Scottish Canals’ Post

Building Conservation We aim to understand the root causes of decay and find the most suitable and feasible solution to preserve the historic building. Whenever possible, we provide solutions in compliance with conservation principles, such as minimum intervention and reversibility. We have vast experience with various historical materials from different ages, including stone, brick, mortar, plaster and render, terracotta and faience, concrete and cast stone and metals. Our in-house laboratories and experts (geologists, chemists and material engineers) provide valuable, seamless support for investigating decay and specifying compatible repair materials. We assist in identifying the best strategies to improve the hygrothermal performance of historic buildings through analytical tools. Find out more about Building Conservation services by Sandberg: https://lnkd.in/eHtByQ3r #buildingconservation #buildingsurveyor #historicbuildings #restoration #conservation #architecture #historicpreservation #historicbuildings

One of the advantages of working in the Architecture – Historic Preservation field is the opportunity to assess, stabilize, restore, and rehabilitate interesting and distinctive historic buildings and structures. Among our various services and diverse experiences is assessing the unique structure of log cabins. Log cabins use somewhat unusual building materials, employ a distinctive structural system, and simplified programmatic layouts all of which contribute to unique deterioration problems. Assessing a cabin includes determining the condition of the wood, overall structural stability, checking for insect and avian infestations and evaluating the horizontal spaces or joints between logs, known as chinking and daubing. Recently, AltusWorks assessed the condition of a log cabin where we performed a knife test to check the condition of the wood logs for rot and insect infestation as well as identified incompatible modern chinking and daubing replacement materials. We are proud to be involved in the preservation of all types of buildings and structures! Check out the photos below of our recent log cabin assessment. Ellen Stoner Melissa Smith Austin Villejo #HistoricArchitecture #HistoricBuildings #LogCabins #WoodStructures #Assessment #HistoricPreservation #Preservation #BuildingRestoration #Repair #Inspection #Architecture #Chicago #Illinois

🌟 Highlighting Heritage Restoration: one of Martin Closs's Favourite Projects 🌟 At Acorn Builders, every project tells a story, but some resonate on a deeper level. For Martin Closs, one of our dedicated surveyors, the strip-out and restoration of Herstmonceux Castle holds a special place. This incredible project began with a unique challenge: an overflowing moat that threatened the structural integrity of this historic gem. The team’s mission wasn’t just about repair—it was about preservation, ensuring that every step complied with strict heritage regulations while respecting the castle’s centuries-old legacy. 🛠️ Governance at the Core: Preservation projects demand meticulous planning, attention to detail, and unwavering adherence to compliance standards. Martin and the team worked closely with conservation specialists, ensuring that all restoration efforts were not only effective but also aligned with the castle's historic significance. 🌱 From strip-out processes to drainage solutions that harmonise with the ancient architecture, this project showcased our ability to blend innovation with tradition. Herstmonceux Castle is more than a structure—it’s a piece of history. Martin’s passion and expertise brought a new chapter to its story, ensuring it remains a beacon of heritage for generations to come. #HeritagePreservation #AcornBuilders #HistoricRestoration #SurveyorSpotlight #SustainableSolutions

The Gargoyle. Ever wondered the purpose/ origins of these ornate stone carvings? Commmonly found on religious buildings and stately homes the length of the country, these features are a statement of Gothic architecture, originating in their current form in France, we’re the word “gargouille” translates to throat. Historically, they served three purposes: 1) To divert rainwater water away from the roof and the building, preventing erosion of the stonework which is why they have a spout (basically a fancy gutter). 2) To ward off evil spirits, keeping them away from the building and keeping those inside safe. 3) Placed as a reminder that Hell awaits those not attending the church. Grotesques, on the other hand serve only as an ornamental feature, with no practical purpose. Now you know 💭 Harvey Donaldson & Gibson Chartered Surveyors

#Day-6 Some interesting facts and insights #Basement #Ancient Beginnings: The creation of the first basement dates back to ancient times. Early civilizations, such as the Mesopotamians and Egyptians, dug subterranean chambers for various purposes, including storage, shelter, and religious rituals. In ancient Rome, basements, known as "hypogea," were commonly found beneath public buildings, palaces, and wealthy residences. These underground chambers were used for storage, as well as for heating and cooling purposes. #Utilitarian Function: The earliest basements served practical purposes, providing a cool and secure environment for storing food, supplies, and valuable possessions. They were often excavated from natural rock formations or constructed using mudbrick and stone. Labor-Intensive #Construction: Creating the first basements required significant manual labor, as ancient civilizations lacked modern excavation equipment. Workers used hand tools such as picks, shovels, and chisels to dig into the earth or carve out rock formations. Despite limited resources, ancient builders demonstrated remarkable engineering skill in constructing basements. They devised techniques to support the ceilings and walls of underground chambers, often using arches, columns, and buttresses for structural reinforcement. #Location: The location of the first basements was often determined by factors such as topography, soil composition, and the needs of the community. They were situated in areas where the natural terrain or geological features allowed for relatively easy excavation. Enduring #Legacy: The legacy of the first basements lives on in modern construction practices, with underground spaces continuing to play a vital role in architecture and urban planning. Today, basements are integral components of many buildings, providing valuable additional living space, storage, and utility areas. These early underground chambers laid the groundwork for the basements we see today, serving as a reminder of humanity's enduring quest for innovation and practical solutions to everyday challenges. List your #Basement www.hourlyspot.com #hourlyspot #basement #listyourspace pic credit: google

The City of North Olmsted is requesting statements of qualifications from qualified and licensed firms to complete an adaptive reuse preservation plan and architectural assessment for the Old Town Hall building located at 5186 Dover Center Road in North Olmsted, OH. The adaptive reuse preservation plan will include design options that would also protect the unique characteristics of the iconic, historic building. We encourage consultants to look creatively at the entire property and to consider a range of options with realistic possibilities for implementation, with a primary objective of main floor utilization that would benefit the City. Recommendations for reuse should be arrived at utilizing an analysis of the space as well as community needs and incorporating material from recently published reports and studies of the building and other available information. Candidates must meet the criteria Secretary of the Interior Professional Qualification Standards for Architectural History as the plans, specifications, and reports must meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards & Guidelines for Archeology & Historic Preservation as required. Section 112 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Section 106 regulations, at §800.2(a)(1), require agencies responsible for protecting historic properties to ensure that all actions taken by their employees or contractors meet professional standards as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. https://lnkd.in/gyY2RJHD

Termite mounds They can reach impressive heights, sometimes over 3 meters tall, and are highly complex structures, featuring an intricate network of tunnels and chambers that regulate temperature and humidity, creating a stable environment for the termite colony. They help aerate the soil and decompose plant material, enriching the soil with nutrients. Termite mounds are also used as a source of clay for pottery or as a natural indicator of water presence underground. Some traditional medicinal practices involve using parts of the termite mound or the termites themselves. In terms of architecture, the principles of termite mound construction, particularly their ventilation and temperature regulation, have inspired sustainable building designs in modern architecture, known as biomimicry. #funfacts #SustainableAgriculture

The Roman Secret to Durable Concrete Uncovered in Venice - A significant find has been made in the San Felice Canal of the northern Venetian Lagoon, demonstrating the genius of ancient Roman engineering. Researchers have identified the use of pulvis puteolana, a volcanic ash from the Phlegraean Fields near Naples, in a submerged Roman hydraulic structure dating back to the 1st century CE. This finding underscores the enduring legacy of Roman construction techniques and offers inspiration for modern advancements, including the development of sustainable building materials like green concrete. The Rediscovery of Pulvis Puteolana Pulvis puteolana, a material praised by Roman architects like Vitruvius and Pliny the Elder, played a pivotal role in the construction of ancient infrastructure. Known for its extraordinary properties, this volcanic ash enabled Roman mortars and concretes to set even in anaerobic environments, such as underwater. This exceptional capability made it a key component in port infrastructures, cisterns, and other hydraulic structures. Click the link below to read the full story... https://lnkd.in/dghpjmWC

As part our course on Conservation of Monuments it's important that our students engage in practicals especially building materials.Here I got them to build a wall out of miniature terracotta bricks and cement to ensure a holistic understanding of building materials and architecture.The activity not just ensure informal learning and team building, but it was fun as well.Offcourse we used safety equipment to ensure protocols are followed. #Conservation #ConservationOfMonuments #ConservationOfBuiltHeritage #Bricks #BrickMasonry #BuiltHeritage #Practicals

Rate of decay: I took this photograph the other day at English Heritage's Battle Abbey. It is a stone reveal on the Abbey dormitories. It got me thinking about our monuments and the rate in which they decay, the loss of historic features and detailing.  What would you do here? Feel free to list your preference in the comments.A) Nothing, leave as is, it is a natural process of the material.B) Reconstruction of the arch: Carve new stone, using selected similar quarried materials.C) Minor repairs on missing elements/ detailing.D) Addition of some form of covering i.e lead dressings to slow rate of decay.E) Other method not listed here.F) A combination of the above. G) Reface using a stone mix. (Note: For discussion only) #heritage #conservation #construction #architects #buildingsurveying