Conservation of the Historic Environment - MA / PgCert / PgDip

This module is designed to develop the essential skills and knowledge required to understand basic concepts of conservation of the historic environment. Within the module key concepts will be covered such as the philosophy and ethics that underpin all conservation decisions, the legislation that affects the historic environment, the definition of ‘significance’ relating to conservation, and a broad understanding of the British buildings – materials and forms. All of these will relate back to the primary question ‘What constitutes the Historic Environment and why does it matter?’

The conservation of historic materials workshops aim to give each student a practical experience of a number of materials and techniques (including site visits) which are an essential part of conservation work. They offer opportunities to work with various materials and situations and understand the way they were utilised in different periods of history.

Those involved with the management of our heritage work with a finite resource which they must manage appropriately to ensure its long-term survival. This module is designed to develop your understanding of constructive conservation - from the identification of building defects and the palette of remediation techniques, through accessing funding, knowledge of contemporary issues of energy efficiency, ideas of localism in relation to the historic built environment as well as approaches to sustainable heritage management.

The building elements and the historic environment module aims to give you a practical experience of a number techniques (including site visits) which are an essential part of conservation work.

This module is designed to develop the essential skills and knowledge required to understand basic concepts of conservation of the historic environment. Within the module key concepts will be covered such as the philosophy and ethics that underpin all conservation decisions, the legislation that affects the historic environment, the definition of ‘significance’ relating to conservation, and a broad understanding of the British buildings – materials and forms. All of these will relate back to the primary question ‘What constitutes the Historic Environment and why does it matter?’

The conservation of historic materials workshops aim to give each student a practical experience of a number of materials and techniques (including site visits) which are an essential part of conservation work. They offer opportunities to work with various materials and situations and understand the way they were utilised in different periods of history.

All buildings constructed before the mid nineteenth century would have used lime for mortar, render, plaster and limewash. Lime allows buildings to ‘breathe’, but it is sometimes tricky to use and takes longer to apply, dry and finish than modern cements. If you live, work or own an old property using cement for repairs will damage the fabric of the building so this is your chance to understand the lime cycle and enjoy practical hands on sessions pointing and plastering using lime. This course takes place at Llanymynech Limeworks in North Shropshire.

If you work in a stone building this two-day course will help you understand why and how stone decays and the appropriate repair or conservation techniques. Demonstrations from a stone mason will complement lectures from architectural conservation staff.

A number of experts will excite you with the variety of twentieth-century buildings and the materials. Concrete repairs will be covered in detail. There will also be case studies on successful conservation projects.

Bricks, terracotta, faience and tiles – all of these form part of many historic buildings. Do you know how they are made, how they decay and how to repair, replace or conserve them? This hands-on course will include a trip to the newly refurbished Jackfield Tile Museum.

This workshop looks at the historical background of ferrous and non ferrous metals, their methods of production, the reasons for decay and the appropriate conservation techniques for lead, wrought and cast iron. Students will get a feel for iron repair by trying their hand at blacksmithing.

Nearly all historic properties will have wood in them - whether as windows, joists, floors or doors. Some buildings are also structurally made from wood with timber frames. The first day of this course will deal with the conservation of non structural timber in buildings – using Treasures Workshop in Ludlow. The second day will deal with the history of and problems with timber framed buildings. Current repair techniques will be demonstrated using local experts.

You’ll study how a traditional landed estate used to be managed and how it manages to make it’s way in the 21st century. Are there compromises to be made over re-using farm buildings? If the estate contains listed buildings, scheduled monuments and a registered park or garden, how are funding targets met? The course will be held at a privately owned estate near Shrewsbury. The second day looks at the history and management of historic parks and gardens.

This two-day practical course in recording techniques for standing buildings is ideal for those commissioning work – to enable you to read and understand plans, and for those wishing to understand their building.

Using Wightwick Manor as a case study the day will progress to how the National Trust conservators identify the agents of deterioration within the mansion and deal with both preventative and remedial conservation. The second day will look at the dating of interiors through studies of textiles, and fixtures and fittings. 

This course emphasises the canal heritage of the West Midlands and looks at planning, conservation and sustainability. It involves site visits, a canal trip with staff from the Canals and Rivers Trust and a session on the conservation of canal vessels.