Heritage Action Zone: upcoming events and workshops

Caring for Old Buildings

Date and time

Tuesday, 24 March, 10am to 4.30pm.

Location

The Mechanics Institute

About the workshop

The Bradford Heritage Action Zone will be hosting The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) to deliver this introductory course to help old building owners, custodians and users develop a better understanding of their building. The course will explain the value of traditional buildings, how they are constructed and differ from new buildings, how they can decay, and how to spot and tackle common problems.

The course includes a walking/observation exercise to look at local building types and will give practical advice for maintenance, dealing with damp and improving your old building for energy efficiency.

This session is free to attend and open to anyone.

How to book

Please email us at [email protected] to book a place.

About the course trainer

James Innerdale is an accredited architect and historic buildings consultant specialising in the repair, conservation, and adaptation of historic buildings. James was awarded the SPAB Scholarship in 1996 and has worked for the SPAB in various technical advice and training roles. James continues to deliver training for the SPAB on a freelance basis, including church maintenance courses and most recently historic building maintenance courses for building users, caretakers and contractors in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Croydon as part of their High Street Heritage Action Zone projects. James has also worked with Historic England, to develop and deliver courses aimed at planners and conservation officers as part of their HELM training programme, as well as providing heritage skills training for a variety of other organisations and audiences around the UK.

Agenda for the day

10am Welcome Introductions and refreshments

10.05am An Introduction to Old Buildings and Conservation What is conservation? Putting conservation ideas into practice - care and repair.

10.50am Questions

10.55am The Construction and Performance of Old Buildings Typical forms of construction and materials - why old buildings are different to new. The need for old buildings to 'breathe'. Spotting and tackling common issues and problems.

11.55am Questions

12 noon Lunch

12.30pm Maintenance Matters! What is maintenance and why is it important? Planning for maintenance and good practice.

1.15pm Questions

1.20pm Walking/Observation Exercise - Practical exercise looking at local building types and potential maintenance issues.

2.45pm Refreshments

3pm Energy Efficiency Upgrading older buildings for energy efficiency without compromising the character and integrity of the building (45 minutes).

3.45pm Working with Professionals - Working with your local conservation planning officer, contractors, architects and specialists. - SPAB tutor (30 minutes).

4.15pm Final Q&A - Questions and discussion session

4.30pm Close