The Role of Measured Surveys in Historical Building Preservation
posted 17th December 2024
There are close to four hundred thousand historically listed buildings in the UK alone. These heritage buildings are important to our culture, community, and character. Imagine Cantebury without its cathedral or London without the London bridge. Architectural structures play an important role in each location.
Of course these historical buildings do start to diminish over time thanks to fluctuating weather patterns, heavy rains, and other weather events, putting these beautiful, yet delicate buildings at risk.
Preserving UK's Rich History
Protecting our rich history is essential for future generations. Preserving historical buildings takes numerous forms from conservation to restoration, to adapting them for other uses.
- Conservation - preserve existing materials and structure by stabilising deteriorated materials, protecting the building from the elements and fixing fragile surfaces
- Restoration - return the building to its original condition or period in history
- Adaptation - finding new functions for the space while preserving the character
Measured Building Surveys in Historical Building Preservation
If you intend altering a historical building in the UK, it is a complex process. If the building is a listed property, you are subjected to very strict guidelines. Even once you have consent from the heritage body and local authority, your proposed changes must be carried out without affecting the character and appearance of the building.
This is challenging for architects, especially when integrating modern amenities into a historical property, while maintaining the historical character. Engineers also face numerous challenges when preserving or altering a historical building in the UK, especially when it comes to stabilising foundations without changing the property's overall appearance.
Measured building surveys can provide a baseline that ensures you know as much as possible about the building before any preservation efforts take place. Using 3D laser scanners and drones, we help you understand the extent of degradation, along with the structural integrity of the building is a non-invasive manner. Measured building surveys provide accurate measurements with easy to visualise formats, helping to reduce costs during the preservation process.
Role of Measured Building Surveys in Historical Building Preservation
Measured building surveys are valuable for historical building preservation, providing the following:
Preserve the Original Design
The data collected during a measured building survey ensures any restoration or preservation work aligns with the buildings original design, specifications, and character. Ensuring guidelines are met and the building is restored to its original glory.
Identify Potential Issues
Buying a historical building, you can expect some degree of degradation. Measured building surveys help to identify structural integrity and degradation, helping you identify what areas of the building need to be focused on to help it back to its original state.
Accurate Design
Architects can use measured building surveys to incorporate modern amenities into historical buildings. With the accurate information in hand, architects can make informed decisions, maximising the use of space, without compromising the character of the building.
Reduces the Risk of Mistakes
Measured buildings are precise and accurate, up to a few millimetres, which is valuable in reducing errors that could cost you a fortune during the historical building preservation process.
Conclusion
Buying a historical building in the UK or preserving a building to keep it at its former glory is not an easy task. It is very complex from securing permission for the preservation, through to ensuring the building maintains its character. At MB Survey Solutions, we have over twenty five years experience providing accurate measured building surveys for historical building preservation. Contact us today to find out more.