Condition Surveys of Historic Buildings

Overview

Condition surveys of historic buildings require an understanding of architectural and construction history, as well as the ability to analyse and prioritise defects. This course aims to give participants an understanding of traditional construction and its defects and to provide the skills to carry out balanced and informed surveys of historic buildings.

The course is designed for built environment professionals who are responsible for the repair, maintenance and management of heritage assets, public sector planning and conservation professionals, and owners of heritage assets. It includes two site visits to historic properties for survey exercise.

Programme details

Tuesday 6 May 2025
8.30am- Registration and coffee/tea
9.00am- Welcome and introduction
9.15am- Surveying historic buildings (Henry Russell)
10.30am- Coffee/tea
11.00am- Historic buildings and engineering (Sinclair Johnston)  
12.30pm- Lunch
1.15pm- Non-destructive surveying techniques (Robert Demaus)
2.45pm- Coffee/tea
3.00pm- Historic Buildings and Energy Efficiency (Laura Bellamy)
4.30pm- Agencies of decay (Jagjit Singh)
5.30pm- Break
8.00pm- Traditional building construction (optional session)

Wednesday 7 May 2025
8.00am- Breakfast (residents only)
9.00am- Fire protection in historic buildings (Bridget Litchfield)
10.30am- Coffee/tea
10.45am- Depart for site visit for the group work exercise
A packed lunch will be available for participants who have booked lunch 
5.30pm- Return to Rewley House

Thursday 8 May 2025
8.00am- Breakfast (residents only)
9.00am- Church inspections
10.00am- Coffee/tea
10.30am- Visit to a church or chapel for survey exercise
12.30pm- Lunch
1.30pm- Practical group work exercise, writing up and presenting reports of 
the site visits
3.00pm- Tea/coffee
3.30pm- Debrief and discussion
4.00pm- End
 

Digital Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. 

Fees

Description Costs
Tuition (includes coffee/tea) £640.00
Dinner Tuesday £28.50
Dinner Wednesday £28.50
Lunch Day 1: Hot Lunch £19.25
Lunch Day 3: Hot Lunch £19.25
Packed Lunch for Wednesday £10.00
Single Standard room with Breakfast (2 Nights) £226.00

Payment

Payment of fees must be made in full at the time of booking.

Please note that businesses and organisations can be invoiced on provision of a Purchase Order and completed application form. These can be emailed to the CWHE Programme Administrator, email: cwhe@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Tutors

Mr Robert Demaus

Tutor

Demaus Building Diagnostics Ltd

Mr Sinclair Johnston

Tutor

ByrneLooby International Engineering Design Consultancy

Bridget Litchfield

Tutor

Business and Safety Officer, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service

Mr Henry Russell

Course Director

Lecturer in Conservation of the Historic Environment, Reading University. Henry Russell is a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Building’s casework committee, co-chair of the Heritage Alliance’s Spatial Planning Advocacy Group and a membership assessor for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. He served on the Church of England’s Church Buildings Council and was Chair of Gloucester Diocesan Advisory Committee.

Dr Jagjit Singh

Tutor

Dr. Jagjit Singh, a Mycologist and Building Pathologist, founded Environmental Building Solutions Ltd in 1999, specialising in building health problems, heritage conservation and environmental issues. He has over 25 years' experience as a building pathologist, environmental health scientist with expertise in heritage conservation, Indoor air quality & health in the UK and abroad in both academic and commercial environments. 

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available to book for this course at Rewley House. If you have any questions regarding the accommodation please get in touch with Continuing Education Residential Centre res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk.

All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished and each room has tea and coffee making facilities, Freeview television, and Free WiFi and private bath or shower rooms.