Professional and trade bodies: affiliations and memberships
Image: Shippon, Nr Ashford. Grade II listed. Redundant and in need of a new use 2009. Early timber floorboards, possibly elm, to hayloft above. Also contains beautiful Gothick tracery glazing bars (not visible in this picture) highly unusual for a vernacular farm building previously housing sheep.
IHBCAll ConservationWorks staff and consultants are
full or Affiliated members of the Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation. We abide by a code of conduct and actively pursue co-operative and positive working relationships with other members of the Institute in whatever role they play in the historic environment. The Code of Conduct is available here:
IHBC Code of Conduct
Society Of Architectural Historians of Great Britain
Staff are encouraged to develop their fields of interest and expertise through joining appropriate Societies and Associations. ConservationWorks is an Institutional Member of the SAHGB as our specialist interest is in the history and physical evolution of historic buildings, as well as their proper care, repair and conservation, with particular reference to Country Houses.
Image: The Latin School, Wye. Grade I listed. Vacant 2009 but, in a prominent High Street location, watched and cared for.
SPAB Corporate Membership
ConservationWorks supports the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings as Corporate Members.
Membership requiries signing up to both The SPAB Manifesto and to a declaration that our work is conducted in line with, and guided by the spirit of, the SPAB Principles, which are:
Repair not restoration Although no building can withstand decay, neglect and depredation entirely, neither can aesthetic judgement nor archaeological proof justify the reproduction of worn or missing parts. Only as a practical expedient on a small scale can a case for restoration be argued.
Responsible methods A repair done today should not preclude treatment tomorrow, nor should it result in further loss of fabric.
Complement not parody New work should express modern needs in a modern language. These are the only terms in which new can relate to old in a way which is positive and responsive at the same time. If an addition proves essential, it should not be made to out-do or out-last the original.
Regular maintenance This is the most practical and economic form of preservation.
Information To repair old buildings well, they must be understood. Appreciation of a building's particular architectural qualities and a study of its construction, use and social development are all enlightening. These factors also help us to see why decay sets in and how it may be put right.
Essential work The only work that is unquestionably necessary (whether it be repair, renewal or addition) is that essential to a building's survival.
Integrity As good buildings age, the bond with their sites strengthens. A beautiful, interesting or simply ancient building still belongs where it stands however corrupted that place may have become. Use and adaptation of buildings leave their marks and these, in time, we also see as aspects of the building's integrity. This is why the Society will not condone the moving or gutting of buildings or their reduction to mere facades. Repairs carried out in place, rather than on elements dismantled and moved to the workbench, help retain these qualities of veracity and continuity.
Fit new to old When repairs are made, new material should always be fitted to the old and not the old adapted to accept the new. In this way, more ancient fabric will survive.
Workmanship Why try to hide good repairs? Careful, considered workmanship does justice to fine buildings, leaving the most durable and useful record of what has been done. On the other hand, work concealed deliberately or artificially aged, even with the best intentions, is bound to mislead.
Materials The use of architectural features from elsewhere confuses the understanding and appreciation of a building, even making the untouched parts seem spurious. Trade in salvaged building materials encourages the destruction of old buildings, whereas demand for the same materials new helps keep them in production. The use of different but compatible materials can be an honest alternative.
Respect for age Bulging, bowing, sagging and leaning are signs of age that deserve respect. Good repair will not officiously iron them out, smarten them or hide the imperfections. Age can confer a beauty of its own. These are qualities to care for, not blemishes to be eradicated.
Corporate Membership of this kind by any organisation does not imply, nor should it be inferred, that we or any other company are accredited or professionally approved by the Society.
www.spab.org.uk