Conservation Works
Conservation, in the context of built heritage, can include one or more of several processes including maintenance, restoration, reconstruction and preservation.
As experiences conservation architects, RBA have unique skills in researching, designing, documenting and implementing specialist conservation works to a wide range of heritage building types and structures from the early/mid nineteenth century well into the twentieth century.
We take pride in sourcing and implementing both traditional construction methods and crafts, but also in developing innovative contemporary technical solutions where the traditional approach proves unviable.
We can take our clients through their entire conservation journey, from defect identification to administration of works, whilst also weaving in new works to facilitate modernisation and future-proofing.
Initially, RBA will thoroughly review the heritage values of the place and undertake a Building Condition Assessment utilising cutting-edge materials and defect analysis technologies. From this appropriate conservation strategies and remedial works are resolved in consultation with owners and authorities, and also specialist trades where required.
As Registered Architects, RBA have the demonstrated experience and capability to not only resolve appropriate conservation interventions, but to prepare tender and for-construction documents, negotiate with specialist contractors, let contracts and administer same to see the successful implementation of sensitive conservation works.
Do it once and do it right.
Conservation works are typically prioritised and may range from doing very little in the way of physical interventions, undertaking sensitive and minimal repairs, through to recommending full reconstruction or occasionally demolition (a rare outcome which may require an archival record beforehand).
We work to the Burra Charter principle of ‘changing as much as necessary but as little as possible’ (if it aint wrong - dont fix it) – an approach that generates economical restoration solutions for our clients, while also retaining, and importantly respecting, the legibility of the original fabric/presentation.
