Conservation Objectives
The practical application of on-site repairs to historic timber buildings is dependent upon the good judgement of skilled conservation carpenters who must practice their craft within the context of many (often competing) objectives that may include:
- Long-term Objectives
- Contract Requirements
- Aesthetics
- Program Restrictions
- National and International Conservation Charters and Policies
- Cost
- Environmental Policies
- Practicality of Proposed Repairs and/or Specifications
- Health & Safety Considerations
- On-site Conditions
It must also be remembered that the specifications for repair work will typically have been specified in advance, and conditions may well have changed during the period between drafting the specification and the start of the practical work on site.
For these reasons, it is important that all stakeholders (typically including the Client, Architect, and all conservation advisors) have a high degree of confidence in the carpenters that are selected to perform the actual work. However, this in itself is not sufficient to ensure that ‘best practices’ will always be followed. There will inevitably remain a large degree of subjectivity in the carpenter’s assessment of and response to the evolving situation.
Degrees of Subjectivity
The conservation of historic timber buildings is a fluid process, where new and important information is often learned as part of the physical work.
For example, previously undocumented evidence can be revealed through the partial dismantling of a building’s fabric during repairs. Likewise, the true nature and extent of damage, rot and/or other changes to the historic fabric (like building layout) is often fully revealed only when repair work is well underway.
In simple terms, no individual can be sufficiently aware of all the competing objectives, or have all of the necessary skills to ensure that all stakeholders will be satisfied with each particular intervention; nor is it realistic to provide for every eventuality through the production of evermore complicated and detailed specifications.
Instead, carpenters should be provided with a series of objective tools to help them make clear and informed decisions when on site.
Eyes and Ears
Given the practicalities and limitations of site work, the carpentry team must serve as the ‘eyes and ears’ of a wider team of consultants and advisors who cannot always be present on site, or who can only visit the site periodically.
These consultants and advisors are usually involved in the appraisal and specification of repairs, work scheduling and the preparation of repair methodologies.
For this reason, the field team must be capable of preparing condition assessments to common standards and high levels of detail.
