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Welcome to the July edition of theNBS.com eNewsletter
Guest feature: Making the roof work harder
Demanding more of our roofs means we have to make sure they are designed, specified and installed in such a way that they will perform well throughout their lives. SIG Design & Technology explain how green roofs and photovoltaics offer great opportunities as long as we get it right.
Fire safety and heritage buildings
For historic buildings it is of paramount importance that a well structured and properly implemented fire safety management plan accompanies the fire risk assessment. Peter Barker, Senior Consultant at Chiltern International Fire, outlines the issues and offers practical advice on managing the fire risk in historic buildings.
Video: Working with historic iron and steel structures
The refurbishment or re-use of existing buildings forms a significant part of the workload for many engineers. If you are looking at a metal-framed building or bridge earlier than the mid-20th century, either to assess its condition or to consider a new use for it, it is always important to understand what materials you are dealing with.
New light through old windows
As a term, 'conservation' has an extremely broad meaning which encompasses almost anything that helps to ensure the survival of something of value. With historic buildings, conservation starts with simple maintenance and repair work but also includes alterations and other proactive measures.
Video: Understanding historic concrete
Concrete is used more than any other man-made material and the UK has a vast number of concrete structures of varying ages. This programme aims to give the engineer a feel for what is likely to be found at different dates and with different types of structures.
Conserving energy
The recent changes to the Building Regulations (E&W) Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power (due to come into force on 1st October 2010), represent an awareness that meeting the targets requires action at every level of construction in the UK, especially work to existing building stock.
New titles from www.ribabookshops.com
This month we highlight a selection of new and forthcoming building conservation titles, available from the RIBA Bookshops website.
The Green Guide for Historic Buildings: How to improve the environmental sustainability of listed and historic buildings –
An essential and comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to refurbish, restore or reuse a listed or historic building. The Green Guide for Historic Buildings is an accessible guide with wide-ranging application for both professionals and those new to the fields of heritage and climate change. Although the guide focuses on listed buildings it has direct relevance and application to many areas of conservation and in particular unlisted historic buildings.
Also from RIBA Bookshops:
Build-On: Converted Architecture and Transformed Buildings – Build-On is a collection of phenomenal architectural transformations that bring new life and function to existing structures. Exceptional examples of large-scale radical renovations and adaptations are featured along with creative transformations of smaller building units in the urban and rural context.
Under the Open Sky. Emscher Landscape Park – Even in an international context, the Emscher Landscape Park represents the most significant effort to date to use landscape architecture to revitalize a former industrial region. It is remarkable for the sheer variety of its built projects as well as the calibre of its participants.
All books listed above are available to order from www.ribabookshops.com, from the mail order department: +44 (0) 207 256 7222 and from RIBA Bookshops in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.
Recommended website
Funds for Historic Buildings
A comprehensive guide to funding for anyone seeking to repair, restore or convert for a new use any historic building in England and Wales.
Looking at Buildings
Looking at Buildings has been created by the Pevsner Architectural Guides. The site includes sections on understanding buildings, exploring buildings, concentrating on the buildings of selected British cities, a glossary and links.
Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB)
SPAB is the largest, oldest and most technically expert national pressure group fighting to save old buildings from decay, demolition and damage. Includes technical advice and articles.
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As of November 2008,