The Building Conservation Directory 2021

INTER IORS 5 153 C AT H E D R A L C O MM U N I C AT I O N S T H E B U I L D I N G C O N S E R VAT I O N D I R E C T O R Y 2 0 2 1 information you can provide to your potential advisor the better. Also, it is important to consider carefully whether the project expectations are realistic in terms of the time, budget and other resources which are available. This might be a good moment to indulge in watching a few episodes of Grand Designs – a quick way to learn from the mistakes made by others. The brief should explain not only what you want to do but also what you are hoping to achieve with the project. What is your ideal end result? Investing time in writing a clear and comprehensive brief is a worthwhile investment, as a poorly defined brief can cause problems further down the line when it becomes clear that the client and the professional have a different understanding about the ‘agreed’ course of action. FINDING THE RIGHT HERITAGE PROFESSIONALS Even for readers of The Building Conservation Directory , finding the right professional or craftsperson may seem like a daunting challenge as there are so many different disciplines in the heritage sector, and carrying out research to establish a viable shortlist is essential. Happily, there are some easy ways to narrow the potential field. The first step is to assemble a list of specialists in the chosen field. Building conservation is not necessarily a core element of training programmes for architects or surveyors, and generally good practitioners will have chosen to undertake further training to gain the knowledge needed to deal with historic buildings. In recognition of this, most of the heritage professions (architecture, engineering, surveying, archaeology and object conservation) maintain registers of members who have been able to demonstrate that they have expertise in their specialist field. In order to achieve accredited status, conservation professionals must prove that they have an in-depth knowledge of conservation techniques and practices, a high degree of professional competence, sound judgement and a deep understanding of the principles which underpin their practice. By undertaking the accreditation process, they are obliged to demonstrate they are proficient and professional and that they are committed to maintaining their expertise through ongoing professional development (CPD). Only individuals are Surface consolidation and repairs being carried out by Icon-accredited conservator Peter Martindale ACR to the surface of the spectacular 15th-century Doom painting at St Thomas’s, Salisbury (Photo: Jonathan Baker)