Postgraduate Course: Conservation Technology (AREA11017)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Technology is an essential part in any conservation project as it ensures the strength and durability of the original fabric but also deals with certain aspects of the character of the historic building that is transmitted to the future. In this context pathology and repairs are examined both at material and building scale. Technical issues are an integral part of the critical approach to the conservation of a building, so the complex interactions with other values and disciplines are framed in the design process of an intervention.
This is achieved through an overview of technology and associated strategies in conservation. Lectures, site visits and workshops will cover traditional and modernist construction as they are affected by environmental and structural actions.
The course reviews:
1. the pathology of the main materials (timber, brick, stone, concrete, steel) and material systems
2. the structural performance and failure of traditional and modernist buildings
3. repair techniques and strategies
4. design interventions in historic fabric
5. associated topical technical issues in conservation (sustainability, management, maintenance)
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| Course description |
The course aims to develop knowledge and practice around materials properties, techniques, decay, surveying and remedies. The areas covered are:
Traditional (timber, stone, lime, brick) and modern materials (iron, steel, concrete)
Architectural aspects (paint, interiors, roofs, openings, services, comfort)
Appropriate surveying methods
Performance of construction systems
Repair methods
Remedy strategies and decision processes
Associated or topical issues (sustainability, maintenance, regulations, training, procurement, accessibility, fire safety, professional issues, management)
Attendance to all activities is strongly recommended, as a global overview of building pathology is made that represents the complex and heavy transformation buildings are very often found in the process of conservation. This overview is broad instead of very scientific ¿ specific experience with chemical or structural analysis is not expected. You will have though opportunity to concentrate on a material system of your interest in the coursework. Edinburgh offers a good variety of building fabric and pathology, especially for the 19th century.
The course is delivered through weekly lectures on a morning followed by walks, site visits and workshops in the afternoon
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 25,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 3,
Fieldwork Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
158 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
This course has 1 component of assessment.
Technical essay, 4,000 words, 100%, May Exam Diet, individually assessed against all learning outcomes.
Further Information:
This is an individual report of 4,000 words on aspects of conservation technology and repair applied to a building, a material type or a technical or structural problem.
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| Feedback |
Formative Feedback
Students will receive verbal feedback from the tutors during tutorials. Written feedback will be given from the teaching staff on a summary proposal, which is submitted in week 2 and is intended to help the students define a feasible subject (by planning the access, survey and documentation of a chose site) and to set the aims for the first tutorials.
During a formative review (indicative date Week 10) students will present their draft essay on the given project which may incorporate a selection of drawings and analytical diagrams. Further to verbal feedback from staff this work will be updated and formalised for summative submission.
Summative Feedback
Summative feedback will be provided by course tutors on the final submissions. This summative feedback will be written feedback, delivered through Learn. It will be based on a Feedback Rubric, describing the relationship between Learning Outcomes and University of Edinburgh standard grade descriptors. This rubric will be made available through Learn.
Summative feedback will be provided according to University regulations. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of historic building materials, techniques and construction systems, and an awareness of their decay mechanisms, stability and inter-relationships
- Practice skills in surveying building condition, including identifying materials and their decay mechanisms, and in choosing the appropriate recording and technical methods
- Identify critical issues, and develop relevant proposals and analyse options for their resolution, in line with a conservation theory
- Employ reporting and communication skills specific to Conservation Technology and, in particular, the ability to write a coherent paper on a building¿s condition and conservation proposals using appropriate media for their communication
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Reading List
- Beckmann, P. and Bowles, J. 2004. Structural aspects of building conservation. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
- Croci, Giorgio (2001) Conservation and Structural restoration of architectural heritage.
- Institution of Structural Engineers (1991). Guide to surveys and inspections of buildings and similar structures
- Theodossopoulos, D (2012) Conservation theory and fabric. From: Structural Design in Building Conservation, Routledge.
- CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association) 1994. Structural renovation of traditional buildings. Report 111. London: CIRIA.
- Davey, A., Heath, B., Hodges, D., Ketchin, M. and Milne, R. 1981. The care and conservation of Georgian Houses. Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee, London: The Architectural Press
- Feilden, B M. 2003. Conservation of historic buildings. 3rd ed. Amsterdam, London: Architectural Press.
- Forsyth, M. 2007. Structures & Construction in Historic Building Conservation. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
- McMillan, A., Gillanders, R., and Fairhurst, J. A. 1999. Building stones of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Geological Society
- Carbonara, G. 2005. Atlante del restauro. Turin: UTET.
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Additional Information
| Course URL |
https://www.vle.ed.ac.uk/webct/logon/4396395649021 |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Curiosity: The survey and its analysis will prepare you for unexpected situations (especially at survey of existing buildings), but also raise your awareness and practice of important skills in conservation (like surveys applied to building condition and knowledge of traditional building techniques and their repair methods). You will be able to gauge your learning by your degree of satisfaction in providing a solution to a (technical) problem.
Critical thinking: Engaging with the lectures and site visits will help your awareness of the professional and regulatory framework (especially regarding conservation interventions or refurbishment, and the technology of the project), as well as the role of other disciplines in a technical project.
Reflection: By completing coursework, you will practice taking efficient decisions, especially for survey and remedy strategies in the professional context of conservation
Communication: The workshops and coursework will prompt you to record building pathology in a variety of methods and familiarise yourself with the right technical terminology regarding decay and repairs. The peer presentations will also be valuable practise in reporting such technical issues in a concise and engaging manner. |
| Keywords | Technology,materials,construction,condition,repair |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Dimitrios Theodossopoulos
Tel: (0131 6)50 2300
Email: d.theodossopoulos@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel:
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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