International Building Conservation Conference: The repair of old buildings

21 May 2008, University of Dundee

The full day event focused on the use and repair of stone, lime, brick, the structural repair of timber, paint and lead. There were case studies looking at how specialist techniques are put into practise in standard building contracts, as well as opportunities to share knowledge with colleagues from both home and abroad.

The event offered practical value to owners, Architects, Surveyors, Engineers, Conservators, Craftsmen and Contractors by helping to inform them and their professional teams of the means by which conservation repairs should be tackled.

The keynote speaker, Professor Dr Peter Burman MBE introduced issues such as sustainability, ethical intervention, quality and standards. Professor Charles McKean of the University of Dundee, Professor Bill Hamilton of UTM Malaysia and Dr Jaan Tamm, Chairman of the Estonian Heritage Society also participated.

An optional tour was available of the recently restored Gardynes Land in Dundee by Neil Grieve (lecturer at Town & Regional Planning and course director of the university's postgraduate programme on European Urban Conservation), who, with the help of the postgraduate students, led the project throughout.

The International Building Conservation Conference was supported by the following:
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
McCall surveying
Lead Sheet Association
Laing Traditional Masonry
University of Dundee / MSc European Urban Conservation
University of Cottbus
Estonian Heritage Society