To read this content please select one of the options below:

Stonemasonry skills development: two case studies of historic buildings in Scotland

Scott McGibbon (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)
Mohamed Abdel-Wahab (School of the Built Environment, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK)

Structural Survey

ISSN: 0263-080X

Article publication date: 11 July 2016

524

Abstract

Purpose

Scotland’s built heritage (pre-1919 building stock) is exhibiting varying levels of disrepair, in particular for stonemasonry works, despite the government’s on-going efforts for promoting higher standards of repair and maintenance (R & M) of historic buildings. The purpose of this paper is to examine the problems associated with the R & M of historic buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Two case studies (Projects A and B) exhibiting critical disrepair are reported. Site surveying was carried-out on both projects, to identify site features and R & M problems along with proposed solutions drawing on the lead author’s extensive industry experience as a stonemasonry consultant. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals involved in each project to elicit views on the challenges faced. Additionally, three industry experts were interviewed to provide a wider perspective of the R & M challenges facing historic buildings.

Findings

Neglect and poor practice resulted in both projects becoming more challenging and expensive than they needed to be, which was attributed to generic and advanced skills 6deficiencies of the workforce. There is an urgent need for a multi-disciplinary approach to the development of a method statement for R & M, drawing on the expertise of professionals and contractors, particularly when specifying repairs to structural elements.

Originality/value

This paper has provided original and valuable information on R & M problems, highlighting the importance of continued investment in skills development for historic building R & M to enhance existing current training provision and practice. There is a need for further similar project-based data to inform skills development strategies for the R & M of historic buildings as well as enhancing existing qualification frameworks.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the following individuals for their time and support over the course of the study: Geoff Nicolsby, Managing Director of G and L. Enterprises, Ed Kelly, partner in EKJN architects, Bob Heath, Heath Architects and Stone Consultants, John Henderson, Managing Director, Zenith Property Conservation Ltd, Graeme Frame, Managing Director, CBC Stone, Colin Tennant, Head of Traditional Skills & Materials, Historic Scotland, Kevin Calpin, Chief Expert in stonemasonry, WorldSkills.

Citation

McGibbon, S. and Abdel-Wahab, M. (2016), "Stonemasonry skills development: two case studies of historic buildings in Scotland", Structural Survey, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 218-241. https://doi.org/10.1108/SS-03-2015-0016

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles