New Design for Old Buildings by Roger Hunt

Author:Roger Hunt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RIBA Publishing
Published: 2017-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Understanding Materials

Traditional materials, such as lime, timber, brick and stone, risk being seen as old‑fashioned and unsuited to new design. In reality, they not only have the capacity to offer outstanding aesthetic qualities but come with a record of successful long‑term performance and durability while, in most cases, addressing concerns around embodied carbon and sustainability.

Equally, modern materials bring new and exciting opportunities within the context of new work. The danger is they may be used by default when attempting to bring innovation to a scheme. With any work it should always be that the best material is used rather than a choice based on a preconceived idea.

The use of materials and building methods that are of equal or better quality to those used in the existing structure is always beneficial. Not only does quality enhance design, it ensures survival for future generations with good materials more likely to become part of the natural and graceful ageing of the building. It is worth remembering that, had new or better materials been available, past generations would almost certainly have used them. This brings with it the realisation that, had they been capable of making glass without bubbles and ripples in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Georgians and Victorians would undoubtedly have used it and the faces of many old buildings would have been denied the beauty that comes with these imperfections.

Figure 4.12 A concrete lintel being craned into place at Astley Castle, Warwickshire.

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