English Heritage undertakes strategic research to better understand risks to the built environment and technical means to conserve it. Much of this is carried out in partnership with other organisations or academic institutions, which provide complementary expertise and analytical resources.
Research agendas are formulated within the corporate plan of English Heritage, which identify areas of strategic need. In terms of technical research, the prevailing themes are:
- measuring threat: studying the reasons for risk and devising responses
- keeping it safe: protection and conservation
‘Building environment’ is the interaction of a building with its surroundings, which includes both natural and man-made conditions. Much deterioration of a historic building is a result of this environment, constantly changing in a dynamic, interactive way. Water in its various forms plays a pivotal role in most processes of material decay.
Studies looking at the building environment and deterioration, and how this can be manipulated in favourable terms, are the basis for much conservation research. This research has to be designed specifically for traditional materials and structures, as investigations into building physics by industry normally focus on modern buildings.
Research takes the form of:
- applying innovative preventive techniques to real problems in a historic building or site
- modifying the environment in a historic building or site and monitoring its effect
- auditing previous research or environmental monitoring programmes
- studying building physics in laboratory simulations
- surveying problematical or undeveloped technical responses
The objective of these investigations is ultimately to enhance the preservation of historic buildings and monuments through passive or preventive means, to create more benign environmental conditions.
English Heritage disseminates the results of its research through professional conferences, academic publications and practical guidance to affect positive changes in the management of the built environment.
For further information on the technical conservation research at English Heritage, contact the Conservation Department.
