REMH05-Practical Building Conservation & Repair

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: h.j.g.russell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Materials used in historic buildings generally perform differently from those in modern construction and students will gain an understanding of historic masonry and brickwork, traditional mortars and renders, ironwork, timber framing, roofing, and glazing. The module also covers the sources of information that were available to architects and buildings in the past, still very relevant today.

Aims:

This module aims to provide the student with knowledge and understanding of a range of traditional materials and techniques, including lime mortars and plasters, stone masonry, brickwork, timber framing, roof tiling and slating, ironwork, concrete, and paint finishes. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module, students, should be able to: 

• evidence an understanding of a range of traditional building materials and techniques; 


• explain and justify the process of manufacture and construction of traditional building elements; 


• critically assess a range of traditional materials such that appropriate repair techniques can be recommended and justified; 


• insightfully interpret the maintenance implications of the fabric of historic buildings.

Additional outcomes:

• Enhance oral and communication skills through discussions and presentations in seminar sessions; 


• Develop academic report writing skills through the module assignment.

Outline content:

• Maintenance and repair of historic buildings 


• Stonemasonry, the material and its craft 


• Brick, its manufacture and use in buildings 


• Roofing materials for pitched and flat roofs 


• Timber and joinery 


• Interiors, including paints and finishes 


• Metalwork, including iron, lead, copper, zinc, etc. 


• Traditional methods of care and repair

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is delivered in a block release format that involves a four-day face to face teaching block with pre-course preparation plus online post-teaching support. The module is taught in an interactive format through seminars and workshops. An assessed individual project is the consolidating and integrating vehicle for the taught material. Students are encouraged to share information via Blackboard in the extended online support period which follows the face –to- face element. An online discussion of the case studies between tutors and students supports the assessment in this module. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework:  

A major project, assesses all the learning outcomes of this module. Guide length 5,000 words. 

Assignment submission deadline: 14:00 BST, Tuesday  Term 3 Week 6 

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 27 August 2020