COTAC News

In many cases, simple surface repairs can be less intrusive and a suitable alternative to replacing masonry units with new stone. You will be amazed at the results you will be able to achieve after only two days! This course is designed to ensure successful surface repairs to flat work, angles, corners and moulded details. The decay mechanisms of stone will be discussed and we will consider the factors to that should be taken into account when deciding if a surface repair is a suitable alternative to replacement with new stone.

The course will take place on 21-22 May, 2018, in Merryhill Training Centre, Fife.  For more information, see here.

Friday and Saturday, 7-8 September 2018 10am-5pm

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is delighted to announce the launch of the first ever Old House Show, in partnership with Period Living, a free event taking place at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich over two days this September. The Old House Show takes place from Friday 7 September to Saturday 8 September 2018, and will epitomise everything the SPAB stands for. Focusing on the SPAB approach, and our unique emphasis on independent advice, crafts and education, there will be a full programme of talks, building crafts demonstrations and exhibitors with a conservation focus. The Old House Show is for members and non-members alike – and it’s absolutely free!

See here for more details.

Join us for this packed day of activities designed to make you more confident to undertake a scheme of renewing lime mortars on your walls, or simply to become more ‘savvy’ when employing a building contractor. Learn how to accurately proportion out lime mortar components, how to choose a good sand, prepare masonry walls for re-pointing, successful application of lime mortars, finishing techniques and the aftercare required to achieve durable mortar work. This course is delivered by one of our very approachable and suitably experienced stonemason trainers.

This popular one day workshop is aimed at those who would like to undertake repointing works as part of a renovation project or simply as general maintenance to traditional masonry structures. A practical ‘hands on’ training day, attendees will learn to undertake repointing works to with confidence. This course will give a sound understanding of traditional building technology, repair techniques and the materials to use when carrying out repointing. Attendees are encouraged to bring along images of their projects to discuss with the SLCT tutor on the day.

The course will take place on 12 May, 2018, in Merryhill Training Centre, Fife.  For more information, see here.

Participate now in the H4PE Photo Contest!

See here for February’s winners, or see here to enter April’s contest!

Have your work displayed in Amsterdam at the World Architecture Festival where the shortlisted images will be seen by the largest international gathering of architects.

The Architectural Photography Awards is THE Award for the photography of architecture and the built world, with unrivalled coverage and the highest standard of entries, judged by architectural professionals.

Since its inception in 2012 and with the support of the World Architecture Festival and STO SE & Co.KGaA, the Awards coverage has moved from local trade papers to global news media and offers cash prizes for photographers; $3000, $1000 and 2 x $250.

The Awards is inclusive of both full time professional and keen amateur photographers.

Image categories include Exteriors, Interiors, Buildings in Use, and Sense of Place with a specific category for images taken on a mobile device. There is a portfolio category for images of a single cultural building.

To enter visit www.photocrowd.com/apa and don’t forget (top tip) to always read the brief.

It is the aim of the Council on Training in Architectural Conservation (COTAC) to advance the education and training of all those involved in the protection, preservation, and sustainability of the historic environment, and to provide knowledge and information in support of the arts and skills required to do so.

 

In pursuing these charitable activities, COTAC relies heavily on the voluntary participation of organisational representatives from across the UK and beyond. It achieves this through enabling the regular 6-monthly pan-professional ‘Edinburgh Group’ meetings, and in the setting up of occasional short-term Working Groups focused on dealing with specific issues, such as its ‘BIM4Conservation Group’.

 

In return, COTAC offers an increasingly supportive range of relevant e-learning materials and contact information. It is therefore pleased to launch a list of organisations as its named “Supporters” on its website at: http://cotac.global/about/

All European Academies publishes The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, Revised Edition.

Research is the quest for knowledge obtained through systematic study and thinking, observation and experimentation. While different disciplines may use different approaches, they share the motivation to increase our understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live. Therefore, “The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity” applies to research in all scientific and scholarly fields.

It can be accessed here.

The Research Data Alliance (RDA) builds the social and technical bridges that enable open sharing of data.

The RDA vision is researchers and innovators openly sharing data across technologies, disciplines, and countries to address the grand challenges of society.

Find out more on the RDA website.

Welcome to the new-look Heritage Portal.

The Heritage Portal is your online resource for Cultural Heritage research. It is a place to share news, opportunities and research findings; to participate in forum discussions, ask questions, connect with other experts in your field and explore new areas of interest. The Heritage Portal is your community and we want you to get involved.

What is MDCS?

MDCS – the Monument Diagnosis and Conservation System – is an interactive support tool for the inventory and evaluation of damage to monumental buildings. During visual inspections MCDS helps to identify the types of materials and the types of damage. Based on the damage types found, hypotheses on possible causes are suggested. On the basis of the final diagnosis, conservation can be planned.

See the website for more details.