Building palaeopathology: practical applications of archaeological building analysis

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate, to construction professionals, the client benefits of archaeological building analysis.

The principles of the technique are summarised, followed by a summary of the academic and legal contexts in which such analyses are conducted. Three short case studies are presented, followed by methodological conclusions.

The paper finds that after c100 years of methodological development, client interests are not represented in any technical or professional guidance; and that historic buildings are structurally and cosmetically more complex than received architectural histories would have one believe and that much decorative detail is likely to be of relatively recent installation, information that can be of benefit to clients wishing to modify listed and other historic buildings.

While the introductions and legal and academic summaries are international in scope, the case studies are limited to its own work. Nonetheless, the principles established are applicable to all forms of historic buildings and refurbishment projects.

The paper posits that a hitherto regulatory burden can be applied in the clients' interests with only a slight adjustment in approach to well established survey techniques.

While the survey techniques described are well established in archaeological circles, the client‐oriented approach advocated here is not. Construction professionals dealing with historic buildings will find the approach of immediate practical benefit.