Historic Properties & Building Regulations - Dissertation

[EViS]

I feel that looking at the balance between energy conservation and building conservation would be the easiest choice for an undergrad dissertation. Primarily due to, as has already been pointed out by many of you, the wealth of information already out there.

However, Lime's suggestion of 'What are building regulations for' is also a good one. I could base the dissertation on historic buildings as well as today's new builds, and in the process refer to past and current building regulations. I'm off to research this suggestion a bit more now. In the mean time, does anyone have any further suggestions on the smaller questions which should be asked/answered in this topic?

 

[rogerh]

Unless you're doing something pretty major that requires planning permission (as opposed to only LBC) you may never have any dealings with a building inspector and therefore not worry too much about exact compliance with building regulations. I'd say that the biggest issue with period properties is time. Modern building methods are designed for fast work by often low-skilled labour - chipboard floor panels, plasterboard, push-fit plumbing, adhesives, etc. Conservation is time consuming both because the methods involved are labour intensive (and more often craft-based) and because you're often re-using materials rather than ripping out and replacing with new.