Introduction
Buildings form an integral part of our historic environment. The conservation, remodelling or demolition of historic structures often requires archaeological mitigation through the production of a historic standing building record. Equally, many landowners simply want to find out more about the history of their property.
Triskele Heritage provide expert services in high quality investigation, analysis and reporting on historic buildings to standards set by Historic England. Our skillsets include photography, metric drawings, archival research, map regression and detailed physical investigation of the built environment. We can provide basic visual records, descriptive records, analytic records or comprehensive analytic records according to your requirements.
We have over twenty years of experience of recording buildings across all periods in time (from the early mediaeval era through to twentieth century architecture) and in a wide variety of types of structures including residential, military, civic, ecclesiastical, industrial and agricultural.
Buildings archaeology does not have to be linked to statutory planning regulations – we are more than happy to get involved with academic, community or private commissions.
Types of Surveys
One-day Visual Survey
A rapid, visual survey of your property which will help you to understand the dates of the principal phases, interesting features or fixtures and an idea of how the structure has developed over the years. One-day surveys are in-person and usually last around 6 hours during which all areas of the property will be inspected. At the end of the day we will give you a guided tour of the building to explain the findings verbally. There is no written report with this survey but clients are welcome to take notes. However, the one-day survey is a good basis for our other services…
Historic Building Assessment
Essentially, a one-day survey (see above) coupled with a brief illustrated write-up of the findings. Imagery is limited to photography only unless there are pre-existing floor plans etc which can be incorporated. The report will outline the structural development of the building and make recommendations for future research.
Level 2 Historic Building Survey
A descriptive record of the building which will be based on a site visit. The survey will outline the archaeological development and functions of the structure but will not provide a comprehensive discussion or context for the conclusions. The report will be accompanied by photographs and annotated floor plans of the building.
Find out more about Level 2 surveys in the Historic England’s guidance document: Understanding Historic Buildings (2016).
Level 3
An analytical record of the building which will be based on fieldwork at the property. The survey will detail the origins, development and use of the structure and will be a fully referenced account which will provide context for the findings. There will also be an outline of the historic background of the building gleaned from an assessment of readily available mapping, trade directories, published sources &c. The report will be accompanied by photographs plus annotated and phased floor plans of the building.
Find out more about Level 3 surveys in the Historic England’s guidance document: Understanding Historic Buildings (2016).
Level 4
A fully comprehensive record of the building that will build upon all of the sources relied on during a Level 3 survey (see above) and develop them further. We work alongside expert house historians to collaborate on a full archival search for records relating to the property and its former occupants. This will provide a complete background history for the building that will sit alongside an archaeological analysis of the structure to fully establish the architectural, social, regional and economic context of the building. The report will be accompanied by photographs plus annotated and phased drawings of the building that may include floor plans, internal and external elevations and sectional elevations through the structure.
Find out more about Level 4 surveys in the Historic England’s guidance document: Understanding Historic Buildings (2016).
So if you have a desire to find out more about the history of your house, place of work or local pub, please do get in contact!
Please do have a look at our testimonials page to see what our clients have made of our services…
