The Longford Academy: Conservation Course

In early February I had the privilege of attending The Longford Academy's summer school in building conservation along with 20 other participants from all states and with a variety of backgrounds; from architecture to town planning, as well as conservators, heritage consultants, trades, and students. 

The seven-day intensive introduction course was based at two World Heritage sites: Brickendon and Woolmers Estate. These two sites have particular significance due to their cultural value and connection to the convict history of Australia and are part of the Australian Convict Sites Heritage property.

The course examined building materials, their properties, how they weather and decay, and how they are best conserved through a combination of theory, site inspections, and demonstrations. We also looked at rising damp, salt attack, repointing of masonry, and the reconstruction of corrugated iron roofs.

I found the class theory sessions particularly useful. They were complemented by various site visits around Brickendon and Woolmers estates, which also included an in-depth demonstration of how lime putty and lime mortar were made, culminating in the chance to gain hands-on experience of the lime washing of a wall, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Our days were structured with lectures in the morning followed by an afternoon site visit and ending with further lectures and closing discussions about the day’s learnings. These lectures were led by a group of heritage architects, conservators, and building professionals who were experts in their fields and were able to provide me with greater knowledge on the theoretical basis for building conservation practice.

Overall, I found course to be very insightful and beneficial in growing my knowledge of building conservation practice. The immersive experience provided me with a solid understanding of traditional building materials, techniques, and the principles of conservation. I gained hands-on experience in identifying and addressing issues like masonry decay, timber preservation, and the challenges of integrating modern interventions into heritage contexts. And it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and engage with other professionals in the industry.  

My learnings have already been invaluable in my role at Purcell, where I can apply this knowledge to ensure that our projects not only respect the historical significance of heritage sites, but also enhance their longevity through informed, sustainable conservation practices.