An A-Z glossary on the theme of ‘building conservation’, containing a definition for each letter of the alphabet (where possible).
St John the Baptist Church, Aldbury Parish © English Heritage/National Monuments
Building conservation is the process of maintaining a valued building or place to keep its appearance and historical significance in tact.
The A Z glossary for buildings and places can be used as:
- a straightforward research tool for teachers and students
- a reference point for students during a unit or scheme of work on buildings and places
- introductory activities for a new learning session or scheme of work on buildings and places
- a way of developing classroom discussion.
Building conservation: A-Z glossary
Ancient monument A monument that is protected because it is considered to be of public interest by the Secretary of State for its historical and architectural importance. An ancient monument can be a building, a structure or a site, such as Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
Conservation The process of maintaining a valued building or place to keep its appearance and historical significance in tact. It may include the preservation, restoration, reconstruction or adaptation of a building.
Galleting The act of placing stone chips into joints of rough wall masonry to decrease the amount of mortar required. This technique is useful in the repair of stone walls.
Historic-value Referred to buildings which provide an insight into the culture and lifestyle of moments in history.
Jos A tool used in the process of repairing or cleaning a building. It is a low-pressure water system designed to carefully clean old stone walls.
The launch of the White Tower conservation project South elevation: The White Tower © Historic Royal Palaces
Keystone A wedge-shaped block that is used at the top of an arch to support a structure. It forms an important part of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park corner in London.
Listed building A building that is protected from demolition or alteration due to its unique architectural or historical importance. The De La Warr Pavilion is a Grade I-listed building, a great example of Modernism.
Mortar A paste formed by a mixture of lime or cement, sand and water used for pasting bricks and stones together.
Nebulous spray machine A machine that showers a cloudy mist of cleaning fluid, to gently clean the walls of old buildings.
Ossature A skeleton of a building, such as a frame or the ribs of a vault inside a church.
Pointing Using cement or mortar to fill the gaps in brickwork or masonry.
Restoration The repairing and refurbishment of a historic property.
Thatch A thick roof covering made from reed, rushes or straw used over thousands of years. The UK has more thatched roofs than any other European country. You can still see this type of roof on some medieval churches, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.
Underpinning The process of supporting a structure from underneath by laying a solid foundation or replacing weak materials with stronger materials.
Wattle and daub A material formerly used to build walls created from flexible wooden sticks covered by mud or clay. It can be seen at Shakespeare’s House in Stratford-upon-Avon.
X-ray An electromagnetic wave that scans through materials to examine their detail for conservation purposes.
Yelm A straight bundle of reeds or straw used in thatching a roof.
More A-Z glossaries
Go back to the complete list of A-Z glossaries for buildings and places, and associated class activities.
