Conservation services for traditional and listed buildings in Scotland

Crowstep Conservation provides architecture led advice for traditional and historic buildings. Work ranges from early stage fabric review and conservation strategy through to listed building consent, sensitive adaptation, technical design and project coordination.

The practice is concerned with how buildings are understood before decisions are made. Condition, significance, construction, use and setting are considered together, so that repair and change are proportionate to the building rather than imposed on it.

Conservation architect inspecting traditional masonry

01

Diagnosis

Understanding what is happening before deciding what to do.

Crowstep carries out fabric reviews and condition assessments for traditional and historic buildings, identifying visible defects, patterns of failure, maintenance issues and matters requiring further specialist investigation. Reports are written to support proportionate decisions, not to generate unnecessary work.

  • Defect diagnosis and investigation
  • Fabric inspections and condition reports
  • Quinquennial and cyclical inspections
  • Inspection reports for churches, estates, and traditional houses
  • Annotated records of defects and material condition

02

Strategy

Deciding what should happen, when, and how it can be justified.

Once the condition, significance and constraints of a building are understood, Crowstep develops conservation strategies that are proportionate, achievable and defensible. Advice may include repair approach, phasing, statutory consent, listed building implications and the coordination of further specialist input where required.

  • Repair and maintenance strategies
  • Listed Building Consent and heritage submissions
  • Heritage Statements and statements of significance
  • Advice on alteration, extension, and reuse
  • Technical support during grant or consent processes
Close inspection of historic building fabric
Historic decorative tiles

03

Design

Translating conservation judgement into drawings, information and instructions.

Technical information is prepared to support consent, tendering and construction, with proposals coordinated around the building’s condition, significance and construction. Where specialist lime, mortar, stone or materials analysis is required, Crowstep identifies the need for appropriate specialist input.

  • Design work within listed and protected settings
  • Alterations, adaptation, and extension to traditional buildings
  • Technical drawings and specifications for consent and construction
  • Interior reordering within traditional buildings
  • Integration of services within historic fabric

04

Projects

Project coordination and contract administration for conservation led building work.

Ashley can act as contract administrator for projects he has designed or coordinated, maintaining continuity from inspection through to completion.

  • Support for owners and estates managing ageing buildings
  • Tender packages and construction information
  • Project coordination and contract administration for works.
  • Site inspection and repair oversight
  • Coordination of specialist conservation contractors
Construction works on a listed building

This approach draws on direct site experience, including a period as Regional Building Conservation Surveyor at the National Trust for Scotland. More on Ashley’s background.