H+R - Key Persons
Andrew Joined H+R in 2018 as a specialist timber surveyor and timber engineer. He specialises in the provision of timber structure analysis and consultancy advice to architects and structural engineers. With years spent as a conservation carpenter and framer, he has gained a significant understanding of how the historic built timber environment was fashioned as well as the practical skills and knowledge of how to sympathetically repair, reconstruct and conserve these significant historic structures.
Andy joined H+R in 2012. Recent areas of work include historic research of buildings and local areas for inclusion in conservation management plans and national databases, energy management (both building and conservation) and the interpretation of associated data for key buildings in the National Trust's portfolio, as well as degree day analysis used to help focus future goals and milestones for energy efficiency. His interest lies in continuing to integrate his scientific background with his interest and knowledge of the conservation of historic buildings and areas. Particular areas of interest are environmental monitoring and building pathology and diagnosis leading to the rectification of building failures.
Bradley obtained a Combined Honours degree in History and Archaeology from the University of Exeter in 2009. He followed this with more than a decade of experience in residential development, project management and new-build defect resolution. Seeking to combine his practical knowledge with an enthusiasm for built heritage, he gained an MSc with Distinction in Historic Building Conservation at the Kingston School of Art. His research investigated the understanding of energy efficiency amongst owners of homes of traditional construction. Bradley is a Supporter of the IHBC, and a member of both the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Heritage Trust Network. Areas of Practice Bradley joined H+R in 2021 as a Specialist Surveyor focussed on both historic and contemporary structures. He specialises in the care and maintenance of historic windows, as well as providing advice on holistic approaches to energy efficiency improvements. Following recent study with the Technological University of Dublin, he undertakes computer simulation of constructional build-ups to inform hygrothermal risk assessment. More broadly, he is interested in conservation approaches that combine both the historic and natural environments, as well as how the public communication of built heritage can contribute to climate action. Catherine Knowles Background Specialist Surveyor BA, MSc (Hons) Catherine studied Archaeology at the University of Exeter graduating with a first-class degree in 2019. During her studies she undertook excavations at Ipplepen in Devon, and during her second year she supervised inexperienced students and volunteers in excavation and recording processes. After taking time out of the heritage sector she returned and completed a master's programme with the Royal Agricultural University studying the recording, conservation, and management of historic buildings in the UK. During this time, she worked at the castle and gardens at St Michael's Mount in West Cornwall, developing her knowledge of current conservation practices at heritage attractions. She enjoys investigating the historical development of buildings shown through building fabric and historical interiors. Areas of Practice Catherine joined H+R in 2022 as a Graduate Surveyor. She investigates damp and decay problems in traditional and modern buildings and provides condition surveys of historic building fabric. She has particular interest in the recording and conservation of historic features within the context of the UK planning system. She is developing her knowledge of building pathology in modern and historic buildings and enjoys researching the uses of three-dimensional modelling of historic structures within the heritage industry.
Clive joined H+R in 1978 after being recruited from the team carrying out the restoration of Netley House. Over the past three decades with the firm Clive has worked on every major H+R project. His wide practical knowledge and experience of the built environment provide a powerful asset to the firm.
David joined H+REI in 2005. Much of his work deals with the survey, documentation and investigation of historic buildings and sites, and providing pre-and post-contract services for the conservation and repair of listed buildings and ancient monuments. His particular interests relate to the use of traditional building materials and the influence of people and environmental conditions on historic buildings.
Ellen began her career by gaining a place on the Princes Foundation's Young Heritage Apprenticeship in Traditional Building Crafts Programme where she trained as a carpenter and lime plasterer. she then went on to work as a self-employed carpenter and lime plasterer for a variety of conservation companies including cliveden conservation, croft conservation and dolmen conservation, as well as working for her own private clients. Her work on site saw her involved in many projects including the Houses of Parliament (Westminster Hall), Christchurch Cathedral (Oxford), Reading Abbey and Worcester Cathedral. Alongside starting her apprenticeship, Ellen also began a BA in History with the Open University. She continued to study part-time whilst working on site, graduating in 2021 with first-class honours. She then took a year out to complete an MSc in Historic Conservation at Oxford Brookes University. Her dissertation (entitled: ‘Patina or Damage: Should graffiti be conserved as part of the historic built environment') investigated how graffiti is currently dealt with by conservation professionals and whether current attitudes and practices are appropriate. Areas of Practice Ellen joined H+R in 2022 as a surveyor. She investigates damp and decay issues affecting both timber and masonry structures. Her previous work as a carpenter and lime plasterer has given her practical experience of the sympathetic repair of historic buildings and structures. In addition to her work for H+R, Ellen remains involved in her family's lutherie workshop where she works repairing bowed string instruments. Matthew Pepper Background CAD Technician and Surveyor BA Having studied Architecture as an undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh, Matt spent time in varying sized architectural firms in the South East of England, specialising predominantly in high end residential construction. With a growing interest in the built environment, he has begun to focus on the latent defects in historic and contemporary buildings Matt has a particular enthusiasm in phenomenology as a philosophy within design. Matthew joined H+R in July 2022 taking on the position of CAD Technician and is furthering his knowledge of building pathology. Matt also undertakes site survey tasks concentrating at the interface of original and new construction. Areas of Practice Having used varying CAD systems through his professional career Matthew now specialises with AutoCAD producing survey mark ups and bespoke details for clients. In addition, he manages the H+R Standard Details library along with the drafting of new solutions to historic and contemporary fabric issues. Recently Matthew undertook a WUFI Pro and BuildDesk course allowing for the creation of numerical condensation risk analysis reports.
Geoffrey Hutton and Michael Rostron met as research scholars at the RIBA at the start of the 1960s, when it became clear to them that the building industry was in dire need of more and better information on the new materials and systems being used in construction. They therefore set up in partnership as Hutton + Rostron to produce information such as the British Gypsum White Book. Because of this, they were soon being approached to investigate and provide independent expert opinion when building materials and systems failed. In particular, investigating and advising on failures of cladding systems and curtain walling.
In 1975, Hutton + Rostron moved their offices into Netley House, which is an historic building owned by the National Trust. This had severe damp and decay problems, including extensive dry rot. Hutton + Rostron therefore employed a number of young biologists and scientists to investigate the cause of these problems, and quickly came to the conclusion that dry rot and timber decay was not caused by a lack of ‘chemical remedial treatment' but was a symptom of a chronic problem of inadequate maintenance and refurbishment, resulting in chronic problems of moisture penetration and damp within the masonry.
Based on this work Hutton + Rostron started to provide independent investigation and remedial advice on historic and refurbished buildings as well as failures to new builds. Hutton + Rostron was called in by English Heritage to provide independent advice on the repeated failure of remedial treatments and conservation works at Brighton Pavilion, in the early 1980s. This showed that the problems were due to failure to prevent water penetration and allow long term drying; and Hutton + Rostron instigated the long-term monitoring of buildings to allow cost effective management of these processes.
In 1987, Tim Hutton joined Hutton + Rostron and applied his experience and training in comparative pathology and environmental science to the investigation and remediation of building failures. This resulted in the concept of the ‘environmental control of timber decay', which showed that isolation of timber elements from damp or potentially damp masonry and provision of adequate through and cross ventilation with fresh air would prevent decay, even if damp conditions persisted or further water penetration occurred. The application of the principals of comparative pathology also resulted in the development of the subject of ‘Building Pathology' and Building Diagnostics, and Hutton + Rostron held a series of international conferences on the subject from 1989 to 1993.
Since that time Hutton + Rostron has provided cost effective independent expert investigation and remedial advice in investigation of failures or defects in buildings of all ages and types throughout the UK and abroad; and has been the market leader in the UK on the application of principals of Building Pathology and the environmental control of damp and decay related problems. In particular, H+R provides investigation advice on problems supplement to fire and flood, and problems resulting in issues with the health of building occupants, as well as decay and damage to building materials
James became a director of H+REI in 1999. He continues to work as a building surveyor and historic building consultant with an emphasis on the built environment of the Georgian period and ecclesiastical buildings. He liaises with Conservation Officers and Planning Departments all over the country but with a particular focus on London.
Job Titles:
- H R in 2018 As a Specialist
Joe joined H+R in 2018 as a specialist surveyor. He investigates damp and decay issues affecting both timber and masonry structures providing remedial advice to architects and structural engineers. Having spent many years in the construction industry, several of those involved in the heritage sector, Joe has gained valuable knowledge of the built environment, as well as practical experience in the sympathetic repair of historic buildings.
Katie is a heritage professional with over 20 years' experience working with historic buildings and is a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. She has a degree in architectural and urban conservation at Northumbria University (1997-2000) followed by a post-graduate certificate in archaeology of standing buildings at Leicester University (2007-2009). Before joining H+REI Katie spent 18 years working as a local authority conservation officer and has a comprehensive working knowledge of the heritage protection system and wider planning system. She is a longstanding member of Society of Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Victorian Society and an active contributor to the War memorials online, photographing Britain's war memorials and assessing their condition. In 2022 she also became a committee member on the IHBC East Anglia Branch committee. Areas of Practice Katie joined H+R in 2020. Her work includes recording historic buildings along with building fabric assessment and undertaking conditions surveys to identify defect and cause. She is experienced in preparing documents associated with building recording, statements of significance, heritage statements and conservation management plans. She particularly enjoys researching historic buildings and studying documentary evidence in conjunction with consideration to fabric evidence to fully understand the significance of historic buildings and their fabric. She also enjoys championing solutions for buildings at risk. Will Woodward Background Specialist Surveyor BSc (Hons) After learning that the reality of being a Vet was far detached from childhood expectations, Will explored other potential career avenues. Several years of experience in the construction industry working on-site in various operational capacities and weekend work on his own account led to a realisation that his interests lay in Built Heritage. Subsequently, he studied Historic Building Conservation: obtaining a foundation degree at the Building Crafts college, followed by a degree in historic building construction at Kingston School of Art. During this time he undertook work placements with specialist contractors, which included developing joinery skills at the Tower of London and lead sheet repair at St John the Baptist, Old Sodbury. Areas of Practice Will joined H+R in 2020 and possesses an interest in sustainability and adaptive design in the context of historic buildings; with a belief that these practices can help to solve the global issues we face today. He is currently advancing his IHBC membership, whilst developing his skills and understanding of building pathology and risk management.
Michael joined H+R in 2005. His work for H+R has included technical consultancy, building inspections for defects caused by damp penetration and the design and specification of remedial details for use by clients and contractors.