Record Survey of the Full Site
A complete photographic survey of the entire site, including interior and exterior views and all important details. All images are fully rectified and are of a standard suitable for use on the public record. An intelligent approach and a qualified eye are essential to this service, ensuring that all important views and details are captured. A material condition survey is also included in this part of the report, providing a meticulous record of the site as extant. Images are thoughtfully created so that a single visit can provide a highly accurate survey as well as publicity material of high aesthetic value. This integrated approach allows a single site visit to provide you with images suitable for a variety of applications.
Rectified Photography
A fully corrected image is the only way to accurately record an architecturally or historically important feature. Measured images, with the option of a visible scale, provide a highly accurate record of the site. All perspective distortion is fully corrected and the image is sized to a highly accurate scale. A verified GPS reference is also provided with each image to clearly locate it and allow for post capture analysis. This service is ideal for recording historic facades and parts of the site that will undergo significant intervention or destruction. As a qualified architectural historian I can identify such features without prior briefing to create a suitable record. Each Survey comes with a fully referenced site plan that clearly locates every image.
Material Condition Surveys
After an initial comprehensive survey concentrating on the condition of all parts of the site, repeat visits are made at set time intervals. Images are taken from predefined viewpoints to record material changes to the site. This can include a roof survey where necessary. In addition to a general survey, specific attention is paid to the progress of important architectural features. Activities taking place on site may be recorded on each visit to provide publicity images alongside record shots, creating a very complete description of progress. This service responds directly to Historic Scotland’s guidelines on preparing a conservation plan, which recommends a detailed analysis of the material condition of the site as well as the recording of any change in order to create an archival documentation of the development of any site. This service is designed to create a visual archive ready to slot into further reports or to be kept for the public record.
High-level Photography
Ideal for gaining a broader picture of the site and the building in the context of the surrounding built or rural environment, this provides a view of the site in between the view from ground level and that from satellite imaging such as Google Earth. This service can be provided off a high level platform using high quality digital backs to create rectified images. Where access is more difficult, a handheld mast capable of going up to 8m in height is employed. This service can provide an unrivaled viewpoint of any site, and also gives ideal views to put interventions in context for both clients and planners. The hand-held mast system has significant advantages over a vehicle mounted system. The set up time is significantly reduced and the equipment can be used up close to a building where necessary. It is also possible to survey multiple positions in a short space of time because of the flexibility of positioning the mast.
Technical High-level Photography
High-level photography can also be applied to more technical work. Remote roof surveys allow a thorough inspection to be made of the material condition of a roof with images recorded for detailed analysis. This is a very cost effective alternative to a scaffold tower. The hand-held mast system can also be used in conjunction with powered access and extended over the roof horizontally to access areas that would otherwise be difficult to survey. High-level mast-based photography can also be used for movement monitoring of high-level fissures with a definition of 1mm at 5m. The hand-held equipment is suitable to be used inside and so can be used for high level fissure monitoring in church towers etc.
Site Context Reports
A full report into the context of a site, providing a full analysis of the present state of the site and considering location, aspect, weather and extant buildings on site. In addition to this a report will be provided into the historical context. A historical analysis will consider the mapped history of the site and also explore pre-OS and archival evidence to supply a full history. All research is carried out by a qualified Architectural Historian with the research skills necessary to provide a full and accurate history of the site. A site context report can be integrated with any of our imaging solutions to provide a detailed and sophisticated analysis of the site.
Customized Research Reports
We are able to offer a research facility to supplement reports, which expands on the approach of the site context report. Please contact us to discuss your exact requirements.
Publicity Images
A set of images showing the building to its best advantage. As well as a standard set of elevations and interiors, images will be created that capture the essence of the building. A range of artistic images that respond to the site will also be provided to create an innovative portfolio. Experience with clients as diverse as Alba Conservation and The Balmoral Hotel equip us with the skills to effectively portray any style of building.
