It seems that our Hospitals are crumbling, our Schools are crumbling, and just about everything else that was built between 1930 and 1990 is crumbling. It doesn't say much for our modern Steel-n-Concrete building methods.
I attended a 10th Century school, where nothing was crumbling other than some of the teachers.
The buildings were of stone and some brick, and were built to last. The building where I lived was 'The oldest inhabited residential building in Europe'. The adjoining 11th Century cathedral was also built to last, and still shows no sign of crumble.
One really has to wonder if modern building techniques are worth the 'saved' time and money. The current problem in our schools stem from Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Had they been built of either brick or pukka concrete blocks, none of this would be a problem; but air is cheaper than cement, so that's what we've got.
I suppose this is a classic example of cutting corners (and expenses), and ending-up with what you deserve.
I often stop to look at building sites as huge new multi-story blocks get ever bigger. Giant metal structures rise ever higher. Huge slabs of concrete are winched into place between the steel structures. Foam filled wooden partitions make-up the insides. And goodness knows what sort of 'cladding' goes on the outside to hide the shoddy 'ease' of the work.
I wonder if we will ever see a return to real craftsmanship and quality materials in our buildings. Somehow I doubt it. Repairs will be made, and fingers crossed.
You get what you pay for with builders, and deal with the consequences later. That seems to be the modern way.
I live in a cottage that was built in 1700, ok it’s not very warm at the best of times but it’s still here
ReplyDeleteOur stone cottage in France is about 300 years old; it was built in the time when Louis XV was still a small boy. It has a few cracks, but is still standing.
DeleteNew is not always best. A modern housing estate built locally around 30 years ago is now in need of serious repairs. I feel sorry for the poor residents.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid one hears horror stories about brand new homes too. Too many corners are being cut, and too many shoddy materials are being used. After that it's just down to 'skill'.
DeleteTo mark the new Millennium, Britain erected a huge dome on the south bank of The Thames. At first the government had no idea what they were going to do with it. But what really sticks in my mind is that from the outset it was not meant to last with its tent-like roof. They estimated fifty years. That seems reflective of our times - a dome to mark a new millennium but it will not even last a hundred years.
ReplyDeleteYP, I was amazed that the dome was chosen as the country's contribution to the millennium. They also celebrated the year 2000, rather than welcoming the new millennium which of course started in 2001.
DeleteI have always preferred to live in a newly built house. Something to do with not having to remove all the previous owner's decor and "improvements". Perhaps we have been lucky and have not had any major problems.
ReplyDeleteThe problem in the UK is the lack of housing, so corners are cut and shoddy workmanship is accepted in the rush to provide homes.
However it's horrifying to see the devastation in the States after Hurricane Milton. The houses are so flimsy they look as though they are made of cardboard and just collapse. With such extreme weather I wonder why they don't build in brick, as we do in Europe?
It's a good thing we're all different. I would only live in old houses; the older the better.
DeleteYou're right about many US homes; especially in Florida. Many are almost kit houses, you select all the bits from a catalogue, and the men come to fit it all together. They are not designed to last, and are sold on as a 'Puller-Downer'.
You are a craftsman Cro, and enjoy restoration work. At the mere mention of a DIY job needing to be done, my late husband would suddenly remember something urgent that needed to be done elsewhere and didn't involve getting his hands dirty! That's why we always chose new houses.
DeleteMost building here is with concrete or brick. They're strong. Not as strong though as the old houses with walls a metre thick
ReplyDeleteOur house in France has very thick stone walls. They used to build differently in those days.
DeleteMy senior school's { Latymer } history dates back to 1624.Edward Latymer's bequest was to be given annually to provide 'eight poore boies' a doublet, a pair of breeches, a shirt, a pair of woollen stockings and shoes. In return for being educated, the ' boies ' had to wear the red Latymer cross on their sleeves ! Most of the buildings are not as old as 1624 but some of the more modern annexes were falling down, draughty and cold when I went there and I think some of them still existed at least until a few years ago but, the old red/stock brick buildings keep going as they were well built and maintained. XXXX
ReplyDeleteMy great-grandfather went to Latymer's. I still have a book that was given to him as a prize.
DeleteCutting corners in construction seems common. My neighbor has a home built in 1983. It presented a big scare a few years ago. We had 5 feet of snow. Many people had to remove snow from the roof due to weight compromising the home. My neighbor heard his home creaking and doors would not open. The whole house out-of-plumb. Poor construction strikes again.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least the roof didn't collapse. Roof timbers are so shoddy these days!
DeleteI, like you Cro, prefer old, though it comes with challenges. We live in the oldest house in our small rural village. Parts of the Grade II listed thatched cottage date back to C14th.
ReplyDeleteThe cottage is wonderfully cool in summer but hardly cosy in winter. It is dusty and the spiders would put Miss Haversham to shame and a few weeks ago there was a huge crash in the living room - some of the tudor bricks in the double inglenook had fallen down!
Not for everyone by any means but we love it but it would be nice if the muntjac didn’t eat almost everything in the garden.
That sounds very much like our French cottage. I love all the eccentricities. Deer and Badgers eat our plants.
DeleteDo you suppose such old building methods will ever return? How could they ever provide enough homes to house the world's population?
ReplyDeleteNo they won't, but current materials could easily be improved upon. Proper concrete is good; aerated concrete is not.
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