Recording Historic Buildings

The first step to identifying what historic buildings are of interest in our historic environment is to research and record what is there. With that knowledge decisions can be taken to isolate those structures significant enough to merit some form of protection.

The principal route currently used by us is an area based survey which seeks to identify and record those structures with the potential to become listed buildings. This work is known as the Second Survey as it is the second time that the region has been surveyed with this intention. Thematic Surveys and Ad Hoc Surveys are also used where appropriate.

All of these records are available on the Buildings Database which provides minimal records of all listed buildings and great detail on those listed and unlisted buildings which have been reviewed by the recent survey.

Records of the First Survey, undertaken between 1969 and 1993, along with other records on Northern Ireland's Historic Buildings can be accessed at the Monuments and Buildings Record (MBR) which is open during normal working hours.

We also from time to time commission detailed recording work on historic buildings, if for example a structure is to be demolished or a record of its detailed fixtures and fittings is deemed necessary. This work is all stored in the MBR.

On occasion surveys will be commissioned to provide background knowledge to help influence policy development or improve our understanding on a particular issue. A Sense of Loss (.PDF 3Mb) which reported on a statistical investigation of vernacular buildings in the region is an example of this.