Conservation Significance:

Have we lost the plot? What's it all about ???

Anthony Walker is co-author of Building Sustainability in the Balance (published by Estates Gazettte) and founding partner of DLG Architects, Accredited in Building Conservation with a particular interest in the 20th century and conservation management.

Clearly, he is a man who cares deeply about the conservation of the built environment, and he used our lunch on 29th April 2010 to express his concerns that the regulations against which we, in Britain are trying to do the job are not, to use the current phrase, "fit for purpose". The recently-introduced PPS5, Planning and the Historic Environment, has added to his anxiety. The core of the problem, as he sees it, is that the rules, and the guidance issued by English Heritage use words that are highly subjective and capable of extensive interpretation. Whilst this may bring work to consultants and lawyers for years to come, it militates against owners and developers who wish to engage constructively, and is not conducive of consistent outcomes. The result of all this is that local authorities tend to become formulaic in their approach, with great divergence in the lines that they take. The whole process is being driven, in Anthony’s view, by "order" rather than "ideas". In part this reflects, of course, the training of conservation officers, few of whom understand architecture, or design.. They thus feel unable to hear and interpret ideas in the language of architects. There is also a need for all involved in conservation to better understand the economics and commercial realities of property ownership and different uses.

This rather rote-driven approach becomes of particular difficulty with 20th Century buildings. The diversity of architectural language developed and deployed in buildings of that century is particularly impenetrable to a rule-based approach. Anthony gave us the particular example of the Commonwealth Institute building in Kensington. In a sensitive location abutting Holland Park, its most striking external feature is its roofline. However, the building contains extensive detailing in both design and lay-out that reflects its historical genesis. In discussions about its future, these all seemed to get swept away, with only the roof becoming the icon!

In subsequent discussion, comparison was made with Europe, particularly France and Spain. The Spanish, whilst being meticulous in conserving valuable detail, are far more willing to consider modern additions provided that thought is given to how the original architect might have treated the issue; they do not seek pastiche. The French seek to conserve much less, but what they do conserve, they conserve thoroughly and well. This led Anthony to argue that our approach to conservation seems to far too broad-brush, with everything including the kitchen sink being swept in.

As a personal aside, the debate reminded me of the anguish of engaging, in education, with Ofsted; when dealing with intangibles, officialdom has problems. Judging by the furrowed brows, Anthony’s talk gave us some cause to worry, but it is always a pleasure to hear speaker talking with passion on his subject

Michael Mallinson