Institute of Historic Building Conservation No 108 March 2009 The uncomfortable history of prisons, death camps, workhouses and slavery
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C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 1 Context Cover: AuschwitzBirkenau, Poland (Photo: Fiona Newton) Uncomfortable truths, past and present Editorial How should we celebrate history that makes us uncomfortable? We may admire a house designed by an architect of talent and built with the finest craftsmanship, but what difference does it make to our enjoyment to know that it was built on the profits of the slave trade? The truth is that human kind is good at distancing itself from horrors.When Britain engaged in the slave trade, some human beings were condemned on the grounds of the colour of their skin to having no more rights than animals.We owe it to those who suffered to write that history: to present buildings built on the profits of slavery in ways that explain the economic system and social values of a country that nevertheless considered itself civilised and godfearing. Prisons and concentration camps may be less of a problem to the historian or interpreter. They were not built to delight anyone architecturally, so we can more simply preserve them for their history while condemning the inhuman attitudes that shaped them. Who knows what future generations will think of the comfortable distance that we put between ourselves and today’s inhumanities? We may try to avoid buying cheap clothes made by children and indentured labourers, the slaves of today. But we are as likely to say that those workers need the money, and that that is the way the world works.We know very well what the cost of our summer holiday would buy in terms of humanitarian aid to an African village, but Africa is probably sufficiently out of sight to be out of mind. Future generations of building conservationists may feel obliged to explain that some valued buildings of the 21st century were the work of people who denied the human rights of children and indentured labourers, or who profited from activities that helped condemn millions to the consequences of climate change. Writing or presenting history responsibly depends on being aware of our own values, and of how different they may be to those of times past and how different they may be to generations to come. Thinking about our uncomfortable history can help us learn about our perhaps toocomfortable selves. The Institute of historic building conservation www.ihbc.org.uk Registered as a Charity Number 1061593. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England Number 3333780. Registered Office: 3 Stafford Road,TunbridgeWells, Kent TN2 4QZ. IHBC Officers President Eddie Booth email president@ihbc.org.uk Chairman Dave Chetwyn email chair@ihbc.org.uk Vice Chair Sheila Stones email vchair@ihbc.org.uk Secretary Richard Morrice email secretary@ihbc.org.uk Treasurer Michael Knights email treasurer@ihbc.org.uk Membership Secretary Jo Evans email membership@ihbc.org.uk Education Secretary John Preston email education@ihbc.org.uk Publicity Secretary Doug Black email publicity@ihbc.org.uk Law & Practice Coordinator vacant email law@ihbc.org.uk Director Seán O’Reilly email director@ihbc.org.uk Projects Officer Fiona Newton email projects@ihbc.org.uk Consultant Consultations Coordinator James Caird email consultations@ihbc.org.uk Membership Services Officer Devon DeCelles email membershipservices@ihbc.org.uk Administration Officer Lydia Porter email admin@ihbc.org.uk IHBC Committee Chairs Policy Mike Brown email policy@ihbc.org.uk Membership & Ethics Jo Evans email membership@ihbc.org.uk Finance & Resources Richard Morrice email resources@ihbc.org.uk Education John Preston email education@ihbc.org.uk Communications & Outreach vacant email communications@ihbc.org.uk Branch Officers North Geoff Underwood Tel 0191 433 3435 NorthWest Kate Borland Tel 0161 2344556 Yorkshire Keith Knight Tel 01904 658482 West Midlands Charles Shapcott Tel 0121 7044312 East Midlands Roy Lewis Tel 01636 653060 South Julia Foster Tel 01296 585888 SouthWest Ian Lund Tel 01225 477687 East Anglia StaceyWeiser-Jones Tel 01954 713178 South East David Kincaid Tel 01227 862185 London David McDonald Tel 020 8881 6724 Scotland Charles Strang Tel 01835 822560 Wales Nathan Blanchard Tel 01492 583443 Northern Ireland Sharon BrownTel 028 9754 3087 Republic of Ireland Cormac O’Sullivan Tel 00353 5677 62907 Business Office Jubilee House, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6HA England Tel 01747 873133 Fax 01747 871718 email admin@ihbc.org.uk Briefing 2 Letters 3 Material matters 4 Out of Context 5 The writer’s voice 5 Periodically 6 Conference report: On theWaterfront Dennis Rodwell 9 Conference report: Agencies Coordinating Group Fiona Newton 12 Agencies Coordinating Group research Ela Palmer 14 ‘We are in misery’: buildings of captivity Graham Tite 17 Landscapes of human exploitation Fiona Newton 20 The history of the workhouse Peter Higginbotham 24 Built on slavery LaurenceWestgaph 27 Weymouth’s Coadstone king Chris Daniels 31 Urban conservation in Italy Michael Taylor 33 Article 4 directions in conservation areas Andrew Dick 37 The Milestone Society Rob Caldicott 40 A final word from the president David Lovie 41 Member on the move 41 Conservations areas at risk CharlesWagner 42 Notes from the chair 43 Director’s cut 44 Membership notes 45 Vox pop 46 Book reviews 47 Products and services 53 Advertisers index 56 Institute ofHistoricBuildingConservation No 108 March 2009 The uncomfortable history of prisons, death camps,workhouses and slavery
2 C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 Context Briefing Copy deadlines Context is published five times a year, in March, May, July, September and November.The copy deadlines in 2009 are: Issue Deadline May, Issue 109 16 March July, Issue 110 18 May September, Issue 111 20 July November, Issue 112 21 September Editor Rob Cowan Editorial Coordinator Fiona Newton 21 George Street, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 9JU Tel 01507 602567 email editorial@ihbc.org.uk Editorial Board Fiona Newton (chair) Susan Brook (regular contributors) Nigel Crowe (main features) Peter de Figueiredo (book reviews) Michael Taylor (main features) Cartoons by Rob Cowan Context is distributed to all members of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. © Institute of Historic Building Conservation 2009 ISSN 0958-2746 Publisher Published for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation by Cathedral Communications Limited, High Street, Tisbury,Wiltshire, England SP3 6HA Tel 01747 871717 Fax 01747 871718 email context@cathcomm.co.uk www.buildingconservation.com Non-member subscriptions to Context Context is available to non-members of the IHBC at an annual subscription rate, including postage, of: United Kingdom £50.00 Elsewhere £75.00 Subscription orders, together with remittances payable to Institute of Historic Building Conservation, should be sent to the IHBC Business Office at Jubilee House, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6HA. The views expressed in Context are not necessarily held by the IHBC or the publisher. Neither the publisher nor the IHBC shall be under any liability whatsoever in respect of contributed articles. We gratefully acknowledge the support of firms whose advertisements appear throughout this publication.While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this issue of Context is current and correct, neither the IHBC nor the publisher can be held responsible for any errors or omissions which may occur. Reflecting Wales’ uncomfortable heritage that we tell a more rounded and more locally rooted story of our past. Heritage should reflect the true story of our people, even if that is sometimes provocative and uncomfortable. ‘The great Welsh journalist and raconteur,Wynford Vaughan Thomas once said ‘‘your history is too cosy, too comfortable’’ and we have to be careful not to go down that path in Wales. I have occasionally visited heritage sites and exhibitions which skate over anything contentious or likely to cause offence.We have to be careful that we do not present Welsh heritage in a cosy, anodyne way. History is dynamic and involves conflict, and sometimes plenty of it. This must be acknowledged in the way we present our rich historic environment inWales.’ The minister was due to publish his strategic statement on theWelsh historic environment in March. He has announced an investment of £2 million in conservation and access improvements to sites associated withWelsh nationhood, such as sites associated with the fight for independence under Llywelyn Fawr and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in the 13th century and Owain Glyn Dŵr in the 15th century. Conwy Castle, one of Edward I’s castles built to conquer northWales in the 1280s (Photo: Cadw,Welsh Assembly Government, Crown Copyright) Deganwy Castle: little remains of the castle of Llywelyn, Prince of Gwynedd, which lies across the estuary from Conwy Castle. (Photo: Cadw,Welsh Assembly Government, Crown Copyright) Alun Ffred Jones, minister for heritage in theWelsh Assembly Government, delivered the keynote address at the Treftadaeth 08 (Heritage 08) conference in Llandudno in October 2008. Jones took up his post in August 2008: his speech is an early indicator of his vision for the historic environment inWales. ‘I would like to offer some thoughts on the word “heritage”,’ Jones said. ‘It seems to me that, in English, this word too often carries associations with palaces, kings and other élites. Sometimes these connotations can be a barrier to wider appreciation of the built “heritage”. InWelsh, the words we use carry the meaning of “inheritance” rather than the more remote “heritage”. ‘Etifeddiaeth and treftadaeth are very close in meaning. Etifeddiaeth refers to a cultural legacy as much as to a physical one; treftadaeth implies our inheritance in a way which associates it etymologically with towns (dref), with home (cartref) and with our parents (tad meaning father). InWelsh, therefore, when we talk of heritage we are talking about something personal, a possession or legacy handed down to us and held in trust. ‘For theWelsh, heritage and history sometimes appear to be the story of others rather than our own, that of an élite separate fromWelsh society. Some of the major heritage sites inWales, the castles of Edward I and the great houses built by industrial entrepreneurs and magnates, could be said to represent an élite rather than those who lived and worked in their shadow. ‘Sometimes Cadw, theWelsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service and other key heritage bodies have been seen to be associated with this perspective in the past – a view that Cadw represents someone else, not the people of Wales.We need to overcome this perception and ensure Alun Ffred Jones addressing the Treftadaeth conference, October 2008 (Photo: Cadw,Welsh Assembly Government, Crown Copyright)
C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 3 Letters… An interpretation centre has been created to show Liverpool’s Old Dock.The world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock, the Old Dock could harbour up to 100 ships in one day. It disappeared under newer buildings almost 200 years ago, and is now beneath the new Liverpool One shopping centre. Purcell Miller Tritton was the project’s architect and conservation consultant. The former national school in Llandudno, which was rescued by a local building preservation trust, was one of the successes due to be celebrated at a conference organised by the IHBC, the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and the Civic Trust forWales on Recycling Historic Buildings: empowering local authorities and communities in Llandudno on 26 March. Details at http:// llandudno2009.ihbc.org.uk The 218-year-old Calder Hebble NavigationWarehouse inWakefield has been given a new lease of life following a £4.8 million restoration project carried out byYork and Manchester-based building conservation specialists William Anelay.The Grade II* listed building has been converted to a 3,200 square metre office and retail space as part of the £100 millionWakefieldWaterfront Project. Baha’i wear and tear From Peter Arnold,Walsall I note the Briefing item about world heritage site status for the Baha’i headquarters complex at Haifa, Israel, in Context 106. In January 2008 I had the opportunity to spend a day in the city of WilkesBarre, Pennsylvania, USA. One of the most exotic sights of the town centre was a large Baha’i temple, with no fewer than six immensely tall minarets and a central dome. This spectacular building, seeming to date from the 1920s, was richly and inventively detailed, with much good craftsmanship. However, the temple showed clear signs of wear and tear, suggesting that the present congregation was having difficulty in providing adequate fabric maintenance for this very memorable and deserving-of-preservation building. Peter Arnold My moment of glory From Tony Robinson Ever wanted to put the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport right on a few matters concerning the historic heritage? Imagine my surprise when the following missive dropped into my email inbox recently. ‘The Secretary of State has asked if you would be willing to meet him for 30 minutes to discuss Heritage Protection. I would be grateful if you could contact me on the below number to arrange a convenient date.’ Gosh, my moment of glory: 15, no 30, minutes of fame. A one-to-one with the SoS. For starters, there’s this Heritage Bill which seems to have been dumped after months of effort, there’s the latest mangling of the General Development Procedure Order and its impact on conservation areas, there’s the constant threat to conservation areas by alterations, VAT on listed building repairs... The list goes on. I phoned the ‘below number’, and explained that I lived in NorthYorkshire and, much as I would like to pop round for a chat, doubts were surfacing in my mind. ‘How did you get my email address?’ A pause, then ‘er, I need to check this out, I’ll get back to you.’ Later that day, a message landed on the phone. ‘Mr Robinson, I’m very sorry but unfortunately I was given the wrong contact details and I wasn’t supposed to email yourself, sorry for the confusion, hope it hasn’t caused any inconvenience.’ I put the phone down wondering which (if any) of my namesakes would make it through the portals of the DCMS. Tony Robinson The Baha’i temple atWilkes-Barre, PA: the gable and a minaret (above) and the faience tiling surround to a doorway
4 C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 Is it a boat jack? Material matters Hoop iron Hoop iron can be found quite commonly in Victorian buildings. Its use is described in JP Allen’s Practical Building Construction (1893) and many other books of the period. Allen wrote: ‘Hoop-iron bond, which has superseded the use of longitudinal bond-timbers, consists of long strips of wrought-iron, about 1 1/8 inches by 1/16 inch laid and built in along walls, between courses, in rows at every two or three feet in height above head, and below sills of window, and turned at the ends up joints to assist in preventing rupture of the brickwork horizontally from unequal settlements. It is often specified to be tarred and sanded before been built in.’ Hoop iron is not always easy to spot. Generally the telltale signs are minor horizontal cracks, internally or externally.With render, rust staining can sometimes be seen. The hoop iron is often laid two lines in a nineinch-thick wall. The outer one, being closer to the elements, is more prone to corrosion. This can lead to jacking the brickwork upwards and to a clear gap in the mortar course. The greater the gap, the more the water ingress and the greater the corrosion rate. In most cases hoop iron can be left alone, with the mortar raked out and re-pointed to slow the rate of corrosion.Where the damage is excessive, the hoop iron will need to be cut out by removing stretchers, raking out the mortar to the headers, ‘snipping’ the iron, and piecing back the stretcher and re-pointing. This is an expensive and time-consuming task. The inner band can often be left, as it is better protected from the elements, but some hairline cracking to finishes should be expected. Cathodic protection could be considered, although I have not yet had to attempt this. Ed Morton, member of the IHBC technical panel I recently came across this curious item in an antique shop in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The object is constructed of a solid block of timber (approximately 30cm x 60cm x 15cm) incorporating an extending iron foot on a simple ratchet system. I recall seeing a similar item many years ago in a barn full of curiosities collected by an elderly retired water bailiff who lived next to the River Severn in Gloucestershire. He explained to me at the time that he thought it was a jack used to lift heavy objects such as boats under construction. He also mentioned the use of the device for jacking timber-framed buildings, presumably for the purposes of repair. A similar item is shown lying in the foreground of John Constable’s 1817 painting Boat Building near Flatford Mill. This reinforces the boat jack theory. It would be useful to hear from anyone who knows more about this object. Julian Bagg, coordinator, IHBC technical panel Let us know If you know of any unusual or rarely documented techniques, artefacts or materials, Material matters would like to hear from you. Contact Julian Bagg, technical panel coordinator at technical@ihbc.org.uk. Hoop iron course evident on careful inspection Staining indicates hoop iron Hoop iron extending out of demolished section of wall
C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 5 ‘The Ombudsman’s investigation found that council officers did not seem to understand the description of the buildings in the listing; did not apply the legal definition of a listed building and so did not require an application for listed building consent; did not address themselves to the appropriate national planning policies and guidance; and did not notify English Heritage and the national amenity societies. ‘The reports on which the planning area committee made its decisions were deficient. In particular, the report on which it decided to approve demolitions and conversions of the listed buildings failed to correctly identify the buildings that were listed; to explain the general presumption in favour of preserving listed buildings; to clearly explain the proper tests for the committee to apply as set out in national Planning Policy Guidance 15…’ From the report of an ombudsman’s report of an investigations into actions by Darlington Borough Council ‘Planning officers have a role to play in kick-starting the economy, and in this case they have failed and failed abysmally. There are still those within the planning system who see their role as being totally divorced from the wellbeing of the economy. They see their job as just ticking boxes, interpreting policies and quoting policies and don’t think they’ve a role in generating jobs, giving people a livelihood or generating economic growth.’ Northern Ireland planning minister SammyWilson criticising his planners’ refusal of a planning application for the Aurora development in Belfast (a tower of apartments) partly on the grounds that its design did not fit in with the character of the site and surrounding area. ‘WHENTHE [second world] war was declared he signed up, using his connections to wangle his way into seeing action despite being listed “unfit for service” (he was shortsighted, and deaf in one ear; but, as a sympathetic general said to him: “There’s not much whispering in the Army!”)’ From the Daily Telegraph’s obituary of conservation architect Richard Tyler From Smooth and Rough by Adrian Stokes (1951) A WOODEN chair connected me with the tree-branches on the terraces. The only other furnishing of the white room was a spider’s web hanging from the ceiling in an angle of the walls. I thought of it as the relic from an operation, a part of the body which, when active, had caused pain: now, almost transparent filaments were independent remainders of tumescence and of darkness. Every state had become the surface, unified and tested by surrounding things. Confined to the room I was free: all roots were with me in the whiteness. I resembled a traveller who crosses frontiers without the impediment of luggage, without need of a ticket or changed money. I stood at the window. The country was divided by stone walls. Towards sunset the day before, every twig had been discernable, each with syntactic meaning to the eye. I had gazed through sun-lit undergrowth and trees on terraces at a white house, over hill distance to the clear mountain contour. I had reflected on this reversal of the mind’s self-glancing situation whose undergrowth is dark, lying well behind the eyes, whose contact is clear with thin horizons only; whereas in the panorama before me the simple shapes of the distance had clearly served as finish to the nearby threads. A church clock had struck, soothing, it seemed, the separated noises of the town, submitting afresh the sublime sweetness of reason which I saw embodied in houses among olive terraces and vineyards. Many bells in perspective of sound from many villages had proclaimed the weight and calm of measured things... Two smooth paving lines stretch along the centre of the cobbled road, pick up spaces between the houses’ apertures as well as the rays of eaves. Each slit of each shutter resounds with divided darkness; both light and dark are capped by the thick-edged tiles upon the roofs. Near the base of a church, rotund stone courses express smoothness on the walls above, thus uplifted from the cobble ground. These units or members invite touch. Some of the houses are stepped with broad ledges near the base, one with an alcove between the ledges for a shrine. Faces and washing show at windows; an invalid is recumbent on the ledge just above the cobbles. A Venetian red wall joins the two houses, the wall to a garden seen between iron gates. The pillars support terracotta basins holding cacti plants, an entry to more rooms of the outside, to inner things of the surface, to a loggia raised upon three shallow steps. Midday bells announce culmination of stature in the non-volcanic air. The day, unspecked with afterthought, is set out: the candid buildings epitomise statement, drawing the past to the light through the form of simultaneous affinities in shape and colour. Passers-by dramatise the combed coherence of the houses just as, conversely, a strutting and curtailed peering of hens in a run demonstrates the quarrelsome feathered stench and the disorderly architecture of an improvised fowl-house. The inhabitants, they, I, build ourselves in rivalry with these surfaces. For the moment of swift action we shall have looked to the balcony-boxes of geranium. There is actual building in progress: workmen plaster the sides of apertures. The roof is complete since a fir sapling has been tied to the top of a scaffoldpole. The compact green is fiery above the planks and building particles; an emblem of vitality, a sign of finish wrenched from the soil.
6 C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 Periodically… As is now customary, the longer than usual gap between November and March issues of Context results in more review material than normal and a greater selectivity of interesting items. As debate on the heritage reform has recently receded, so aspects of conservation principles and good practice have come to the fore. English Heritage has published its own Conservation Principles to a mixed reception. Readers wishing to gain a different perspective may find the Association of Preservation Technology’s (APT), Journal of Preservation Technology (Vol 39, Nos 2-3) particularly interesting. This issue sees an important gathering together of approaches from around the world, illustrating alternative applications of concepts of authenticity relating to the historic integrity of structures and places. Guest editor Pamela Jerome initiates the discussion with an overview of the history of the concept of authenticity. She questions its importance, definition and application. A variety of further views are presented, yet no definitive answers emerge. Nevertheless the debate is timely and informative. Nine articles examine the history of theWorld Heritage Operational Guidelines, the Venice Charter, and the Nara Document on Authenticity. Interpretations of how these documents apply to current conservation issues are suggested, including: their use in historic urban landscapes, discussed by Gustavo F Araoz, the origin and influence of Nara by Herb Stovel, and as a practical example, the use of a Nara Grid to evaluate authenticity as applied to the Grand ChâteauWatertower in Brussels, described by Koenraed Van Balen. This example demonstrates the application of Nara to a building type relatively familiar to UK practitioners. Questions about the authenticity of cultural landscapes also may have a resonance with those involved in UK landscape characterisation. The criteria used to evaluate the integrity and authenticity of cultural landscapes classified as world heritage sites, such as those at Tequila, Mexico and at Sukur, Nigeria, examined by Mechtild Rössler, will be of particular interest. Nora J Mitchell of the US National Parks Service relates the authenticity of cultural landscapes to the sustainability movement by looking at an examination of the 550-acre Mount Tom forest inWoodstock, Vermont. One of the earliest surviving examples of planned and managed reforestation in the USA. Again Context readers may find useful relationships to UK practice. In contrast, Thomas Andrews and Susan Buggey explore limitations of western concepts of authenticity when dealing with the values of aboriginal peoples. Substantial reconstruction is a concept not usually encountered or considered acceptable in the UK, so Christina Cameron’s article on the revision of guidelines for the reconstruction of the historic centre of Warsaw after its wartime destruction poses some interesting metaphysics. The APT’s occasional centre pullout Practice Points feature (No 6), examines the research and analysis of architectural finishes. Dorothy Krotzer’s six-page outline describes the necessary steps of finish analysis, such as historical research, in-situ investigation, and analysis of paint samples using fluorescence microscopy and micro-chemical tests. She calls for a standardised approach to architecturalpaint research. Overall this issue is highly recommended. The following issue of the APT Bulletin, (Vol 39, No 4) is more wideranging. Articles include the use of digital printing technology combined with hand finishing and screen printing to make affordable reproductions of 49 late-19th and early-20th century wall coverings, at the Opera House, Meridian, Mississippi. Dagmar Michoinová and Pavla Rovnaníková evaluate traditional techniques of scientific analysis for high-calcium lime-mortar preparation and treatment. By analysing shrinkage, carbonation, flexural strength, compression strength and pore structure of mortar specimens, effective methods to make repairs to historic structures have been determined. Using a case study of the archaeological site of Chiripa, Bolivia, to determine the effectiveness of this technique, Charu Chaudhry and Koenraad Van Balen explore injection grouting as a means to improve the strength of earthen structures that may be at risk of damage from earthquakes. As concerns about sustainable construction grow and summers become significantly warmer, there will be interest in Fatemeh Mehdizadeh Saradj’s examination of badgers, traditional wind catchers. She analyses Iranian examples and uses flow-modelling analysis to determine the effectiveness of these structures in hot, arid climates. In relation to 20th century buildings, David N Fixler reassesses conservation practices applied to those of the modern movement and what the philosophy behind them poses for the patina of age their materials might acquire. Finally, Stacey E Holden questions whose legacy is preserved in areas under foreign rule through an analysis of the impact of French colonialism in the Fez medina of Morocco. She argues that when the French colonised Morocco they created a ‘romanticized vision of Fez as a medieval relic’ through preservation policies that did not reflect the social history of Morocco and diminished pre-colonial modernisation. Both articles acknowledge the importance of understanding events and ideas in the past as the basis for making conservation management decisions. SPAB’s (Society for the Protection of Ancient Building) concerns about the
C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 7 heritage reforms have been highlighted for some time in this column. The latest Cornerstone (Vol 29, No 4) considers the draft heritage bill ‘probably consigned to oblivion’ and conducts the brief post mortem of most other Englandbased heritage publications. ‘A lost opportunity certainly, but we as many others argued relentlessly, the bigger danger was that it would end up making matters worse,’ stated SPAB secretary Philip Venning. Hard on the heels of this abandonment came news of the Heathrow expansion. The issue appeared just before the government’s announcement to proceed and, perhaps in anticipation of the inevitable ‘scandalous progress’ of the proposals, the society has given further prominence to the devastation this will cause to heritage assets within the intended site. How heritage will fare under the new Infrastructure Planning Commission when consent is required for the many listed building demolitions will test to the limit of the government’s commitment to joined-up heritage policy, irrespective of the axing of the not-much lamented bill. We are not alone in experiencing such cultural vandalism. Cornerstone also highlights the painful 20-year destruction of an architecturally rich Saxon village, Heurersdorf, in the former East Germany, by a US-owned mining company. SPAB sees parallels with proposed expansion of Stansted airport. Elsewhere, Jeremy Musson makes a persuasive argument for the neglected conservation credentials of Sir John Vanbrugh as one of the first to advocate the protection of historic buildings. Prominence is also given to the campaign to save the worldrenownedWilliam Morris Gallery in Walthamstow in the face of ‘philistinism’ and ‘cultural vandalism’ byWaltham Forest councillors, who have put the very existence of this institution at risk. In a shocking case of historical amnesia, some on the council described Morris, a radical socialist and early environmentalist as well as an advocate of art for all, regardless of class or race, as ‘just a white imperialist’. The RICS Building Conservation Journal (September 2008) deals primarily with timber decay and repair. It includes short articles about the qualities and vulnerability of timber by Robin Nugent, how to design out timber deterioration by Jagjit Singh and an interview with National Trust joinery conservator Ray Stevens. Also, for those who might have been unable to attend it, there is a resume of SPAB’s recent seminar Historic Buildings and Flooding, held appropriately at Tewkesbury Abbey, which suffered during last summer’s inundation. The December 2008 issue explained the Heritage Skills Initiative work which commenced in 2005 and which is being promoted by the North of England Civic Trust. Last year this included a ‘Training the Trainers’ programme secured under the Learning and Skills Council’s ‘Training to Gain’ agenda, for trainers and assessors of NVQ3 in various traditional skills in all 23 colleges in the north east. This latest issue also explains the principles behind dynamic buffer zones (DBZs) to address the balance between building conservation and energy efficiency. Achieved by greater insulation of masonry structures, creating an air barrier in a building envelope to protect the exterior façade to interior air moisture, this technique was used successfully on a large 1914 terracotta‑faced building in Vancouver. For those readers who believe we live in a colourless world, reinforced by the architectural profession’s obsession with grey building materials; the latest issue of TheVictorian (November 2008 No 29) is entitled Colour inVictorian Britain. Paul Atterbury, known to many as one of the resident experts on the Antiques Roadshow, unpicks the 20th century perception that Victorian Britain was a dour, gloomy and colourless place, while Kathryn Ferry, former architectural advisor to the society, discusses Owen Jones’ approach to the colour scheme for Crystal Palace. The bicentenary of Jones’ birth falls this year: there will be exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Museum of Wales, which will expand understanding of his work beyond his seminal publication the Grammar of Ornament, published in 1856. This column has referred in the past to theatres at risk. Theatres, the Theatres Trust’s Newsletter (Autumn 2008) describes past and current progress. Since its establishment in 1976, protection of theatre buildings throughout the UK has been a key aim. By 1998 the trust had identified an informal watch list known as the ‘sleeping beauties’. This was significantly expanded into a register in 2006 which differs from most BAR registers by including theatres whether listed or not, within the UK. The full register is found on the trust’s website. The issue also features the current optimism surrounding the refurbishment of the Grade II* Brighton Hippodrome from a disused Mecca bingo house to a live music venue. This commends some forward thinking by Brighton Council in the 1960s, without VICTORIAN THEMAGAZINEOFTHEVICTORIANSOCIETY NOVEMBER 2008NO29 Colour in Victorian Britain Thepurestandmost thoughtfulmindsare thosewhich lovecolour themost. Ruskin, TheStonesofVenice
8 C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 which the building might well have been lost. Frank Hildy, co-author with Oscar Brockett of the seminal History of Theatre, expands on three maxims which he argues are as relevant today as they were in the 17th century. These are that there is no place for dead space in the live theatre, that black is a colour that should never be found in the audience space of a theatre, and that the space occupied by an audience during performance is known as ‘the house’ to theatre people with good reason. Finally, the latest edition of C20, the magazine of the Twentieth Century Society (Winter 2008-9), features an item by Context review editor Peter de Figueiredo on St George’s School, Wallasey. The school, designed by Elmslie Morgan, principal assistant to the borough architect of Wallasey, was built in 1961. It is one of the earliest, largest and most successful passive solar energy buildings in the world. Morgan died tragically in 1964, having made no public statement about the design, which he was in the course of patenting. After a period of vacancy in the 1990s and use as a homeless persons hostel, it has now become a special needs school. Many of its original features remain intact, with the unique solar wall faithfully reconstructed. The article does not imply listed status for the building, but it provides a further interesting take on the concept of authenticity with which this column began. Bob Kindred MBE A Traditional Approach To Conservation Haymills Conservation is a specialist business where the focus is on the conservation, restoration, refurbishment and extension of historic and ecclesiastical buildings - together with high quality traditional works to period properties. Our professional and experienced management team alongside an in-house resource of directly employed craftsmen truly appreciates the importance of our built heritage environment. This approach incorporates an extensive skills and knowledge base employing traditional building techniques such as - • • • • • • • • • • • • Conservation Haymills Conservation, 32 St Peterʼs Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 7DA Tel: 01480 414191 • Fax: 01480 414186 Email: conservation@haymills.com • Website: www.haymillsconservation.com Brickwork Carpentry Facade Cleaning and Repair Fire Damage Reinstatement Flint Work Joinery Lime Mortar Repairs Lime Plastering and Rendering Monuments and Statuary Stonemasonary Timber Frame Repairs Wattle and Daub
C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 9 Conference report: On the Waterfront Chequered histories and distinctive futures Port cities provided the main theme for a number of conferences in the second half of 2008, including in France (see ‘Picking up the threads in Lyon’, Context 106, September 2008), Germany and the United States. This focus of interest reflects the fact that at least half of the world’s cities were founded at locations that profited from trading and other links by sea, river or canal. Perhaps the most prestigious of the year’s international events, was On the Waterfront, a three-day conference held in November at the newly completed BT Conference Centre, immediately to the south of the Liverpool’s showpiece heritage-led regeneration of Albert Dock. Organised by English Heritage, Cities on the Edge, Liverpool City Council and the University of Liverpool, the theme Culture, Heritage and Regeneration of Port Cities addressed issues that relate primarily to larger maritime ports. The conference included keynote presentations from such disparate port cities as Antwerp, Valletta, Lagos and Shanghai, and highlighted characteristics that are specific to the likes of Baltimore, Bilbao, Mumbai, Savannah, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto and Valparaiso. On theWaterfront debated the distinct identity of historic port cities, the need for regeneration yet desire for authenticity, and their adaptability and cultural diversity.The relationship between a port’s history and its emerging 21st century waterfront was also addressed. In his introductory address, Sir Neil Cossons, former chairman of English Heritage, described Liverpool ‘as the extreme metaphor of port cities around the world,’ a city that has known both great times and tough times. Once a great transatlantic port at the centre of huge global economies, Liverpool was subsequently overwhelmed by the changeover in international shipping practices to containerisation, and by the gravitational pull of the south east of England and Europe. Noting the resourcefulness of its people, their resilience and humour, and a cultural richness, Sir Neil stressed the need for new cultural models that reflect the specific nature of historic port cities and do not replicate norms that may be relevant elsewhere. Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, set out the logic for understanding heritage significance and sense of place as the basis for defining what we are trying to preserve in port cities: specifically, their evidential value (the physical evidence of past shipping activities), their historical value (the means to interpret their evolution), their aesthetic value, and their communal value (meaning and memory within the local community). Andy Burnham MP, Liverpool-born and the first northerner to be appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, grew up in the city at a time when its fortunes were at rock bottom and its future direction was unclear. Speaking of the riches of the built heritage and living culture of the city, The On theWaterfront conference formed part of Liverpool’s programme for European Capital of Culture 2008. The historic waterfront at Gdansk, Poland, one of the six partners of Cities on the Edge.
10 C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 he emphasised the relationship between identity, sense of belonging and security in a globalised world. This relationship involved the rich mix of communities, races and faiths that characterise port cities generally, and the mood of confidence, tolerance and openness that has underpinned the recent success of Liverpool, as manifested to a global audience in the city’s year as European Capital of Culture. Burnham spoke of heritage as a potent driver in the new economy of the city, shattering negative perceptions and reviving people’s sense of hope and pride, providing a vision for the future and a platform for creative talent which are all symptomatic of durable regeneration. Robert Lee, professor of economic and social history at Liverpool University, articulated the cycles of retreat followed by regeneration that have impacted on the waterfront spaces of port cities around the world, and how conservation as a construct has tended to purify the past of its social and ethnic plurality. As waterfronts have been revitalised to encourage cruise ships, cultural tourism and the development of prestige apartments and offices, so have they become ‘contested landscapes’ from which traces of their traditional working class and anarchic vibrancy have been marginalised. Sanitised spaces, they have rejected the richness of their past and lost their distinctive sense of place. Lee urged greater understanding and a more balanced and consensual approach to the regeneration of waterfronts: one that creates social bridges rather than barriers, and embraces ecological considerations as well as conservation principles. Sir Bob Scott, international director of the Liverpool Culture Company, addressed the significance of Liverpool as a European port city and as the principal port of emigration to the new world in the 19th century. Sir Bob was the inspiration behind Cities on the Edge, a cultural partnership of six port cities (Bremen, Gdansk, Istanbul, Liverpool, Marseille and Naples) all of which share vivid ‘sailor town’ histories; distinctive traditions and people; a dark side; an irreverent sense of humour; a passion for football; and an international image that is more favourable than their national one. Franco Bianchini, professor of cultural policy and planning at Leeds Metropolitan University, commended the successful reconnection of the historic centre of Genoa (European Capital of Culture 2004), with its old harbour. The barriers between high and popular culture in Genoa are undefined. From the restoration of renaissance palaces to the conversion and extension of harbour-side warehouses for cultural and leisure activities, the common factor is fluid public access and use. Standardised regeneration models for port cities around the world, whether the result of direct market forces or public-private partnerships, tend towards gentrification and the erosion of local distinctiveness. One key question to come out of this conference was whether the specific characteristics of individual port cities offered an alternative to globalisation, or whether their chequered history placed them among the last places to globalise. If the latter, are they at risk of becoming anywhere places, clones of each other, especially at their waterfronts? Dennis Rodwell consultant in cultural heritage and sustainable urban development Above and below: Genoa, Italy, a city whose waterfront abounds with marginal, sailor-town colour and vibrancy.
C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 11 REPLICA, HISTORIC STEEL WINDOWS & ROOFLIGHTS 01428 643393 www.clementsteelwindows.com Sustainable steel...made from recycled metal from 17th to 21st century A FAMILY COMPANY IN THE SAME OWNERSHIP FOR OVER 100 YEARS CSW_BUILDING CONV DIR_124x86 8/2/08 12:17 Page 1 ACANTHUS ARCHITECTS CONSERVATION HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONSERVATION LED REGENERATION NEW BUILDINGS IN HISTORIC ENVIRONMENTS Prior Park College, Bath BANBURY Acanthus Clews Architects 01295 702600 BRISTOL Acanthus Ferguson Mann 0117 929 9293 CHISWICK Acanthus LW Architects 020 8994 2288 HUNTLY Acanthus Douglas Forrest 01466 793400 LEEDS Acanthus WSM 0113 239 3414 PEMBROKE Acanthus Holden 01646 685472 TOTNES Acanthus Ferguson Mann 01803 840300 TUNBRIDGEWELLS Stuart Page Architects 01892 862548 www.acanthus.co.uk Since 1994, nearly one third of the local authorities in England and Wales have made use of our services. We can help you with: � Conservation Area Management � Characterisation Studies � Conservation Plans � Site evaluations and building assessments � Article 4 Directions � Buildings at Risk Surveys � Local and statutory lists � Urban design and the public realm � Regeneration grant bids � Conservation audits and strategies � Staff training and locum support For further information, please contact Eddie Booth or Chezel Bird on 01285 642428 or email us on: info@theconservationstudio.co.uk www.theconservationstudio.co.uk 1 Q U E R N S L A N E C I R E N C E S T E R G L O S G L 7 1 R L T H E CONSERVATION STUDIO CINTEC INTERNATIONAL Discrete Structural Repair Solutions Keyhole surgery for buildings provided by over 20 years experience and expertise in the structural stabilisation, repair and conservation of the nation’s historically important buildings and structures. Working worldwide with Heritage Authorities, conservation architects and engineers to preserve the past for the future. UK : 11 Gold Tops, Newport, NP20 4PH tel 01633 246614 fax 01633 246110 Email: hqcintec@cintec.co.uk www.cintec.co.uk
12 C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 Conference report: Agencies Coordinating Group Place, space and conservation This conference, exploring the impact of heritage-led regeneration on crime reduction, health and social, and community cohesion, was held in the splendid setting of Gorton Monastery Manchester over two days in November. It was the largest joint event organised by the Agencies Coordinating Group, which brings together five of the UK’s leading heritage organisations: Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), Civic Trust, Prince’s Regeneration Trust, UK Association of Preservation Trusts (APT) and IHBC. The group has been working to ensure better coordination of activities, to involve members in each others’ work and to help build capacity in the sector. Our work with the group typifies the IHBC’s continuing approach to working in partnership with others. The conference opened on a sad note: tributes were paid to Hilary, Lady Weir, conservation stalwart and firm supporter of all the group member bodies. The tributes were led by APT chairman Colin Johns and Ros Kerslake of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, who read words from the Prince of Wales. These were reminders of a life that shaped others’ with her energetic work in conservation and enthusiasm for the challenges of building preservation. The opening day focused on the widest social context of the group’s main business, conservation-led and community-based regeneration. Sue Clifford kicked off energetically with a thoughtful and committed talk. She urged us to seek out peculiarity and patina, and see how local distinctiveness was made by ‘the accumulation of story upon history upon natural history’. Five weeks into her new role as chair of Heritage Lottery Fund Jenny Abramski had been on a whirlwind tour of HLF projects around the UK. She had already visited Blaenavon, the Thames Gateway, Ancoats, Kelvingrove, Harwood House and York Minster. She realised, ‘in my short time… that the contribution of Lottery funding for heritage isn’t as well understood by the public as it should be. Heritage seems, at times, to be arguably still in the shadow of the arts on both public and government agendas.’ Abramski’s presentation showed the impact of HLF-funded work nationwide. She painted a picture of the HLF’s special role in this regeneration picture being not restricted to that of funder. ‘Our role as well is to provide the reminder, at a strategic level, about the history of people and communities, about the places and existing people in an area that can be easily overlooked in the pressure, intensity and sheer complexity of the heavyduty tasks in regeneration of housing, jobs, transport,’ Abramski said. She concluded that the HLF wanted to work closely with partners to celebrate the achievements of Lottery funding ‘because everyone from Lottery players to government should recognise the value of spending Lottery money on our heritage, and the special contribution it continues to make to strong, vibrant communities throughout the UK.’ Chris Oldershaw, chief executive of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company, asked ‘Can heritage power urban regeneration?’ Drawing on examples from his previous life in Grainger Town and the work currently under way in Gloucester, he was able to illustrate a positive response to the question. A double-handed appearance from Ian Lush of the Architectural Heritage Fund and researcher Ela Palmer presented the research commissioned through the Agencies Coordinating Group to examine the current evidence base for the social impacts of heritage-led regeneration. The conclusions clearly indicate that heritage-led regeneration can have an influence on social issues such as crime, health, education and social capital. The full conclusions of this work are on page 12 of this issue of Context. Sue Clifford Chris Oldershaw Ian Lush
C O N T E X T 1 0 8 : M A R C H 2 0 0 9 13 The Penryn Townscape Heritage Initiative, described by Alyson Cooper, has clearly ‘Put back the heart and soul’ into one Cornish town. Cooper was not simply concentrating on her own achievements in Carrick, as she was able to illustrate the benefits of such schemes to other parts of Cornwall. Jamie Coath of Purcell Miller Tritton illustrated his company’s restoration work at a number of sites, most notably that at Kirkstall Abbey inYorkshire. Peter Wakelin, secretary of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, and John Rodger, world heritage site coordinator, explained passionately the history of the world heritage site at Blaenavon and how lessons could be learnt on world heritage and regeneration. Paul Squires of the Civic Trust and David Habershon of High Street Great Malvern described the Civic Trust’s High Street UK programme of resident-led high street regeneration, and its incarnation in Malvern. Later that evening delegates enjoyed a reception sponsored by the city council and dinner in Gorton Monastery, then transformed by candlelight. Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs was both entertaining and relevant to the conference subject as after-dinner speaker. Seeking a wider recognition of the quality and importance of historic places in community life (and a collective noun for conservation officers on which, sadly, no suggestions were forthcoming), his talk had something for every one of the wide range of delegates. The second day focused on the practical outputs and impacts of mainstream conservation-led regeneration. Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, opened the day expressing his sensitivity to historic environment priorities for local communities. This led to the story of the conference venue, Gorton Monastery, which was told by Paul Refford, vice chair of the Monastery of St Francis and Gorton Trust. This hard-working initiative has given new life and purpose to Pugin’s Franciscan Monastery and continues its remarkable work to restore the building and develop its role in the local community. Ulster Says Yes! was Dawson Stelfox’s rallying call, while describing regeneration projects in Northern Ireland. Paul Hartley of Stockport demonstrated the long-term gains from a strategic approach to regeneration through the restoration of Stockport’s medieval market area. The hilltop area was in serious decline, and buildings were unused and derelict. The project included compulsorily purchase to tackle blocks of buildings, with complex ownership issues, and award-winning new buildings. Anne McChlery of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust used the Castlemilk Stables Project as an example of the strong work of local BPTs with the surrounding community. The project restored the external elevations of the 1,790 stables, adding a simple glass and steel cloister and inner foyer, which give a view of the original fabric. This creates a modern, multi-use space for offices of the local housing associations, a children’s nursery, a base for community and environmental organisations, community training facilities and leisure space. Barry Quirk, chief executive of Lewisham and author of the Quirk Report on Asset Management and Asset Transfer covered the background to his recommendations on asset transfer (www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ communities/makingassetswork). Looking first at local authorities’ corporate relationship with community, he summarised how, with proper risk management, property transfer from council to community could benefit the built environment. Anne Marie Naylor spoke of the Development Trust Association’s role in the process. The opportunity the initiative represents for building preservation trusts was also explored. The recent appointment of the IHBC’s chair, Dave Chetwyn, to the stakeholder group for the Asset Transfer Unit of the CLG confirms the success the institute, with other conference partners, has had in emphasising the close connection between asset transfer and community-generated, conservation-led regeneration. The IHBC has been building capacity in the sector by supporting the event and its associated research by IHBC member Ela Palmer.We also wanted to emphasise our special professional relevance to BPTs through our stand at the event. This was well visited, enabling us to raise awareness of our work with those involved in local civic societies and building preservation trusts. Fiona Newton, IHBC projects officer, projects@ihbc.org.uk Alyson Cooper Anne McChlery
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