C O N T E X T 1 2 1 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1 11 IHBC Annual School Annual School 2011 School 2011 IHBC An 2011 IHBC Annual S IHBC Annual School School 2011 IHBC IHBC Annual Scho way as to make projects more complex. Falk challenged us to consider whether we should accept that not all buildings could be saved. Should buildings without roofs be regarded as ‘dead’? The question he posed about whether we could make do with fewer expensive technical studies struck a chord with many of us. Tony Burton of Civic Voice followed with a very polished talk about engagement with the community who, he said, could contribute a great deal more than councils sometimes believe. He talked about the proposed ‘community right to protect’ arising out of the Localism Bill. He invited us to do the ‘heritage challenge’. Phil Roach, IHBC Wales’ very own answer to Max Boyce, gave a diverse talk about many aspects of Welsh culture. He pointed out the gap that heritage professionals sometimes had to bridge to get our message across. The fact that we valued a Georgian dresser so much more than the adjacent sash window by the same craftsman was so true, yet so frustrating. As was the story of Dai on his island building a chapel that he resolutely would not go to. Jim MacDonald talked about Learning Towns and Delivering Better Places, both initiatives of Architecture and Design Scotland. Rob Cowan of Urban Design Skills concluded with a masterful talk about how we could get it so wrong with modern development. No wonder, perhaps, when he explained that 84 per cent of planning applications were submitted by people with no design training. He had kindly arranged for a free copy of his excellent recent publication Qualityreviewer to be in our delegate packs. Some of us are still trying to get our heads round Berthold Lubetkin’s view, reported by Cowan, that ‘There are only four kinds of artistic activity: fine art, music, poetry and ornamental pastry cooking, of which architecture is a minor branch.’ Jo Evans reflects on the Annual Dinner in her Notes from the chair (p36). The School rounded off with visits on Saturday morning. One group went to Conwy, principally to see Plas Mawr, the remarkable Elizabethan town house now lime-rendered and in Cadw’s care. Another group went to Lady Forester’s Convalescent Home to see what the private sector had achieved in adapting and extending a fine early 20th century building, keeping it in the use for which it was originally built. They went on to St George’s School, a highly regarded example of what a building preservation trust can achieve by rescuing an historic building for community benefit. The third group went further afield to Penrhyn Quarry. They were taken up to the heights of an extraordinary industrial landscape and given the opportunity to try their hand at splitting slate. Penrhyn has provided roofing material for buildings all over the world. It was heartening there was still steady demand for this quality Welsh product. So ended another successful IHBC Annual School. Edward Holland, with help from Eddie Booth and Jo Evans The tour of the Oriel Mostyn Gallery: left, DominicWilliams of Ellis Williams Architects points out recent repairs and alterations; and, right, Dave Chetwyn and Trefor Thorpe discover kinetic artwork in the gallery’s extension Delegates visiting the Penrhyn Quarry (Photo: RobertWalker) Qualityreviewer: distributed to delegates
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=