C O N T E X T 1 2 8 : M A R C H 2 0 1 3 39 Conference report: IHBC London branch The inside story: dealing with historic interiors This year’s IHBC London day conference took place on 2 October 2012 at Denys Lasdun’s splendid Grade I listed Royal College of Physicians, Regents Park. Chaired by IHBC education secretary David McDonald, the conference explored the unprecedented pressure for change that poses a threat to fragile historic interiors. Ptolemy Dean’s up-beat keynote speech referred to projects involving the conversion and adaptation of historic buildings by some of our most revered architects, such as Hawksmoor. Dean struck a chord with his attention to detail, and seeing the potential in the secondary and service parts of domestic buildings. Speaking about interior finishes, Allyson McDermott stressed the importance of obtaining information about interiors: archaeology, context, methods and materials. Many original wallpaper examples survived in situ in reasonable condition, and even in fragmentary form they could provide a unique archaeological record of change and development. Evidence included photographs of wallpaper and date stamps. Often vestigial remains existed in layers and could provide a valuable historic record. David Drewe, head of English Heritage’s building services engineering and safety team, ran through the history of building services, early versions of which were introduced quite early on, following the industrial revolution.These included gas utilities in 1812; central heating using large pipes; high-pressure hot water; passenger lifts in the 1850s; and electrical power stations in 1882. The driving force for the introduction of services was the wish to control the internal environment, driven in part by the growth of the middle classes and their desire for higher living standards. Drewe advised that, while there were many sets of regulations governing the safety and energy efficiency of services, there could be no standard specific solution as to how to install in listed buildings. He advocated a methodical approach following standard steps, addressing plan, survey, aesthetics, routeing, builders’ work and reversibility. Ylva Dahnsjo of the National Trust explored the rethinking of the trust’s philosophy on the presentation of its interiors. Emphasis on personality and atmosphere had transformed houses such as Petworth, where the visitor experience was now focused through the eyes of the artist Turner and the atmosphere that his paintings contributed. In a similar way, Knole had exploited its connections with VirginiaWoolf.The use of light and shade within the house recalled her work and enhanced the atmosphere of the interiors. Enhanced visitor access and freedom were now promoted in trust properties with the removal of many obstacles, while sacrificial furniture allowed visitors to sit and feel at home. Pianos were now there to be played. Arranged props and tableaux fired the imagination, while contemporary art re-imagined historic paintings. Continuing conservation projects were presented as part of the visitor experience, with concealed objects brought into focus with descriptive notes.The focus was now on a personal, immersive experience. Impact on wear and tear had been reassessed in this new climate of freedom; in downplaying the museum aesthetic, the trust could still preserve and protect. Neil Burton of the Architectural History Practice started his presentation by pointing out that the evidence for interiors of domestic houses in the Georgian period came from the surviving examples, books, London Metropolitan Archives, former Greater London Council archival collections, and planning records. Burton raised issues of interiors of Georgian buildings such as Craven Street, designed by Henry Flitcroft in the 1790s, which had been in residential use for about 200 years, but later taken over for office use. Much of the panelling was removed without authority, and some recovered and re-used.There was no record of what was original and what was replacement panelling.This made it difficult to quantify historic significance. He made a general observation that it was hard to set up a standard system of significance. Many houses had a complicated history. Statutory list descriptions were often not helpful, as descriptions of interiors were often absent. Interiors were also likely to have gone through changes over the years. Much research was required, but clients often felt that this was a luxury or even a nuisance. Research was time-consuming and might not reveal anything. Burton’s 16 New Street,St Helier,a restored and furnished GeorgianTown House,NationalTrust of Jersey (Photo:Allyson McDermott) Recreation of the flamboyant gold leaf wallpaper at the Great Midland Hotel, St Pancras (Photo: Allyson McDermott)
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