the creative individuality of their designers. The growth of the suburbs of Leicester is set in their historical context. The local geology expressed in many of the buildings is outlined as are the major local architectural practices. The central theme is the description of 14 suburbs followed by information on the significant houses within them. Many of these suburbs are not designated conservation areas and few of the houses are listed. Many of the houses described have remained remarkably unchanged and are illustrated by photos and expressive line drawings. Leicester University has found uses for some buildings which could no longer be maintained by their owners and so some of the best examples have escaped poor extensions, destructive modernisation or subdivision of their gardens for new houses which would ruin their settings. There is a section on suburban gardens, a commentary on the conservation issues raised by the study and a number of glossaries and indexes. For those with little knowledge of Leicester, this publication is an exemplary guide. It demonstrates the rich diversity of creative design and craftsmanship which went into the making of an era of beautiful houses and articulately demonstrates that such areas need informed conservation policies and enlightened owners if they are to preserve their rich character. Francis Biard Appreciatingthe patinaof age Durability and change - the science, responsibility, and cost of sustaining cultural heritage. Edited by W. E. Krumbein, P. Brimblecombe, D. E. Cosgrove and S. Staniforth. 305pp. Wiley. 1994. Hardback. ISBN O 471 95221 4. £80.00. Dahlem Workshtips were set up in 1974 to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of scientific ideas and to stimulate further research among international scientists. The participants are specially invited, and circulate their papers beforehand. Individual working groups of cross-disciplinary specialists discuss these papers with a view to shedding new perspectives on the reContext54 June1997 search and suggesting new directions for further investigation. The proceedings of the 15th conference held in 1992 form the contents of the current publication. Sixteen topic papers were presented. Four group reports sought to synthesise the findings on individual themes: what is durability? external environmental factors and change; strategies to evaluate change and sustain cultural heritage; and responsibility for cultural heritage. The conference did not pretend to take an inclusive view of all manifestations of cultural heritage, but only of certain physical expressions. We are, however, reminded that while decay is a universal natural dynamic it is a variable one dependent on the nature of the material or artefact and the environmental conditions in which it exists. Decay often assumes a cultural significance itself: David Lowenthal explores the aesthetics and appreciation of patination in history and how it could lend meaning and dignity to hereditary possessions. There is a need to understand these cultural meanings as well as the physical processes of decay in seeking to conserve an object. The greater part of the book is taken up with a scientific analysis of the physical, environmental and microbiological factors influencing the deterioration of stone, metals, and other fabrics. In this respect the study is of particular interest to building conservators. Urzi and Krumbein provide an extensive list of biological agents impacting on the cultural heritage, and outline how their effects can vary dependent on micro-climate or the nature of the material. Ginell considers how phy'sical factors - stress damage or heat can affect change. Shuster and others examine the effects of acid rain and sulphur dioxide on marble dissolution; Graedel looks at degradation of metals exposed to the atmosphere. These essays, although highly technical in content, and supported with complex chemical formulae and graphs, do nonetheless make important pointers to the lay reader about the complex interactions which must be understood before deriving conservative solutions. In an important paper Tennent stresses the need to integrate the art historian's work with that of the conservation scientist, and to give prominence to understanding the problem rather than seek a quick remedy. This suggestion is developed in Schuller's paper on the role of the architect in conservation where he describes the German practice ofBauborschung. A prerequisite to any intervention in an historic structure is an understanding of its history, archaeology, construction, and environment. This is investigated by a multi-clisciplina1y team of Bauforschers - literally building researchers -who interpret the building and its problems as a informed basis on which to plan its renovation or repair. British readers will hear echoes in this of the present debate on archaeological recording of standing buildings (see Carol Rosier's recent articles in Context 52 and 53), but it must be said the German approach is more thorough going and has much to recommend it. Although sometimes expressed in scientific language likely to be unfamiliar to most conservation professionals, this is a stimulating and informative book which demonstrates that successful conservation can only be practised in a reflective, inter-clisciplina1y framework. If it has a shortcoming it Illustrationsin thisissue BOOKS is that no consideration is given to reconciling this ideal with the political and time constrained world in which most clay to day conservation occurs. It is worth in conclusion looking at one very salutaty chapter, not about bricks and mortar but on the preservation of the recorded word or image. Reading it reminds us, of course, that buildings are part of a wider cultural inheritance but introduces too a note of practical caution as increasingly we are exhorted to record our interventions for the benefit of future generations. Paper, we all know deteriorates but can be readily copied. The written record has survived from Egyptian times, the printed record for half a millennium. The durability of new electronic media - tape or disk for example - on which increasingly we rely for space and technological reasons is unproven. Further, there is eve1y risk of electronically recorded material becoming unreadable in years to come as computer language changes or hardware becomes obsolete. If our notes and drawings are to remain usable a conservation strategy for our office records must become as much part of our practice as our care for the monuments themselves. Alan Taylor Front cover: Pickering Castle, photo Ian Hume pp 6 and 7: Eastgate and the Old Port, Chester. Photos: Peter de Figueircleo pp 8 and 9: Blackburn Engine House, Boughton Pumping Station, Nottinghamshire, photos: Philip Grover and Roy Lewis p 11: Rose garden at Emslie Horniman Pleasance, Kensal Town, London, photo: David McDonald p 14: Gardner's Brewery, Coggeshall, photo: Shane Gould p 15: Rochford Hospital, photo: Shane Gould p 16: Waltham Abbey South Site, photo: Shane Gould pp 17 and 18: aspects of site safety, photos: Ian Hume p 24: restored Pugin tiles at the House of Commons, photo: Leslie Durbin p 26: sample images from theOrion Heritage Management System p33 top: image from the Edinburgh Old Town computer model. p33 bottom: how Bryan Reading sees the IHBC. pp 34 and 35: gardens on the Register of parks and gardens of special historic interest in England, photos: English Heritage pp 36 and 37: structural repairs to timber. Photos: Brian Morton 51
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