quite refined, but often the results are disappointing in design terms. Strike puts this down to the absence of an effective debate on the aesthetics of conservation. Planners, the public, or politicians ask for a 'sensitive' or 'sympathetic' approach. If this is ever to amount to more than mere subjective opinion, then the designer must draw on those qualities that can be used to make meaningful connections between the old and the new work, and then express them in symbolic form through the new buildings. Strike classifies the factors which can be used to inform new design in a historic setting as connections by association, by response to location, through the characteristics of the monument, connections by assimilation, and through the choice of presence or anonymity. Connections by association can be relatively overt, e.g. Hopkins' Mound Stand atLorcls, with its membrane roof evoking marquee tents and summer clays. Response to location requires understanding of the physical setting of the site, whether formal or informal, enclosed or open etc. This abstract analytical approach can produce results which are visually surprising, such as Ahrencl Burton and Koralek's Junior Common Room at Keble College, Oxford, or Hans Hollein's Haas Haus Shopping Centre opposite St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. But Strike argues convincingly as to why this is preferable to the use of regional vernacular traditions as a sort of medicine to 'cure' indifferent design, presumably on the grounds that local brick and clay tiles will make any monstrous shed plannerfriendly. At the moment there are a variety of factors which can be used to generate the design of the structure. How the building was used - the rationale of its plan; how the building is to be perceived - is it a facade or skin, or a three dimensional form; how new uses and new viability can be introduced by enclosure of space such as by roofing over an open courtyard or street or by the insertion of a new building inside the old one, such as the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester by Levitt Bernstein; how the demands for the preservation of fragile physical remains can be met; or how the need for a sense of Context56 December1997 separation can be fulfilled. Connections by assimilation are made when a physical element of the existing historic fabric is used as a link to the new architecture. This method works best when it does not involve replication. It can be straightforward, as in the way the roof profile of the restaurant at Hampton Court reflects the crenelations of the tower, it can be a more complex graduation as in Venturi's extension to the National Gallery which uses the classical language of the original building in increasingly diluted form across the facade of the new wing. Presence or anonymity is often the primary question for new architecture at historic sites. Architecture provides layers of history in our towns and cities and one popular view, which prefers to conceal the date of the modern layer, is certainly debatable. Strike's position is that the decision rests largely on the degree of homogeneity of the architectural context. This section also provides him with the opportunity to address some of the philosophical questions Conservation Officers face on a regular basis - whether to preserve or restore, whether to reinstate lost fabric and if so how to do it; whether to opt for something explicitly modern or to take the safe option and rebuild history, and so on. The subject matter of this book is of fundamental importance to all professionals involved in decisions about the nature of the architecture commissioned at historic sites. Strike covers a good deal of the ground and sets out a well-argued case for sensitive but explicitly modern architecture, often drawing on parallel situations in other arts like music and opera. There is a large and instructive field of study here for all stewards of the built heritage, and this book, if a little expensive, is a valuable and well-written primer to an uncler-stucliecl topic. Mick Downs BPTSECONDTIME AROUND How to Rescue a Ruin - by setting up a local Buildings Preservation Trust. Hilary Weir. Architectural Heritage Fund. 2nd edition 1997. 68pp. A4 Softback. 50 b+w photos & 8 drwgs. ISBN 0 9515468 1 3. £7.00 Cine. p+p) from Architectural Heritage Fund, Clareville House, 26/27 Oxenclon Street, London SWl Y 4EL. Although a national buildingsat-risk initiative has ground to a halt, county and district based registers continue to appear and good work in tackling the problem is being maintained by a minority of diligent local planning authorities and a small band of experienced local preservation trusts. Nevertheless, there remain large numbers of historic buildings in danger of demolition and there is evidence that the statutory powers are failing to make significant inroads into the estimated 37,000 buildings facing ruin or destruction as the numbers of buildings removed from registers are matched by new entries. Individuals and communities often feel powerless to act in the face of intransigence by owners and indifference or fear by local politicians. This book will help to empower those who want to step in and reverse this insidious process. Unless a new owner can be found for a ruin, statutory powers cannot be effective. The presence of a third party to undertake repairs is one of the most important factors in getting initiatives going within the community either through the local authority or by others. The most effective third party is often a local building preservation trust and this step-by-step practical handbook, will both help groups of individuals who wish to make a difference in their community by establishing a trust and also help existing trusts and others understand the various components which contribute towards the operation of an active and effective trust. This is the second and thoroughly revised edition of Rescuing a Ruin, as much has happened since the book first appeared in 1989. The number of 'revolving fund' BPTs has increased by about 50 to over 160 thanks to the tireless work of the Architectural Heritage Fund and the UK Association of Building Preservation Trusts (APT), which had only just then been established. The latter is now a major umbrella organisation with 166 members. There has been tremendous growth in the number of BPTs in Wales and this may be repeated in Northern Ireland. As in the first edition, the BOOKREVIEWS background to the BPT movement is explained as is the scope for the formation of new trusts. While there are now over 160 BPTs the distribution map clearly shows the need for more over much of the UK. The practicalities and the legal framework of establishing a BPT are discussed as is an outline of the management of a first project. Some introductory advice about VAT and sources of financial assistance are offered and readers are pointed towards other sources of information. There have also been far-reaching changes under the Charities Acts 1992 and 1993, the formation of the National Lottery with a scheme tailor-made to assist BPTs, and modifications to the scope and sources if grant aid as well as changes to the VAT rules affecting historic buildings projects. The Architectural Heritage Fund has now distilled 21 years experience of day-today involvement with BPTs in every part of the United Kingdom into this invaluable and very reasonably priced book. The better calibre of paper also means that the illustrations of 'ruins before' and 'rescues after' have been printed much more sharply than before. It is a pity that a new example for the cover was not chosen to illustrate that the movement and the content of the book have moved on, but no matter; How to rescue a Ruin has a highly persuasive story to tell, borne out by examples of just what a transformation can be achieved from small beginnings, effectively organised. Let us hope that many more people are encouraged to form BPTs by this book and that more inroads will now made on local buildings-at risk. There is still much to do. Julian K Trevor UNCONVENTIONAL DRAWINGS A Practical Guide toMeasuring & Drawing a Timber-Framed Building. Susan Brown for Essex Historic Buildings Group. 1997 A4 (landscape) 40pp .ISBN 0 9530946 0 X, £8.50 Cine.p+p). Cheques should be made out to "E.H.B.G." &sentto:TEWatkin, "Ashley", Willows Green, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 lQD. With the encouragement of PPG 15, the recording of historic buildings has never been such Continued on page 56 53
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