LONDON2001 ANNUALSCHOOLREPORT Settingstandardsfor conservation JohnPrestonreports,with contributionsfrom JonFinney,CatherineCroft andPeterLongman. This report follows the article in Context 69 in which John Preston gave his first impressions of the IHBC School. Thursday:settingthe scene The IHBC's first London School, sponsored by William Thatch Ltd, started in characteristic April weather, with early arrivals getting decidedly damp on the walking tours led by Jon Finney and David McDonald around the Kings Cross-St Pancras area. The Thursday afternoon's two speakers were Andrew Saint and Phillip Davies, respectively exploring what is special about London's architectural history, and looking at current issues facing the capital in the context of wider political and strategic pressures. Andrew Saint was a historian at the GLC, before running the English Heritage London Region historians team. He is now professor of architectural history at Cambridge University. As a historian he criticised the way in which historical argument and historical precedent are rarely drawn on to inform current conservation debate, which he believes is because our "understanding of urban history is skin deep". Saint relishes the way in which London is open to multiple interpretations. To a large extent, it remains a city of major monuments with "dross" (sometimes fascinating dross) in between. Pointing out that it was not until Rasmussen and Summerson sang its praises that the flexible format of the Georgian 0/ 1\9\n .. L\ NGI.D~N 1$ ~X(.l'if\N~ J \\ ~l ---::•.\ I .. .z -.--=-- c_,.,. CONTEXT 71 : SEPTEMBER 2001 terrace house was cherished, Saint believes that this building type is now over-listed in London. In his view many terraced houses would be more appropriately given conservation area status only, and the respect and attention they are given detracts from the merit of later suburban housing, which eliminated the narrow frontage and standard footprint with back extension. Saint suggested that the Georgian terrace has become such an icon because intellectuals are frightened of the semi's symbolisation of suburban morality. Trying to redress this balance, Saint showed slides of outer London boroughs, and enthused about the scale and texture of suburban architecture and planning. His claim that "Hillingdon is exciting" was intended to provoke as much as his comments on listing, as was his insistence on the importance of building regulations and codes because "a common regime is critical to good architecture and distinctive cities". Defining what is distinctive about London is no easy task. Saint pointed out that the old LCC area has a greater coherence than what is now Greater London, and the sense of identity of London has suffered by not being clear where its boundaries should be drawn. Many recent projects (for instance the Dome and the Wheel) have been isolated stimuli reflecting a post- modern view of the city as a series of distinct experiences. In the face of pressure particularly from new high rise development, Saint urged conservation officers to "stand up for the ordinary". Philip Davies, head of English Heritage London Region, has been closely involved in considering both individual applications for high buildings, and developing a strategic approach. He emphasised that change involves making choices and that there are many directions in which we could choose to go, and different future cities which would result. He reminded us that London is a city of extremes, economically and ethnically diverse, and that successful management of our environment means drawing the right balance between continuity and THE INSTITUTE OF HISTORIC BUILDING CONSERVATION A/t,/t,/Ml,[Sc/wo{ 2001 change. He illustrated this with high profile projects including Somerset House and the highly controversial British Museum Great Court scheme. Moving on to to practicalities, Davies reminded us that EH still retains power of direction over listed building consent cases in the capital, although all except grade I and I* buildings, substantial demolitions and some building types (including theatres and transport buildings) are fully delegated to the boroughs, where EH is part funding 39 conservation officer posts. He emphasised the need for close coordination with bodies such as the GLA and CABE to create "joined-up thinking". Looking at London in a global context has helped create perspective. Davies suggested that if Paris is the City of Light and Rome is the Eternal City, London should be seen as the Green City, meaning not that we are especially environmentally sensitive but that we have a rich mix of parks and gardens. To reinforce this English Heritage has produced a map of pedestrian routes through London. They are also seeking to educate and influence DETR traffic engineers and other regeneration professionals. Making sure both conservation and good new design are high on everyone's agendas was a good message to hear but achieving results is not going to be easy. Even at this initial session some of the obstacles became clear. How English Heritage will coordinate with CABE is one issue. 13
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