Dickon Robinson went on to describe the Kings Cross ten estates (including Lubetkin's Priory Green) where the trust is seeking to both modernise the buildings and have a big impact on the public realm (with £2 million Heritage Lottery Fund money to help both upgrade Lubetkin's buildings and implement his landscaping proposals). The trust is encouraging local people to find significance and value in their local environment. John Taylor of the Building Crafts College described another approach to involving local people, through the Kings Cross Partnership, BCC and COTAC (Conference on Training in Architectural Conservation) project to promote employment prospects for local people through education and training in traditional building crafts. Demonstrations and presentations to schools and ethnic community groups have been followed by prevocational events ("if they can make something with their own hands, you've got them hooked") and formal craft training. This inspirational project embodies many of the aims of Power of Place. While the BCC and COTAC are withdrawing from direct involvement, it is good to know the project will be continued through the Camden Training Centre. Afternoon study visits St Pancras Some of us saw the Kings Cross partnership trainees in action at St Pancras, and the enthusiasm of all involved. My special thanks to Graham Lee and colleagues at COTAC for organising the demonstrations, and to Margaret Davies for her fascinating tour of St Pancras Chambers. It was lovely to give a wider IHBC audience the opportunity to visit this stunning building, which is also of special significance as the venue where the Institute was launched. CONTEXT 71 : SEPTEMBER 2001 The World Squares Walk, organised by Robert Ayton, started in the courtyard of Burlington House, where repaving to the designs of Michael Hopkins and Partners is largely complete with granite setts and slabs replacing the tarmac. Next, to St James Square, where modern hedges and other plants have been removed and the gardens opened up. Then to Trafalgar Square and proposals by Foster and Partners to close the road outside the National Gallery, creating a pedestrian link to the centre of the Square. The thorny issue of the empty plinth was discussed. There was a brief stop in Leicester Square to hear about the major problems caused by the huge numbers of people using the north side en route from Piccadilly Circus to Covent Garden. Finally, after a quick sprint through Covent Garden Piazza, past the Royal Opera House redevelopment by BDP:Dixon Jones, we arrived at the courtyard of Somerset House to meet Tony Dyson. He gave us an interesting account of the transformation of the courtyard. The space with hidden fountains and no cars is a great success and has had no small influence on the work at Burlington House. The Paddington walk led by Graham King looked at the colossal challenge of redevelopment around the Station and the Canal Basin. It started at the historic junction of the Edgware Road and the Marylebone Flyover. Then to Paddington Green (church restored by Erith and Terry), along St Mary's Terrace, past early 19th century villas and terraces, to the Regents Canal. Then along Maida Vale to Warwick Avenue and Little Venice with a view of Street's St.Mary Magdalene. Under Westway with views across the Paddington Arm and the modern 179 Harrow Road (II*) now being restored. Then on to Paddington Station, Brunel's Grade I Listed masterpiece with restoration and redevelopment planned by Grimshaw. Out on to Praed Street and up London Road with the threatened Post Office and Mint Wing (both Grade II Listed). From South Wharf Road, up on to the footbridge over the Canal Basin to view redevelopment schemes by Farrell, Rogers, Broadway Malyan and SOM. Back into Norfolk Place past the listed St.Mary's Hospital and the Clarence Wing, returning to Praed Street and thence to Edgware Road. Behind the scenes at the Museums was a study visit to South Kensington led by David McDonald. The group was impressed by the quality of the architecture, particularly Waterhouse's magnificent terra cotta fa~ade of the Natural History Museum. The conference theme of setting standards was brought to life by a detailed presentation on the repair and maintenance of the terra cotta by Kevin Rellis. The visit continued outdoors to view the recent extension to the museum by HOKArchitects. We carried on to look at the different institutions' approaches to extending their buildings in a variety of architectural styles. These included impressive works by Richard MacCormac and Norman Foster. There was little enthusiasm however for Daniel Libeskind's proposed 'Spiral' extension at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The main visit ended here, but a few hardy souls continued up Exhibition Road to see the Royal Albert Hall and Albert Memorial. Their perseverance was suitably rewarded as the sun broke through to illuminate the goldleafed statue of Albert. We hoped that he was looking down with satisfaction at the re-inventing of the institutions for the 21st century. Both City Walks started with a Scenes from the ]HBC School, snapped by Gus Astley 15
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