C O N T E X T 9 9 : M A Y 2 0 0 7 Wales branch conference For the third year running the IHBC Wales branch is working in partnership with the Civic Trust for Wales to host its annual conference on Friday 22 June. The theme is Conservation Areas in Crisis. Speakers will include Nigel Hewitson, head of planning at Howard Kennedy Solicitors and former legal director at English Heritage; John Punter, commissioner at the Design Commission for Wales and professor of urban design at Cardiff University; PrimroseWilson, former chair of the Historic Buildings Council for Northern Ireland and deputy chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund. The afternoon session will consist of practical sessions. The venue is the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. The delegate rate is £80. Further details at www.civictrustwales.org. It’s in the bag Congratulations to Reg Morley, winner of the IHBC NorthWest newsletter’s caption competition. He is now the proud owner, apparently, of a bag of lime mortar. The runner up, Mike Scammell, had to be content with a bag of Portland cement. Hold your breath A marketing brochure for a development by Tidal Properties at Maryport in Cumbria offers ‘modern living spaces, with breathtaking views across the Solway Firth’. That’s not half of it. The scheme, apparently, is a redevelopment of a historic hamlet, designed by the architect and engineer Albert Gunn (1837–1904). Gunn achieved his aim of closely integrating everyday life with the rhythm of the tides by embedding homes into the harbour walls. The residents adapted to the need to seal up their houses when the tide was in: the original construction of the houses included the first waterproof door and window sealing units and dehumidifiers built into every room. The community worked a ‘tidal’ shift system. Half of them would be working the boats or mending nets outside while the other half would be inside their homes, getting much-needed rest and waiting for the receding tide before heading out to work. Unbelievable?You are right. The brochure and an associated exhibition turn out to be the work of the artist WilliamTitley, whose fevered brain conceived of Tidal Properties and its implausible scheme. Titley’s aim was to provoke the people of Maryport – whose regeneration is currently being planned – to think about the real-life issues involved in the processes of change. A few of the refurbished harbour wall properties are still available. Contact Tidal Properties for details. later medieval glass making, Kempe glass illuminates over 5,000 churches and cathedrals. Visit www.visitchurches.org.uk to book tickets for the Bodley and Kempe events. Climate revolution A lifesaving eco-house is being planted at the Eden Project to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on communities worldwide. Visitors will be able to step out of the biomes into the homes of Central American, African and Asian people, and experience a little of the reality of trying the survive the daily challenges of a changing climate. The eco-house, created by Christian Aid, is situated in the centre of the Eden Project against the backdrop of the biomes. It is part of the Eden Project’s Climate Revolution programme, which highlights the effects of global warming. Part of the display focuses on the UK. Christian Aid and the Eden Project are hoping it will inspire people to take action on climate change by reducing their own carbon emissions, adapting their lifestyles and campaigning for more government action to stop global warming. The eco-house will be at Eden for a limited time period, closing on 3 September 2007. New for old The Clore Learning Centre is a new resource for Hampton Court Palace, comprising a new single-storey reception building and refurbishment of the 17th century Barrack Block to provide educational facilities for visitors. The most significant building to have been built at Hampton Court for more than 150 years, it has presented a rare opportunity to integrate a new building within such a significant historic landscape. The form and orientation of the new reception building takes cues from the Palace roofscape and famous chimneys, the linear form of the Barrack Block building and the brick walls, both in adjacent historic buildings and in the immediate landscape of the palace grounds. The new single-storey steel framed building will provide teaching and support spaces as well as exhibition facilities to help visitor groups interpret the history of Hampton Court Palace. The new building is predominantly clothed in English hand-made imperial bricks and plain tiles, with seasoned oak for the glazed elevations. The Clore Learning Centre (photos: Paul Grogan) Albert Gunn’s waterproof masterpiece
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