Book Review - TrustNews December 09
Living Buildings. Architectural Conservation: Philosophy, Principles and Practice. by Donald Insall CBE, Vice-President of the City of Winchester Trust (published by Images Publishing £39.50)
This is a sumptuous, well produced book with a surprising number of illustrations, which could easily perform the role of a coffee table book. The numerous illustrations of new buildings are seductively photographed to promote a particular design approach. This, however, would be to ignore the seriousness of its purpose to inform practitioners and potential clients of how to rescue and bring endangered buildings back to a useful life.
This is a truly architectural book, starting with end papers showing Somerset House both in elevation and section enclosing a most enjoyable and human space within its townscape setting, close to the Houses of Parliament. Throughout, there are architectural drawings, a wonderful set of illuminating axonometrics as well as brilliant photographs of building defects and repair techniques. These are designed to convince people that old buildings are an important part of our cultural heritage well worth looking after and giving an appropriate new build setting.
Donald Insall is a modest, gentlemanly but essentially an heroic figure, who started practice in the post second world war era when old buildings were not well regarded and even seen as an impediment to economic redevelopment to the detriment of so many towns. He led a dedicated team of architects who with great thoroughness produced consistently good results over an astonishing wide range of projects, including such challenges as the repair of the House of Lords and Windsor Castle.
What professional students need to know is why particular decisions were made on these projects and, because Donald lectured for 30 years at the Specialist Conservation Courses at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, he is very good at giving explanations that are easy to follow.
Because Britain has historic building legislation that does not require the employment of conservation architects for listed building alterations, relying instead on the general planning system (hopefully advised by conservation officers), it leaves the possibility of opinionated people who are not designers by training having considerable power over what can be built. I see this book as providing evidence to challenge such abuses of power. It also has examples that can demonstrate to local authorities a better approach to run-down areas, like the Brooks in Winchester, than brutal slum clearance that destroyed everything.
Most of the Work of Local Authority Conservation Officers deals with far more humdrum proposals where one might wish that many more professionals would take time to analyse and find out historic information about buildings before submitting proposals on behalf of their clients. That would make the job of administering the legislation much easier. Donald Insall’s restoration of Hyde Barn, now sadly empty, is an example though not recorded in the book. This is an inspiring book, well worth the asking price.