Architectural Conservation

Our program features a series of guest lectures, offering students the chance to learn from leading experts in Architectural Heritage and Conservation. The most recent lecture in our ‘Conservation Principles’ module was delivered by Prof. Elizabeth McKellar, President of the Society of Architectural Historians. Prof. McKellar spoke on ‘John Summerson and the Growth of Heritage ‘Officialdom’ from the 1940s: the National Building Record, post-war listing, and the Historic Building Council’. The students were excited to hear Prof. McKellar’s insights, and an engaging discussion followed.

Elizabeth McKellar is Professor Emerita in Architectural History at the Open University having previously held posts at Birkbeck College, London and the Victoria and Albert Museum, where she was Head of Higher Education.  She specialises in British architecture and culture and urbanism, particularly that of London.  She is the author of many books and articles including: The Birth of Modern London: the development and design of the city 1660-1720 (MUP, 1999); Articulating British Classicism: New Approaches in Eighteenth-Century Architecture (Ashgate, 2004); Neo-Georgian Architecture 1880-1970: a reappraisal (Historic England, 2016); and Landscapes of London: the City, the Country and the Suburbs 1660-1840 (YUP, 2013).  She held a Leverhulme Research Fellowship in 2011-12 to research the latter book which was the winner of the Society of Architectural Historians (US) Elisabeth Blair Macdougall Award 2017.  She has previously been a member of the Editorial Board of The London Journal, The London Record Society and a member of Historic England’s London Advisory Committee.  She is currently the President of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain and is writing a cultural biography of Sir John Summerson, for which she was awarded a Paul Mellon Senior Fellowship in 2018-19 and a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship for 2021-23.

This new blog series highlights the inspiring achievements of the graduates of our MSc in Architectural Conservation at Kent. In today’s post, we feature Nicci Obholzer, a 2017 graduate, who is now the Senior Collections and House Officer at the National Trust, working at the iconic Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Nicci shares her exciting journey from studying in Canterbury to her current role with the National Trust:

“I was a little nervous when I joined the Architectural Conservation MSc course at Kent.  I was not an architect, surveyor, or structural engineer; instead, my first degree was in Politics, Philosophy and History and I went on to work in the House of Lords and the Freud Museum.  Taking a long career-break to raise children, I wanted to take a course that was more vocational and focussed, but nonetheless reflected my interest in history.

The breadth of the course was fantastic: from architectural history (my favourite), to the conservation/ restoration debates, to the more technical, scientific elements to make sure your building does not fall down!  This latter element I found the most difficult, not being an especially mathsy person, but I got by!  My final dissertation was on the history of restoration and renewal at the Palace of Westminster.

Once I had graduated with a Merit in the MSc (damn that gravity essay on a Gothic load bearing arch!), I began to look around for jobs.  I got an interview as an inspector of churches for the Church of England.  I was very nervous – it was my first interview in 17 years! – and I wasn’t offered the job.  I began to volunteer at Smallhythe Place, a National Trust property on the Kent / Sussex borders.  Soon a job came up there, and my fascination with building phases of this extraordinary 15^th/ 16^th century building, together with my knowledge and understanding of the collection there of Victorian actress, Ellen Terry, because of my volunteering, meant I got the job.  I haven’t looked back.

I now work at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, where I’m responsible for the upkeep of the buildings as well as caring, interpreting and curating the collection of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. I would not have this wonderful job had I not got my Architectural Conservation masters, so I will ever be thankful to Nikolaos Karydis and Manolo Guerci for accepting me onto the course and for propelling me towards my new career.”

The students of the programme recently completed work on their dissertations. This module is entirely flexible, giving the students the opportunity to choose their topics according to their special interests within the fields of heritage and conservation. In this 10th year of the programme we had a great team of students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds. This is reflected in the varied dissertation topics ranging from theoretical essays and the drafting of conservation plans to the detailed design of intervention proposals.

Here is a selection of this year’s topics:

Judit Heli – Conservation Plan and Design Proposal for the Summer House of the Charlton House Estate

The dissertation focuses on the ‘Summer House’ of the Charlton House Estate ( Greenwich, UK). As part of the Jacobean compound, the Summer House was possibly built slightly later than the main building, Charlton House, in the 1630s. Attributed to Inigo Jones and constructed as a belvedere overlooking the cityscape of Greenwich and the River Thames, this beautiful building has changed use over the years, and has been called a ‘summer house’, ‘garden house’, ‘banqueting house’, ‘pavilion’, ‘orangery’, ‘drinking house’, and ‘armory’. The building was converted and used as a public toilet from the 1920s until the 1990s, while during wartime, it served as an air raid shelter. Following these periods of use, it was neglected and subjected to serious vandalism. Today, the Summer House is maintained by The Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust. The Trust executed much-needed preservation works in 2018. Despite these efforts the building remains disused to this day.

The dissertation aims to propose an intervention to infuse new life into this small ‘jewelry box’, which serves as a gateway to both Charlton Village and Charlton Park. Positioned strategically, the building could act as the ‘front door’ to the estate and the park, while also serving as a connecting element between village life and park activities, potentially making a significant impact on both. Furthermore, aligned with the Trust’s vision, the proposal aims to offer a wide variety of community and cultural uses, while ensuring appropriate historical interpretation. Additionally, the proposal intends to include ideas to generate income to guarantee the long-term future of the building.

 

Fizza Abbasi – Conservation and Tourism: Balancing Preservation and Economic Development in UK

‘This dissertation investigates the UK policies that reconcile heritage conservation with tourist development. It explores the role of government agencies, heritage organizations, and local communities  in shaping these policies and implementing conservation initiatives. It also analysed the negative effects of overtourism, such as the damage too historic structures, and socio-economic pressure of designing newer structures as in the case of the Redevelopment Plan of the Folkstone Harbour and Canterbury.’

Iwona Debowska – Window Conservation and Restoration at Clandon Park, Surrey

Prior to being destroyed by fire in 2015, Clandon Park was one of the country’s finest eighteenth-century mansions. Owned by the National Trust (NT), the property is now subject to a major intervention, and Iwona is part of an architectural conservation team with a particular role in surveying and documenting the joinery and glazing elements of the windows. It is the documenting and conservation of these based on their historical context that forms the subject of this dissertation. The windows are predominately of a sash variety and have undergone complex development over their almost 300-year history. As a result of the fire, they are in varying states of repair: some have been completely destroyed, whereas others remain in good condition. This calls for a range of repair and restoration approaches, which constitute the focus of this dissertation

 

Ruchi Makwana – Conserving Heritage through Adaptive Reuse: Transforming Boxley Abbey

Using the Hospitium of Boxley Abbey (Maidstone, Kent) as a case study, this dissertation aims to develop a new framework for the preservation and adaptive reuse of medieval buildings.

 

Gareth Dennis – Conservation of Public Houses

The pub is a fundamental part of the heritage of the British social fabric, and one that is very clearly at risk. The current legal, ethical and legislative framework is clearly inadequate to protect these vulnerable heritage assets. Regional campaigns have saved individual pubs but clearly haven’t protected the architectural heritage of pubs and especially and especially its intangible aspect. I propose to explore this complex issue via case studies focussing on the regional context of rural South Wales. The key questions are: how has the nature of the pub altered the evolution of the historic buildings it is housed in? How can the presence of the pub impact the protection of the built heritage asset? How secure is the current business? And: what is required from the legal and administrative framework to protect these unique pieces of cultural heritage (often the only non-residential building in a village other than a church)?

 

Tracey Clarke – Preservation Matters – Artefacts versus Buildings: The challenge of creating museum spaces in historic buildings (and the resulting impact on preservation)

This dissertation examines the extent to which historic buildings, not originally intended for use as museums, need to be altered to accommodate this use. I will consider if the significance of the heritage asset is harmed through such interventions and question whether the preservation of artefacts is placed above the preservation of the historic building. I intend to examine the key requirements of museums, including environmental controls, lighting, security and loading and how historic buildings need to be altered to accommodate these reuirements.

 

 

 

 

 

The students of the MSc in Architectural Conservation recently explored the rich architectural heritage of Sandwich, one of the best preserved Historic Towns of the UK. Walking around the beautiful streets and alleys of the city we were able to trace its development from one of the flourishing Cinque Ports to the settlement of Flemish refugees in the 16th century. Sandwich has three wonderful medieval churches. We were particularly interested in the beautiful Norman Sculpture of St. Clement’s, and the complex fabric of St. Peter’s. The latter’s current form is the result of different phases of construction, including a drastic 17th-centurty repair. Having spotted the few traces of the city’s 13th and 14th century secular architecture, we examined the town’s rich timber-framing tradition and its wonderful Georgian townhouses. We were even able to have a look at the ‘Salutation’, one of the most beautiful country houses designed by Edwin Lutyens, which is not usually open to the public. All these explorations added together made for an inspiring and enjoyable day and an escape from the intense work of our students on their dissertations.

 

Our current student Fizza Abbasi writes about the MSc in Architectural Conservation, focusing on the programme’s employment opportunities, field trips, ‘hands-on’ approach to conservation, and our critical view of its implementation in the historic sites of Kent.

‘As I sit down to reflect on my journey through the MSc Architectural Conservation program, I can’t help but marvel at the depth of knowledge I’ve gained and the transformative impact it’s had on my perspective of conservation. From the intricacies of conservation theory to the hands-on technical skills essential for preserving historic sites, this course has been nothing short of a wonderful experience for me as an international student coming to the UK.

One of the most unique aspects of studying in Canterbury is the unparalleled access to the city’s rich historical tapestry. Canterbury, with its majestic Cathedral and storied past, serves not just as a backdrop but as an integral part of our education. The opportunity to witness firsthand the conservation efforts on a World Heritage Site and field trips to various parts of Kent including, Maidstone, Charing, Ramsgate, Sheerness on the sea, Dover, etc were an invaluable resource, enriching our learning experience in profound ways.

This program is not just about passive observation; it’s about active engagement and empowerment. Whether it’s delving into conservation philosophy or mastering the technical intricacies of repair and reconstruction, every aspect of the curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking and practical expertise.

As part of my coursework project entitled ‘The Impact of Heritage Legislation: A Case study of St. Martin’s church, Herne Bay’, I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Jonathan Deeming from Purcell and hear his insights regarding the current statutory framework for the conservation of churches especially in the case of Canterbury Cathedral. At the end of his discussion, I was offered working experience at Purcell, Canterbury in February 2024.

I was able to work alongside some of the senior architects; Stephen Athanasiou, Neil King, and Lian Harter attending site and reviewing completed works in relation to the conservation and restoration of listed buildings including the Eastbridge Hospital, Assisi Cottage, etc. I went on some live sites including Canterbury Cathedral to see conservation in action and help in the documentation of pinnacles of the cathedral, assisted in the Heritage assessment report of the Assisi cottage anf reviewed a Conservation Management Plan for Madeira Terrace in Brighton. Overall, the experience was really an eye opener for me, and motivated me with a sense of purpose and responsibility, inspiring me as I am about to write my dissertation.’

 

The MSc in Architectural Conservation of the University of Kent provides training for planning officers and many of our graduates currently hold conservation officer roles in London and Southeast England. Tracey Clarke combines her current studies in our programme with her role as Heritage Officer at Dover Distric Council. In the following text, Tracey shares some highlights of her Conservation studies at Kent, alongside some stunning photos of historic buildings she has visited and surveyed in our programme:

‘Historic buildings and ancient ruins have intrigued me since my childhood, so it was no surprise I followed this path in my career. I work as a Heritage Officer for Dover District Council and determine Listed Building Consent applications and act as consultee for Planning Applications. The MSc in Architectural Conservation at the University of Kent has perfectly complimented my job (and vice-versa) and I have studied this on a part-time basis.

The MSc covers an interesting range of topics with site visits consolidating the learning. Visits to Canterbury Cathedral to walk through the roof structure, Fort Burgoyne, St George’s Church in Ramsgate and Chatham Historic Dockyards were particularly enjoyable, especially with the opportunity to enter normally inaccessible areas. Even when that included a rather hairy ascent up St George’s belltower and lighthouse on a slightly windy day!

I have focused on some fascinating buildings for my assessments whilst learning about conservation principles, philosophies and legislation or structural analysis, repairs and interventions. These have included a wide range of case studies, from 12^th-century churches and a 14^th-century Great Hall to 17 Fleet Street, and early 17^th-century building that survived the Great Fire of London. I believe the MSc has provided me with the knowledge and ability to read buildings more effectively and understand the processes of preservation, repair and change. All of which help me make more informed decisions as a Heritage Officer.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judit Heli’s work on the Spring Term module ‘Intervention at Historic Buildings’ involves the preparation of a new Conservation Plan aimed at revitalizing the Great Hall of Charing Palace. This major Scheduled Monument is currently owned by Spitalfields Trust. Earlier this year, the Trust invited the students of the MSc in Architectural Conservation to study the building and use it as a case study. As Judit notes, ‘the hall’s evolution from a palace hall to a barn and, later, to an oasthouse, makes this a particularly inspiring backdrop. I was particularly interested in the industrial oast-conversion, which lay the foundation for my intervention concept.’

As the project’s name ‘(h)all-round’ suggests, the proposal ‘aims to establish an adaptable space for diverse uses, providing public access to the Hall while integrating a manufacturing area to maintain continuity with the building’s past. While introducing modern architectural elements to foster organic growth, ensuring coherence between old and new components, the approach emphasizes minimal interventions to the existing historic fabric. 

Rather than prescribing a specific function, the proposal offers a flexible occupancy scheme to accommodate various business models. This approach facilitates diversified occupation, enabling the adaptation of multiple sustainable business plans to ensure the building’s long-term usability and viability. Furthermore, the proposal includes recommendations based on case studies as part of the documentation, contributing to the preservation and economic sustainability of the building.’

 

Emily Darragh (MSc in Architectural Conservation 2023) writes vividly about her studies in Conservation at Kent.

‘As a student with no architectural background approaching the Architectural Conservation MSc was daunting. However, I had an appreciation for historic buildings through my BA in History and my volunteering with the National Trust’s conservators which both led me to look into the MSc in Architectural Conservation at Kent, as I was interested in developing skills in this area.

The lecturers were extremely supportive of those of us who did not have as much, or any, experience with architecture as a discipline. They encouraged us to join first year architecture students in their lecturers on CAD and Sketch Up to help us develop our skills to the same stage as more experienced students, on top of giving direction in our own seminars. We were encouraged to present the progression of our work each week which would be commented on by a lecturer, while viewing our peers work demonstrated potential methods of working.

We went on several fieldtrips, where we were able to learn firsthand how the ideas we were learning about were put into practice and were able to talk to those currently working on conservation projects such as that at St Andrews chapel and Canterbury Cathedral. These fieldtrips also made us aware of opportunities to gain our own experience and learn from others who work in the conservation of historic  buildings. For example through the Society for the Protection of Ancient Building’s Old House Project. Lecturers also encouraged us to attend volunteer events where we can learn more about building conservation. This support has helped me develop my skills in the field of conservation, gain hands on experience and meet experienced heritage and architectural professionals.’

While working on a live project of adaptive reuse, our students draw inspiration from major conservation projects around Kent. On 19 February, we visited the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, to explore some of the most stunning Georgian and Victorian buildings in the UK. Guided by Stephen Billington (Chatham Dockyard), our students observed the repairs to the stunning 1833 covered slip, one of the largest timber structures in Europe. They also had a guided tour of the 1801 Smithery, currently refurbished to house and display collections of the National Maritime Museum of Greenwich. One of the day’s highlights was the visit to the elegant interior of the Commissioner’s house, a fine example of early Georgian residential architecture. The day closed with a workshop inside the refurbished Joiner’s Shop, a Scheduled Monument featuring a hybrid timber and metal structure. This gave the students the opportunity to fully experience a reused fabric, not only through the lens of a conservation architect, but also from the point of view of the user.

Fieldtrips and work on live projects are a key aspect of the MSc in Architectural Conservation. Last week, our students started work on two facinating medieval monuments: the Archbishop’s Palace at Charing and St. Andrew’s Chapel, Boxley Abbey. The Charing Palace project marks our first collaboration with the Spitalfields Trust. During the next three months the students will carry out a detailed survey of the ‘Great Hall’ of the palace, and draft a plan for its future use and conservation. At the same time, we were very pleased to continue our collaboration with the prestigious Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). Visiting the medieval St. Andrew’s chapel, the students were guided into the recent repairs and the conservation challenges of this fascinating site. We discussed the discrete consolidation of the building, the sourcing of local building materials (including the clay used in the roof tiles and the lime mortar – calcinated and slaked on site), and the building’s sustainable new extension.