Conservation

By the year 2005 it is estimated that 60% of the building industry's output will be rehabilitation, restoration & conservation. Conservation means many different things to different people - to us it means total commitment to doing more with less. Finding new uses for buildings in a way which exploits fully their inherent qualities. Working with what you have and going for evolutionary progress rather than radical change. This pragmatic and analytical approach does not rule out radical change entirely though and we have actively campaigned for demolition of existing buildings where the benefits are clear.

Conservation is an attitude of mind and is closely linked to what is currently termed Green Architecture. It also requires special skills and an intimate knowledge of traditional building techniques. The practice is constantly trying to improve its knowledge and every time a historic building is measured and examined in depth there is a great sense of wonder and admiration for the skill of past builders and architects.

We believe passionately that lessons from the past can be used creatively to help build a future which is more practical, economic in its life cycle and far more sympathetic & beautiful. Knowledge of the way in which traditional materials perform and weather is essential in conservation work and very helpful when designing new buildings.