Output details

The Wealden Hall House c. 1450, Kent

Listed grade II*, the partial remains of a significant medieval Hall house were embedded within an extensively altered brick enclosed farmhouse, requiring a bespoke, research-based design process to inform the redevelopment of the house. Historic archival research and forensic inspection determined areas of significant fabric more extensive than previously understood, and through a philosophically grounded design proposition, selective demolition revealed an entire original timber facade within a newly configured built addition.

The creative management of significant structural discoveries on site were supported by a coherent philosophical position which guided the process of change management to the satisfaction of local and national conservation authorities. Following a site visit for members of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings during construction, the author was asked to present the research methodology at the SPAB Scholars Programme in 2010, and as an exemplary case study professional CPD to the Kent Conservation Officers Group, Knowle House, Kent in 2011.

The peer reviewed SPAB Journal article is an illustration of the built project and the philosophical implications for understanding the original Manifesto of William Morris in relation to the early writing of the Smithsons, the historic pattern of use and adaptation informed the handling of material and detail in the built work.

The research formed one of Five Professional Dossiers which were submitted to the new RIBA Conservation Register. The author was appointed to the first team of assessors for the register and qualified as a 'Specialist Conservation Architect'. The author now acts as an Education Adviser to the 'Edinburgh Group'/COTAC, who are the leading body for Conservation based training in the UK, and sits on the RIBA Conservation Committee as its education adviser.