The nature of an architect’s work on historic buildings is a long-term involvement. Many buildings the practice works on have been under our care for many tens of years. We act as architects for many National Trust houses where we have carried out successive Quinquennial inspections and all significant repair and alteration work since the 1960s.
The most extreme example is, perhaps, Ely Cathedral where three successive partners, Donovan Purcell, Peter Miller and Jane Kennedy have acted as Surveyors to the Fabric since the initial appointment in 1960.
The preparation of long-term plans (or master plans as they are also known) for these buildings is an essential part of the work. Generally this involves working with the client and his other professional advisors to integrate necessary building repair work into the wider objectives of the business plan, the marketing and visitor management plans. This work has also become a vital part of preparing bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund where clear and structured long-term plans are a key element to any successful bid.
We have prepared or have assisted in the preparation of many long-term plans including those for the National Gallery; St George’s Hall, Liverpool ; Wimpole Hall, Cambridge ; Knole, Sevenoaks; the Wallace Collection and Canterbury Cathedral.
