5.3.5 New Cathedral

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

5.3.5 NEW CATHEDRAL

See also:

5.3.4 Ruined cathedral

5.3.6 Repair, maintenance and conservation

5.3.7 Restoration and new works

5.3.8 Operations, management and use

5.3.9 Visitor facilities and access HERITAGE CONSIDERATIONS

The uniqueness of the new cathedral building lies in its architectural form, which juxtaposes tradition and innovation in one place by fusing Post-War Modernism with the traditional liturgical form and materials. As a principle, this unique character should be preserved.

The building has tangible and intangible qualities which must be retained or enhanced, regardless of the nature of change proposed:

• Spence’s design vision which reflects post war architectural thinking should be preserved.

• The new cathedral must remain an active place of worship.

• The message of international reconciliation must be preserved.

Understanding the intent of the original designers and patrons is vital to our ability to preserve and enhance the building in line with good conservation practice. As a single-phase structure, this intent remains clearly visible and intact. To preserve the sense of place embodied within the building, even small additions or minor repairs will need to be carefully considered due to cumulative or unintended impacts. Equally, a substantial addition or change that embodies the original design intent could be acceptable within the new cathedral, providing it improves function or enhances the existing architecture.

A key principle will be to ensure all change is high-quality, sensitive and well-designed to conserve the new cathedral’s significance. VULNERABILITIES AND CONFLICTS

As a single-phase building with a clear design intent, the new cathedral is vulnerable to inappropriate additions or removals that have a substantial impact on its heritage significance. Minor or cumulative changes and large additions may both have an equally negative impact. This does not mean that the new cathedral should remain static, but change will need to be carried out thoughtfully and sensitively. The resources required to create appropriate and high-quality change must be factored into any decision-making process.

As an example, the new cathedral has an issue with access due to the use of single or shallow steps internally. These are a vital part of Spence’s vision, but they are detrimental to inclusive access. Provision of appropriate access without interfering with Spence’s design intent will be difficult and may require technological solutions such retracting steps and concealed scissor lifts.

There are several areas where new facilities are needed, including WCs for visitors, and a goods lift for staff and volunteers. These will need careful placement so they aren’t detrimental to the Cathedral’s significance.

Lighting in the new cathedral should be reconsidered as it is currently poorly designed. The lighting rigs cast shadows which detracts from the simplicity and readability of the space. The current lighting scheme is not effective, and staff are not trained in its use.

Operationally, the new cathedral suffers from inconsistent and inefficient heating, poor acoustics and declining fabric.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

The sense of place of the new cathedral can be defined by its subtlety, with vast plain surfaces punctuated by art, quality of light and surprising areas of colour and delight. This aesthetic is extremely vulnerable to change and relates to both small and large spaces.

Cluttered spaces in the new cathedral (such as St Michael’s Hall, the shop and welcome area at the west end) result in a loss of visual clarity and detract from the openness and simplicity of the nave. Clutter has long been an issue and there is an opportunity to review what is actually needed and whether it is of a quality commensurate with that of the Cathedral as a whole.

The underuse of the west screen as an entrance is detrimental to significance and impacts on the visitor’s experience of key sightlines and spaces.

There is a conflict between the types of events held in the new cathedral, their requirements and the inflexibility of the space. Large concerts or religious services are well served. However, the size and acoustics of the nave aren’t appropriate for smaller services. There can also be an incompatibility between religious services and other events. Two events cannot be held at the same time in the nave and attempts at physical and acoustic sub-division have been unsuccessful. The artistic vision of this space as a place of worship is subtle and fragile, and events can sometimes detract from this.

Whilst the Spence processional route is not the only way to experience the Cathedral, it is a vital part of the original design intent and is currently not presented or interpreted for visitors. There is a need to draw visitors into this route as much as possible, as a key aesthetic as well as a liturgical experience. POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE

There is an opportunity to consider the new cathedral holistically as part of a business-planning exercise to understand the full extent of potential, need and areas with capacity for change. This would be best carried out following adoption of the CMP. A substantial addition or change that embodies the original design intent could be acceptable within the new cathedral providing it improves function or enhances the existing architecture.

Following on from the scoping exercise on the long-term development masterplan (A Different View, August 2019), the following areas are noted as being priorities for change:

• Song school – relocate the song school to the lecture room in the short-term and consider converting the chair store and archive room into a single space for the Song School in the long-term.

• Choir vestry – consider converting the current Choir Vestry into a multi-use space for staff and volunteers.

• Archive room – long-term, consider co-location of the archive in an off-site location such as the Herbert Art Gallery and

Museum, the University of Coventry or the University of

Warwick.

• Café – extend the café into the song school for 2021 and consider long-term solutions. • St Michael’s Hall – reinvent this space as a flexible display and exhibition area that better enhances the architecture of the space as well as the presentation of exhibits.

• Retail and visitor welcome – consider moving the shop and welcome area to the south-west door and commission highquality shop fittings.

• Porch and west screen - Investigate options for replacing the existing railings in front of the west screen. Consider opening the central doors on a more regular basis.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

MANAGEMENT POLICIES

POLICY 13: Activities and use of space within new cathedral should be assessed as part of a wider business plan to understand need, impact and opportunity holistically.

POLICY 14: Recommendations for new uses of spaces across the new cathedral should be tested thoroughly.

POLICY 15: Ensure every proposed fixture, addition and change – however small – is of the highest quality and will either preserve or enhance significance.

POLICY 16: Use high-quality and bespoke solutions to problems to avoid harm to the subtle and fragile sense of place inside the new cathedral. Technologically innovative solutions to solve complex problems should be considered wherever appropriate. PRIORITY ACTIONS

Action

Commission a business plan for new cathedral to assess the need and functionality of spaces and where there is capacity for change.

Ensure all operational staff are aware of the impact small, cumulative changes can make on the building and its significance.

Conduct a furniture and clutter audit, removing clutter wherever possible. Priority level Owner

B Chapter

A Cathedral Administrator

A Cathedral Administrator

Priority levels: A – within 6 months, B – within 1 year, C – within 2 years