44 architecture urbanism environmental issues . in the Cambridge city region
BUILDING OF THE CENTURY?
Since its progenitor was opened in the early 60s, patterns of recreation and lifestyle have blossomed, but the muddled gestation of the new Parkside Pool and its bizarre rationale for redevelopment have been vindicated by popular acclaim. The enjoyment of the new facility is attested in the resounding recognition given to it by readers of the local blad, in the form of the David Urwin 2000 Award. Strange that a complex which is neither fish nor fowl, neither recreation pool, nor true sports facility, should receive such uncritical reception. The Sportspark pool opening shortly at the University of East Anglia, Norwich (designed by Cambridge architects RH Partnership) has a divisible 50m dedicated sports pool. The University of Bath, like UEA, a quarter of the size of the combined Cambridge universities, likewise has a brand new dedicated 50m sports pool. It must be truly amazing to anyone that does not know Cambridge, that heads were not put together with the Regional Sports Council, the National Lottery Fund, the local authorities and higher education centres, to provide shared facilities of excellence of their various sorts that clearly separated the venues of sporting and informal leisure activities, which, after all, are only related by the watery nature of their environment.
Parkside pool will have been opened a year this May. Figures released recently by the City Council, who own and run the pool, show that far more people have used it in the first eight months than the annual target. lt is without doubt a hit with the swimming public; but is it a success in urban and architectural terms? With a Labour majority on Council there had been political will to replace the old pool on Donkey Common, despite some strong opposition, particularly from the Liberal Democrats who had proposed refurbishment of the existing pool"
At the junction of Gonville Place, East Road, Parkside and Mill Road. lts position at the termination of Mill Road forms a gateway to the City centre and provides a significant backdrop to this corner of Parker's Piece, a key green recreational and amenity space f or the City. S&P Architects, London, specialists in the f e d of leisure developments, were retarned by the Councrl to design the facility. Earlrer schemes proposed partnership funding and shai-ng of s te wrth a hotel and private leisure companr'. t lyas evident from these studies that the s ie ccu d not appropriately accommodate the mass ci development that resulted, and p anning co's.it ','.,as not forthcoming. Eventually a reso ut c' ,',as ach eved, following a successful Nationa Lc::e', o C, based on a revised brief dedicated tc s,'. -- ^g and health land-use activities. The "e,', :'e' rc uded an eight lane competitron poo ,', :- s3.cia1or seating, diving area, children splasr''r '-^ :: a-l the ubiquitous flumes, with a fitness s-:a -eetrng rooms and cafe alongs de. T'e :' - r 3co has a variable depth floor. doub '! as a :a'-e' pool. A special set ol small, irke: '-- ::: s ior toddlers give a token presence c' ":--= = srr-e activity. The main pool is designeo ia a:-aa: : :n standards and has been welcomed c', :^: lSr and some Midlands events have taker : a: a : ':i 1.,
A I the s,', -- -3 :rd changing facilities are contained ','. :i - a a:3e recti inear volume under a curvilinear roc'. T- s s I nked to Kelsey Kerridge Sports Cenrre c\ a curved element housing the hea th suite. caie ano tlcket ha I - the brief called for a reorgan sation of Kersey Kerridge to provide a cornmon entrance. A truncated version of the pool roof structure added to the existing sports hall stair tower forms a canopy. signifying the new entrance. Through the doors the reception area extends directly into the cafe and through to a view of the excitement beyond. A stairway leads to the fitness suite and spectator gallery.
The changing system separates arrivals from those returning after a swim. For the most part the arrangements are successful, particularly the larger rooms for families. Lycra applied, the would-be swimmer enters the main volume of the pools area into a confusion of activity. The three connecting childrens' pools are in the first part, tucked under the flumes and diving tower. There is little sense o1 considered sequential spatial movement and separation of flows at this point of entry to the main volume. The metallic clad roof above is supported by large laminated timber beams which generate its characteristic curvilinear form. These span from the masonry wall facing Mortrmer Road, the highest point, down and onto pairs of splayed steel circular columns, which are connected by a pin joint to a concrete pad and base. The paired columns run the length of the fully glazed elevation facing Parker's Piece. lnternally. the rhythym of the splayed columns and glulam beams add dynamism to the spatial impressions, The choice of materials and
llftl. "rll
structure seem appropriate and the restrained colours produce a calm interior that is pleasant to be in. The glazing also give extensive views out of ihe building. The interior fixtures fail to exploit the drama of this interior space. The diving tower, with three heights io challenge diving skills, is functional but rather pedestrian in form. As a more sculptural abstract element it could perhaps have contributed more to the spectacle of diving. The complex and confusing visual background similarly detracts from observation of the flight of the diver. The pairs of flumes, exciting to use and popular with all ages, contribute little to the architecture of the building, and the screened termination of the slides spoils the fun of the spectator.
The scale and form of the new Parkside Pool seem appropriate to its position. The rhythm of the glulam beams and angled steel columns, give animation to the principal elevation. The curvilinear roof resolves what could have been a lumpy massing problem, but as one moves closer, little fine detail is brought into focus. The beam ends and their connection with the steelwork and sun screen louvres are revealed as rather crudely considered junctions and assemblages. The insertion of barrel vault glazing down the roof slope seems unnecessary and reduces the clarity of the roof form.
The elevation facing Mill Road is a rather mundane expression of the cross seciion of the building and weak as a defining'gateway' presence. lronically, the frontage to Mortimer Road is more successful. This is a strong composition of panels of f acing brickwork and glass blocks, unfortunately diminished by the car parking and service yard along its length. The illumination within the pool relies mainly on up-lighting the curved roof. lt works well in a mainly naturally-lit space. After sunset the interior lighting creates an exciting effect from inside and outside and is one of the most pleasing aspects of the new building. A low key landscaping scheme preserves most of the mature trees and introduces a diagonal footpath which conveniently cuts the corner of Mill Road and Gonville Place.
Overall the new Parkside Pool is an improvement on the old facility. However, the indifferent quality of previous modern public buildings around Parkers Piece, and given the considerable injection of Loitery funding, leads one to think perhaps more might be expected of a new civic building when seen against the standards set by the fine range of contemporary buildings of the University of Cambridge and its colleges.
Carl Rowland
SENATE HOUSE HILL
Suddenly (or so it seemed) last summer, Great St Mary's church was ankle-deep in something very curious. Was this make-up, were film company vans lurking around the corner ? No, this was (l quote) 'brightening up', which then trickled on along the length of King's Parade, and for which your Council parted with half-a-million. lt provides an object lesson in urbanism. The area between Trinily and Bene't streets is one of the historic treasures of the world. Here, where a narrow thoroughfare is all that divides the small-scale bustling market town from the University's'commodity, firmness and delight', a motley patchwork of little shops and a sturdy fenland church face cool, beautiful, expansive academe. The joy of this quintessentially English heterogeneity lies not only in its over-all visual harmony, but also in what it says of diversity in excellence: as we follow the street which over centuries has carried kings and martyrs, farmers and scholars, townspeople and visitors, we too are touched by the grace of its homage to everyman.
Above all, this street is alive. 'Heritage' is common enough these days, but ancient places which still form the working heart of a city are very rare. Centuries of Cambridge's history resonate on Senate House Hill. Here Great St Mary's, long ago annexed to be the University church but still patently of the town, guards the milling market at its back while squarely facing the high railings of Senate House Lawn, beyond which the OId Schools fastidiously keep their distance. And history continues to be made here. Not in the slow lava-flow of tourists, but in the urgent rhythms of working life, and the occasional pomp of living tradition. This is what makes Cambridge extraordinary. This intrinsic vitality cannot be bought, only respected, and its ancient precincts treasured for their simple and legible expression of complex life. All over the city, new interests obscure the old. Here the essential Cambridge is on view.
ln the mid '70s, olde worlde setts crept across the floor of Senate House Hill. lncreasingly the city's struggle with traffic appeared here in proliferating signage and controls. Some paving was up for renewal. By the '90s, help was needed to clear this 'noise' and reveal the Hill again, acknowledging its delicate and expressive enclosure, and its links with the rest of the city for which it is both forum and aftery. Instead, a new, urban-designy, layer has been added. A welter of orange-and-white paving slabs now stretches from Market Street to King's Parade, extending the pavement outside Great St Mary's to bisect Senate House Hill's subtle space, and incorporating a meaningless'pathway' from the church door to the railings. Around this 'pathway' rise a plantation of monumental cream-and-pink marbled stone bollards and benches, garlanded in gold lettering. There are now 17 black bollards, one rising bollard plus gear, six stone bollards, four stone benches, a 'heritage' rubbish bin, four lighting (and one 'heritage' CCTV) standards, and ten assorted signs pinned on here and there, on Senate House Hill. Not to mention the extended setts, now in fan formation. Already the paving looks dirty (as the old York stone and asphalt never could) though this does helpfully overlay the colour. All this has its reference in the international heritagisation repertoire of 'interesting'flooring, wide pavements, and big lumpy things with lettering on. lt also has local reference (the Council's representative tells me) in that the style of the gold lettering can be found - and caref ully
memorised - in occasional old street names; a modest stone bollard has been sighted; there were already seats, albeit unpretentious ones, by the church; though you'd have to go as far as King's Lynn to find similar brass studs in the paving.
There is a place for this mallscape: not only at Bluewater, but also in dull town centres desperate for attention, where it might make a characterf ul 'f eature'. To Senate House Hill it is irrelevant. lt obscures the intrinsic life of the place, substituting the fake, the touristic. Has Cambridge really so little confidence in itself and its history that it must thus 'brighten up'?
Margaret Downing
"King's Parade - a scheme to prohibit unneccessary traff ic and improve facilities for pedestrians that includes....removal of unnecessary street f urniture and clutter" UD Quafterly 57
EDITORIAL IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?
The Cambridge Association of Architects is the current embodiment of the Essex, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire Society of Architects, formed in 1927, subsequently absorbed in 1966 into the branch system of the Royal lnstitute of British Architects. Like all professional associations it has its ups and downs. ln the past its traditions have been upheld best by those architects serving in public authorities and agencies: the demise of specialist professional skills and knowledge in the administration affected that- The history ol the Association is one ol chequered enthusiasm, and sadly, following the triumphant period of the regional architecture centre in King's Parade, it currently finds itself in limbo. Perhaps not unsurprisingly in the flux ol current expansionism and rapid social and technological change, architects find it diflicult to identify with their own narrow professional circle when so much else is concerned with broadeningout and with crossovers of interest and information.
This Spring issue of CAg is largely dedicated to promoting awareness of the role that RIBA branches play within the profession and the field of local practice; to call to the flag those architects that respect the values of the profession beyond self-interest; 10 set rn-train the reinvention of the vision the Branch once had of itself and of its place in the wider community - or to rethink its role. The dysfunction of the Association at a f ormal and representational level does not wholly reflect the situation, whose members individually continue to play a part, arranging public tours; serving on the Architectural Surgery; the South Cambridgeshire advisory panel; the City's Listed Building panel; with general education in 'Architects in Schools'; those who represent the profession on other related bodies, Cambridge Urban Forum, Cambridge Forum lor the Construction lndustry, Cambridge Preservation Society; those that contribute to the events of 'Architecture Week'; and indeed all those that contribute to this humble quarterly. All these activities are firm evidence of an ongoing and healthy interaction and commitment.
The issue is whether the Association itself, as a professional body, continues lo be meaningful, and whether and in what form it has a f uture. We publish a range of articles and letters Irom members and others associated with the field of architectural production in the Cambridge area. We do this knowingly in a publication that has a wider readership. lt is axiomatic to the gazette that architecture and its protagonists form part ol a social and cross disciplinary art form, thus finding themselves the subject of public discourse.
(Letter from past Chairman CAA Jonathan Ellis-Miller to all CAA members February 2000)
"Our Branch of the RIBA is the second largest in the Eastern Region in an area of intense construclion activily. I feel sure that in our own ways we are busy, whether coping with a high work load or simp:y trying to survive. When I was asked to be chair of the Association ! had high hopes thet the Association would be a catalyst lor rebuilding a vibrant archilectural culture in our area. To this end I organised a series of lectures by personal friends in the hope that we would benefit {rom seeing their work and ideas and more importantly meet with each other in a convivial atmosphere to discuss issues and share experiences. These events were very poorly attended and I had no option other than to abandon the programme.
Much of the rest of my time was spent in trying to rescue the Architecture Centre in Kings Parade. I struck a deal with Caf6 Nero to open an Architecture Cai6 within the space, sadly this was b'ocked by our landlords Corpus Christi College. One of the saddesl revelations regarding the demise of the Architecture Centre was that as chair of the Cambridge Assoc;ation there were no calls or letters to me regarding lhe loss of such a wonderful facility." [The letter continues by calling for a successor and by drawing members attention to the fact thal if no succession is created the Association will be wound up and its assets returned to headquarters.l
" ....thus leaving you all wilhout proper representation at regional level. This would be very sad for us all and a sad indictment of your apathy as a membership."
WHAT DID THE RIBA EVER DO FOR US?
My experience of speaking io RIBA Members around the Region is somewhat like that scene in "The life of Brian", where members of the Judean People's Liberation Front (or should that be the Liberation Front for the People of Judea?) are arguing about the Romans: "What have the Romans ever done for us?" Frequently I hear architects complaining to me: "What did the RIBA ever do for us?" Equally, it could be argued that the lack of active support for the Cambridge Association of Architects (CAA) suggests that members see no value in it, and that it should shut up shop. With the rapid changes in architecture and. members in private practice having to fight ever harder to stay in business, it is not surprising that involvement in the CAA has dwindled. This would appear to be the situation in almost all ihe Branches in the Region, with notable exceptions such as the South Essex Chapter, where individuals committed to the importance of the Branch have worked tirelessly to create and maintain support for a very extensive programme of activities.
The fundamental question is: What is the CAA for, and what do you want from it? lt is easier to criticise than to do something to bring about change. lf you don't like what the CAA (or the RIBA regionally) is doing, then make it known, and do what you can to help improve things. This is your Branch, and it receives your money to promote your interests. lronically there are considerable financial resources available in the CAA at present, but apparently not the commitment to using these in organising CAA activities. I would
be surprised and saddened if I felt that the CAA had no place in promoting architecture in ihe city and in the wider context of the Eastern Region, at such an f ascinating time f or the development of Cambridge. I would like to feel that the CAA as an organisation could take an active role in the debate generated by the work of the Cambridge Futures Group, alongside the involvement of individual RIBA members. This debate is of critical importance not only for the city, but nationally and even internationally, and it is essential that the RIBA should have a voice in this.
It is ironic also that the CAA should be thinking of disbanding just as CABE and the RDA structu re comes on stream, olfering new opportunities for regional influence. As Jonathan Ellis-Miller pointed out at the special general meeting in January, there are many local statutory bodies on which a CAA representative could play an important role. As a region the RIBA is forging much closer links with local government and profession bodies such Cambridge City Council, the East of England Development Agency, The Government Office for the East of England and The Environment Agency, for example via the Conference on sustainable development in this Region in Norwich (April 2000). How good it would be to be able to capitalise on this event, at which a full session was given over to the development options for Cambridge.
As part of the recent RIBA Regional Services Work Group
draft report, currently being discussed by the RIBA National Councll, the f uture role of the Branches was questioned in context of an entire review of how the BIBA delivers its services in the regions. I would argue that the Branches are the foundation of the RIBA, and that a strong branch network is essential in ensuring that individual members are involved in the RIBA decisionmaking process. Active Branches can have a genuine impact on the policies of the RIBA via the Regional Council. I have to note with regret, however, that in the twelve months since I joined the RIBA, there has been no official representation at all of the CAA. lssues of the greatest imporlance, such as the management of the Eastern Region and the RIBA Regional Services Work Group Report are currently being dealt with at Council, and I would hope that CAA members would want to ensure that their opinion is heard. Peter Slinger, Chairman of the Huntingdon and Peterborough Chapter, which last year also faced possible demise, has written of the RIBA Branches as being kindred to medieval guilds, the role of which was to further and protect Members prof essional interests and to offer mutual support. lt is all too painf ully obvious how dramatically the market place is changing, and it is bewildering to come to terms with the world as it now is. Architecture is under continued threat as a profession, when the old demarcation lines no longer apply. Now more than ever, I would argue, architects need to work together to protec! their professional interests. And then
there is the social aspect of the Branch. Again, Iooking to the successful modBl of the South Essex Chapter, continued effort to encourage participation has led to architects of all ages being drawn into Branch activities, from students to retired members. Personally, I can see real value in the CAA enabling architects to get together for the support and camaraderie this can provide in what is often a lonely job: professional rivalries aside, there is surely more that binds architects together than divides them?
For the longer term, it is hoped that the RIBA will have an active presence in any future arts venue that might be developed in Cambridge. We are also keen to create closer links with the Eastern Arts Board. Again, all of this is made more difficult without the co-ordinated support that the CAA structure makes possible. There is the potential for very constructive collaboration between the CAA and RIBA Eastern Region, with our office based in Great Shelford. I am personally fully committed to doing whatever I can to promote the interests of architects and architecture in the Region, and I will give my best efforts to supporting the CAA in future. The CAA undeniably faces a crisis. lf, however, we are prepared to act collectively there are new opportunities arising that we should seize. The silencing of the voice of RIBA architects in Cambridge at this time would be a great pity and a shame on us all, when the CAA could be the flagship for the RIBA Region as the city itself is for the East of England. The question is whether members wish to give up the CAA as a lost cause, or to reinvigorate a body that has life in it yet. I would urge members not to allow the CAA to become a memory of the twentieth century as we enter the twentyjirst.
Claire Greaves Communications Manager RIBA Eastern Region
HEART OF THE REGION
Cambridge is at the very heart of the Eastern Region and the RIBA has been closely linked with it since the regional structure was established. As one oi the largest concentrations of members and practices within the Region it is very sad to see this branch in such a poor state of health. The Region has had a difficult few years and you may not have agreed with all that has gone on but, unless you are represented, you cannot help to shape and influence the course of events.
The Region is now financially viable again and we are developing an ongoing programme of events. This needs the support of everyone. We are looking to all the branches to develop and enhance these events and would expect Cambridge, with its wealth of architectural gems and talent, to be actively involved. We are commitled to developing closer links with the RDA, the East of England Development Agency and the Government Office for the East of England. All these bodies will have a significant influence on our lives. We are working with them to help develop a strategy for sustainable developmeni within the Region and our recent Conference in Norwich is an example of this closer working relationship. lt would be very sad if the Cambridge Association was allowed to wither away due to lack of interest.
Keith Everitt Regional Chairman
A SAD OCCASION
The Cambridge branch met on 6 January to discuss its future. A notice had been circulated in early December advising that the present committee had resigned and calling for nominations for the AGM scheduled for that evening. For both the Chairman and myself this was a sad occasion as we had embarked upon our period of stewardship full of enthusiasm and with a will to make the association more relevant to as broad a cross section of the profession as possible. Events were to prove that our zeal was misguided as numbers signing up to a diverse lecture series dindled and apathy struck at the very heart and soul of the organisation. Even the threat of closure of the RIEA bookshop on Kings Parade could not entice members to "man the barricades" and prevent the region being dealt a body blow, and so the Architecture Centre disappeared into the mists of time.
Thus it was that nine representatives gathered at Great Shelford, with apologies being received from a handful more, to elect a new committee. There were no nominations, however, and as a result no election was held. As things stand at the moment, Cambridge, which has one of the highest densities of practising architects in the country, a rich architectural heritage, and a startingly bright future, is in danger of losing the foremost vehicle which the professlon has to promote the interest of its members, the interest of the local community, and the quality of the local built environment.
I find it hard to believe that that the profession is prepared to allow the Association to slip away, a;though judging by Kings Parade anything is possible. However, this will surely happen if no-one is prepared to stand up and be counted and put back into the profession and community some small part of what we take out. This Region and this Association have an enormous amount of which to be proud and a significant role to play in shaping the future. I urge you all to think deeply about the implications of not having a local Association and about the oppodunities which may be missed. lf you wish the Association to play a role in the future of Cambridge and the East of England apathy is not an option.
Philip Cowen former secretary CAA
SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
Cambridge Association of Architecls
6.00 for 6.30 - 8.00pm Tuesday 27 June 2000 at the Martin Centre, 6 Chaucer Road, Cambridge
Called to address the future and new directions for the Association and the forming of an entirely new committee (minimum 9 members) elected by a ballot of all corporate members the commiltee will have powers of co-option and will consider nominations for and appoint executive officers
The proposal for amalgamating the Cambridge Association with Huntingdon and Peterborough will be discussed at ihe meet;ng
Nominations for committee and posts of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer should be sent to Diane Holmes EFI RIBA The Studio, High Geen, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB2 sEG by 20 June (details: 01223 566285) Nominations shall be accompanied by evidence of acceptance
Eastern Regian Atchitecture Centrc 1991-1998
"Government at both national and local levels is rightly expecting local communities to have a far greater say in the new developments that affect their areas."
"the quality of design in house building is depressingly unimaginative."
"architects need to develop new skills if they are to respond to this new agenda."
CAN LOCAL ARCHITECTS RISE TO THE CHALLENGE?
There has never been a more important time for Cambridge to have a lively and engaged architectural community. You don't have to count tower cranes to know that the city is undergoing a major building boom, and that this boom is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Although those who can look back to the late 1980s will say that we have been here before, I would say that there are actually some new and challenging features to the current spate of development activity. The University, for instance, is building at an unprecedented rate, fuelled by successful bids into the Government's Joint lnfrastructure Fund and its continuing success with high profile research contracts. Fortunately, the Richard MacCormac Master Plan for West Cambridge provides a high quality framework within which many of these new buildings can be brought forward in a carefullyconsidered way.
But I believe that it is the scale and nature of the boom in the residential sector that is setting the greatest challenge to local architects, and, at the risk of sounding pompous (why change the habii of a lifetime?). I am not convinced that you are currently rising to this challenge in two critical areas. Firstly, the quality of design in house building is depressingly unimaginative. ln particular, the quality of housing proposals coming from in-house architects employed by house-builders is generally appalling. Even when planning auihorities insist that housebuilders bring in outside architects for sensitive sites it is still a real struggle to achieve quality (l think that the jury is still out on Wilcon Homes in the Tenison Road scheme, but at least it is trying to address some of the important issues).
The problem is that designing housing to the sort of densitles that the Urban Taskforce and Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 recommends is actually quite difficult. Bringing down parking ratios to 1:1 is not in itself justification for just cramming in Iots more standard house units, as most housebuilders seem to think. You have got to look at what sort of lifestyle the new higher density housing is trying to foster. And in inner Cambridge it is quite okay to reduce car parking so long as you design realistically for the bicycle instead. And that means thinking about it a bit. Someone living in a two-bedroom flat at second floor level will not keep a bike if they have to carry it upstairs and keep it in the hall (not that halls have space for bikes nowadays anyway). Nor will they keep a bike if they are expected to keep it in an unsupervised communal bike shed. What they need is a secure individual lock-up at ground level. And a two bedroom flat will need space for three or four bikes. Obvious really, but why is it almost impossible to make housebuilders do it?
Also, consider the increasingly complex design challenge of front doors. Not only is it a place where people go in and out, it is also a place where the gas goes in via its ugly box, and where the water and other services go in with their increasingly obtrusive pieces of kit. lt is also where the dustbin is, and it is difficult enough to find a realistic and workable design for one bin, let alone the two bins that we need if we're ever going to get serious about recycling. All these problems are relatively easy to solve at 20 dwellings to the hectare. But at 70 or even 100 dwellings to the hectare they require real skill, olherwise the front door area looks a mess, and the housing will quickly turn into a slum. Just look at most high density housing that has gone up
recently. And I haven't even mentioned the delivery box that we will soon need for all the goodies that we will wani to order on the internet but are too busy to stay in for.
Planning Minister Nick Raynsford has recently said that he will back local planning authorities who refuse poorly-designed housing schemes. Let us hope so, because some housebuilders may get a nasty shock soon, and will find that they will only be able to build in Cambridge if they use architects who are prepared to get stuck in to the design challenge in a creative way. The question is, are there local architects who can rise to this challenge?
The second challenge is in urban design and community consultation. Government at both national and local levels is rightly expecting local communities to have a far greater say in the new developments that affect their areas. ln particular, we are increasingly responding to the demands of local communities to get involved at a much earlier stage in the development of the design for the scheme, particularly where the site lies at the heart of a residential community. Soon we may even make it mandatory that this happens as part of the planning process. So architects need to develop new skills in Planning for Real and Community Planning if they are to respond to this new agenda. lt is depressing that there is not one practice in the Cambridge area (or as far as I can see in East Anglia as a whole) who can offer these skills as part of their core activities. So yel again local practices miss out to London architects, and it is John Thompson and Partners who is carrying out the community planning work on the Homerton Street site, and it is tm2 (formerly Tibbalds Monro) who are working for Railtrack at the Station and for Simoco at Chesterton. I am not saying that these practices are doing it badly - quite the reverse. But wouldn't it be nice if we could add a few local practices to the list when developers ask us who can carry out this work for them?
lf this sounds like a pretty brutal wake-up call for local architects I make no apology. These are exciting times and Cambridge needs you to get engaged, individually, professionally and as an influential Iobbying group through the CAA. It is crucial that you engage with the local community on the agenda set by the Urban Taskforce and work with us on applying it to the special circumstances of the wondedul but fragile city that we inhabit.
PeterStudderl Director of Planning / Cambridge City Council
EVER DECREASING CIRCLES
I remember my father complaining about having to go out on a cold wet night to some committee or other; tempted to stay at home he would go off muttering something about "duty". This is not to cast a family member in heroic light, but merely to suggest that there was a generation where these things were done because they had to be done. And yes the meetings could sometimes be a chore, but they knew they would lead to more enjoyable and worlhwhile things: to social interaction, learning form one's peers and supporting one another in a local or professlonal community. Our lives are ordered in a different way now. lt is not that we are any busier (often given as a reason for lack of attendance at events) but that our priorities have changed. We expect much more from our time, both at and away from work, and "making our own entertainment" through some arcane professional grouping does not cut much ice anymore.....or does it? Do our fellow professionals in Cambridge have the same problems with poor attendance, lack of involvement etc, I tried to find out.......
ENGINEERS: they have two professional bodies; the lnstitute of Structural Engineers and the lnstiute of Civil Engineers. The structural engineeers have an East Anglian branch and meet fairly infrequently, the civils have a mid Anglia region and meet weekly in various places. There is no Cambridge branch of either group. Meetings are CPD orientated and well attended, but specialisms in roads, docks, bridges and the like tend to dominate. Numbers are boosted by the large number still employed by local authorities, where there seems to be more time for this activity. There is an influx of younger members looking to"get on" but the core consists of a declining number of older members.
SURVEYORS: a broad discipline with Building and Land Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors and general practitioners. The RICS divides into these constituent parts. The local branch of each arranges events, almost wholly CPD based. There is a major event 3 or 4 times a year, when all the local divisions meet for a series of lectures. None of the branches meet socially on a regular basis although the QS's have an annual branch dinner and the junior building surueyors have a charity dinner. A cross-discipline local group (led and mainly attended by QS's) is the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry. They organise lectures and lrips to new buildings and have an annual debate at the Cambridge Union. As architects we should not assume, as we usually do, that the surveyors always do better at these things. The RICS regional lecture days are often poorly attended and generally there is growing dissatisfaction among surveyors with their lnstitute for not sufficiently extolling the benefits of chartered status, abandoning the needs of small practices and being out-of-touch with their members....sounds familiar?
DOCTORS; the Cambridge branch of the BMA is not very active as doctors here tend to gravitate around Addenbrookes and the Cambridge Medical Society. Lectures are monthly and very well attended. There is an annual dinner and other events. Although there is a small fee for attending lectures the medical profession never finds it hard to get sponsorship from drug companies, which helps to oil the wheels.
DENTISTS: the dentists have a very active branch of the BDA, meet monthly and have a big
annual event. Sponsorship again figures heavily with corporate stands at all the lecture evenings, which keeps costs down. But the main reason for the good atendance (l have on good authority) is the large wine budget, and the branch secretary's policy of "naming and shaming" in their newsletter those who do not turn up to meetings!
LAWYERS: the Cambridgeshire and District Law Society meets monthly as a committee to consider disciplinary matters and other serious issues as part of its wider role in reporting matters to their national office. The membership attend CPD events, on a regular basis. There is an annual joint meeting with the medical fraternity, when the lawyers instruct doctors and nurses on matters of professional ethics. In return the doctors try to make the solicitors feel queezy with details of invasive surgery. There is a quarterly newsletter and a social event, usually a dinner, three or four times a year. Although attracting new committee members is sometimes difficult, the role of president is clearly quite prestigious, so finding senior members to take on this mantle is not a problem.
Jerry Lander
DEPARTMENTAL VIEW
I was surprised to learn of the proposal to wind up our local Chapter. Observing it from a distance over the last decade, I have been impressed by its many activities- including the Gallery, Cambridge Architecture, the Young Architects Group, CPD and so on. Some of these thrived for a short period, several are no longer in existence; others carry on. Both individually and taken together, they are evidence of a degree of energy and innovation that few other groups of architects in the UK can equal. At the University Department of Architecture, we have been very grateful for the CAA's continued support through its funding of the annual prize to our top Second Year student. ln recent years, our only regret has been a certain lack of interest in what the Association has been giving its t75 for! Perhaps that's evidence of the problem we all increasingly share - lack of time. Our own continuing contribution to'the local architectural community has been mainly through the regional CPD Office which we have supported for over a decade and which has been run by Tim Brading and Pat Blackman under a committee consisting of members of the Department and local achitects such as Jerry Lander. Over the years, we have been acutely aware of changes of pace and demand. But we have kept going and tried to do what the Association has always managed to doadjust to new conditions, learn from the past and enjoy some experimentation.
Professor Peter Carolin Scroope Terrace
PROFESSIONAL GROUPING
I have seen a proposal that the Cambridge branch of the RIBA be wound up and I am writing to express concern and opposition to this. lt seems to me amaz jng that Cambridge, with its concentration of architects could be deprived of a local professional grouping. There are many topics and issues that seem to me interesting and useful to be discussed with colleagues, some of these may be subjects of meetings of the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry, but could also benefit from a slightly different focus: I am thinking of visits and building studies, real debates about the development of Cambridge, nitty gritty about building in a sustainable way. But what is really important is to discover what architects in and around Cambridge are interested in. can't help wondering why there should be an apparent vacuum of interested and involved people and this might be a good starting point to re-energise the Association. For reenergise we must try, I feel. At the very least the Association must be maintained in a dormant form, but hopefully we can do something more positive than that.
Benedicte Foo
COMMUNICATION
When the Regional offices were set up nearly 30 years ago, it was hoped that these would overcome the justified criticism that members outside get very little for their money lrom the lnstitute- They were also intended as instruments of communications between the policy makers at the Portland Place and the membership at large. But communication is a two way process and it is up to the local members to make their views known. How could it happen that the Architecture Centre was closed without the membership even getting to know about the decision until after the event! That this should have happened just when the role of local architecture centres is being more widely recognised as a force for improving the quality of the built environment is doubly sad. And talking ol the built environment, shouln't the lnstitute be establrshing a position in which the profession's voice is heard in planning committees. ln order for this to happen, we need to establish a rapport with the RTPI and work oul a modus operandi with the planning profession. I am sure I am not the only one saddened to hear Lord Rogers say that the re-action to his Task Force report on urban regeneration has been "disappointingly negative".
Viren
Sahai past chairman CAA
AMALGAMATION
The Eastern Region RIBA Council are currently considering a proposal to amalgamate the Cambridge Association of Architects with the Huntingdon and Peterborough branch, to match governmental boundaries. The proposal goes before Council at its July meeting. Cambridge's failure to be represented on Council leaves the Association voiceless, with important decisions affecting its future left entirely in the hands of others - hardly a satisfactory state of affairs. This proposition will be an item of debate at the forthcoming Special General Meeting 27 June (see CAA iRIBA DIARY)
BEING INVOLVED
I understand that there is a proposal to close down the Association as a result of apathy from the membership. I am appalled by this suggestion. As with many local architects I have served an extensive period as a member of the Committee, as Secretary and as Vice-Chairman, as well as representing the Association on Regional Council. lt is clear from being involved in the past how important it is that the views of grass roots members be carried forward to region and central RIBA. This process is by no means glamorous but essential for the well being of our members. I would Iiken the activity to the commitment and responsibility that we as architects show in the production of our buildings. Architecture may be seen as glamorous and artistic at one level but equally we know the essential responsibilities to our clients and the duty of care to the public at large. The hard graft to make a good building is known to us all as is the excitement and enjoyment of the completion of a project whether large or small. The parallel process of being involved in the development of the profession has all the ingredients described above, particularly the hard graft.
The outgoing administration of the CAA led by Jonathan Ellis-Miller attempted an exciting and invigorating schedule of lectures which aimed to stimulate the standard of design and intellectual thought in our membership. Sadly this d,d not meet with a good response but it is no reason to disband the Association. Hopefully a new administration will be appointed which will develop an agenda to suit the needs of a continuing and thriving architectural community.
IMAGES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSION
David Thurlow
The professions in Britain have undergone a prolonged public questionning of their social roles and status since the watershed of the Second World War, maturing into a sceptical, if not downright political antipathy on both shades Left and Right, towards the notion of professions as independent and exclusive bodies of specialist skills and knowledge. The nationalisation of welfare services and social programmes bred institutions of salaried professionals, which in those related to the built environment, in turn formed a generation of architects whose traditional inbred professional instincts were tempered by the concerns for the social environment within which architecture was practised, and particularly with that of a new collective vision of a fair and equitable society; the offspring of architectural modernism. ln this Region the Hertfordshire Schools programme exemplified this adoption of a dual consciousness of those with special ability towards a wider responsibility and adaptation to the technology and economic climate of the time, still under the sway of nationally driven programmes made possible by the consensus politics of the war effort.
The deliberate dismantling of the public office, and the deskilling of its in-house professional agencies, which is a feature of the hegemony of the pro-Market ideology that superceded this brave new socialist world, with all its other benign and malign effects, bereft the polity of its internal specialist knowledge and advice. Not only this, bodies of collective research and knowledge (the LCC/GLC Historic Buildings section for example) were dismantled and programmes of genuine and collective social interest were no longer possible. A dramatic consequence of these events, transforming both private and public practice, and from which the present administration is trying to affect a damage limitation, was the elevation of individualism, relativism and the trivialisation of architectural production to a competitive commodification of the object, within which a superficial form of stylistics rose triumphant. The age of signature architects was born, at the expense of significant architectural issues.
There are of course as many strands to this recent history as there are punts on the Cam, but this feature - of the serious concerns of the profession - is a paramount question. And,of course, if architecture is both an expression of its cultural and prescient contemporaneity, and a measure of its conditioning social context, the forces driving architectural production in a market dominated milieu, where symbolic meanings are transposed to the conflation of corporate power and market identity, make nonsense of any authentic cultural pretensions that architecture may possess. The hangover from the neo-classicisV romanticist eclectism of the C19 and the enduring legacy of the latter in its privileging through th.e autonomy of art and of the individual creative psyche, within the architectural profession, has done much to dispossess it of its canonical and normative groundings, in theory and in practice. ln a socieiy which in general has conservative tastes and a separate stylistic agenda centered in a retroactive imaging of the environment, professionalist aesthetics now have little meaning and precious little value in the public sphere.
What this serves to indicate is the volatility, complexity and multidimensioned climate in which the architectural profession operates and strives to effect meaning and appropriate symbolic form. A rapidly developing scenario in which the digitalisation of representation is having profound, revolutionary
consequences. Under polical regimes where the 'management syndrome' and direct political intervention has usurped professional competence (the Greenwich 'Dome' project its quintessential icon) the ability of the profession to retain a valid creative prescence is both aided by the new technology in keeping ahead of the game in the commercialised world, and by the same token it is exposed to fragmentation and incorporation through the enhanced powers of procedures and corporatism advanced by the very same technology. These massive new influences are universal, and in their particular effect on the architectural profession they promise as much opportunity as they threaten to dissolve the very basis of the concept.
Put in other terms, a predominant and defining aspect of the professional credo is the sense of a community of specialist capability ready, beyond individual commissioned work, to act in concert in the selfless service of the wider generality of social interests and development. Behind this lies a mentality which is alienated by the competitive individualism, the 'courting of bursars', the star promotions, the economic privileging of projects and all those concerns that have occupied the profession in its urge to self-preservation and self-advancement under arguably the most difficult conditions it, and the construction industry as a whole, has experienced since the War; suffering under state policy, which uses the industry as an economic regulator and starVes it of effective developmental leadership.
It is a critical moment for all involved in the production of the built environment, and, for its consequences for the life-world it serves. The reforming intentions of New Labour have led to the dissolution of the Royal Fine Arts Commission, replacing it with the new Commlssion for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) which has yet to find its full role and modus operandi. Most reforr-n of political institution results in the reshuffling of existing institutions and personnel, rather than the radical rethinking of function and objectives. The juggling of responsibilities and resources for architecture within the Arts Council and across other government agencies forms part of this. The devolution of powers to ihe regions, however, affects by its very novelty some intimation of new ways of doing things, which, ostensibly, will have an extremely important bearing on the governance of new development and urban regeneration in the provinces. These structures are now in place and, subject to limited resources (notably in CABE's case) they are evolving frameworks and action plans, and, hopefully, strategies.
The architectural profession has been wrongfooted largely and slow to mobilise its influence in this volatile and highly significant period of political reform, mainly through its own suffocating individualism at both the level of its practice and of its institutions. By virtue of its scope and substance, no other profession is so highly placed to offer an ideological leadership in the culture of the built environment, with architecture and urban design as its objects. Because of its breadth of study, no other profession is better situated to encourage coordination of joint efforl of all the other design professions that collectively are responsible for the environment in terms of the quality of the end product, as opposed to the processes of its procurement. ln this setting the fairly recent foundation of the Urban Design Alliance, within which tfe prime design institutions have come together in non-
hiearchical association to willO more influence on government, is a model of new thinking. lt is currently exploring ways of forming regional counterparts in the eye of the regional state agencies. The regional development agencies, the regional cultural consortiums and regional arts boards, now with architectural representation pending, the regionalisation of the former English Partnerships and of English Heritage (all open points of contact with architectural production, urban regeneration, heritage development) all adopting fresh orientations and for which there needs to be a matching architectural presence drawn from the world of practice to inject specialist experience.
Although new policy directions set intrain by these reformulations of provincial political organisation, coupled with the impending government White Paper, will on current evidence not be suff iciently comprehensive, nor specific, at least initially, to exert the profound degree of change that many see necessary (Urban Task Force: Towards an urban renaissance) this new diflusion of concerns and powers will affect lower local levels of organisation in a more comprehensive and unitary manner, and a @nsequence will be a new, and hopefully more fully informed and proactive framework for national, regional and local policy and strategic planning. A prospect is opened of balancing the interests of economic and socio-political agendas against environmental/ecological concerns, and, particularly, since these interests all form consecrated agendas, enabling the marginalised and conceptually dysfunctional cultural agenda to be developed and elevated to a comparable standing.
Just as the phenomenon of more formal interprofessional collaboration depends on the commitment of its individual professionals, so the pressure and championing for a higher cultural profile in the political scheme of things, in matters architectural and in the design of the urban environment, is reliant on the contribution and participation in civic matters of committed and publiclyminded architects. There are now increasingly manifest outlets at national, regional and local levels which broker opportunities for disinterested participation by architects in the management and mntrol of development in the broader social context. A role that few others are qualified to make for campaigning the case for an aesthetic dimension of a lasting nature to the built environment, the future heritage, and for the cultural enrichment of our urban and rural settlements. There are many that already do this through a whole gamut of activities, including archiiectural surgeries and advisory bodies and independent consultations. But they do this under a disparate and relatively understructured aegis without theoretical grounding and coverage; or with terms of reference and coordination that will be up to scratch in the new policy age that is just dawning. There is an urgeni need to debate these issues wlthin the profession; to adopt positions that can constructively address a new working and legislative environment and the new opportunitles it brings with it, and to form an inielligence network that can match up to the dynamic, innovative milieu within which Cambridge is now enveloped. A milieu in which 'local' academics and local architects (sub spec. creatoris provincialis) have a complementary role to play, in defining and making significant space for local practioners and contributing towards the environment of a new community. To be there the profession has to organise iiself.
THE HOMERTON STREET TRIANGLE
Herman Ewticks
Lack of enthusiasm by planning authorities and local residents for proposals by Dencora Homes, with Turnstone Estates, for an eleven storey development, on the land between Hills Road Sixth Form College and the railway bridge, led to the appointment of London architects and community planners John Thompson and Partners to draw up proposals centred on community consultation. A public planning action day in March provided little encouragement for the planned inclusion of one of the two new fire stations, but general reaction was surprisingly tolerant of the notion of increase density, although views on the appropriateness of scale fell considerably short of the developers intentions.
The sites for the redevelopment in the triangle, are largely in the ownership of Peterhouse. This a key site, directly opposite the major redevelopment of the Cattle Market. With the pending Station yard scheme by Railtrack, oihers on the former Ridgeon site, the proposals for the triangle of land between Station Road and Hills Road, and the redevelopment of the Brooklands Avenue Government Offices site - a whole sector of the City is about to undergo an unprecedented metamorphosis. The Homerton Street sites are within the 'southern transport corridor', as explained by Planning Director Peter Studdert and the County Highways Officer at the planning action day, which envisages new cycle/pedestrian routes crossing under the railway bridge to Iink with the Station forecourl.
The new consultants demonstrated their take-up of local opinion at a report back session on 22 March with layout schematics based on the ideas put forward at the community workshop. This showed a progression from high density in the north of the site, with medium to lower densities towards the south, retaining existing terrace housing in the centre of the site. Participants were concerned that the more detailed application should seize the opportunity for a high quality, innovative design that reflected the urban character of Cambridge. Government advice (PPG3 para 63) published in March calls upon planning authorities to reject poor design. Draft Regional Planning Guidelines for East Anglia state that, with the growth envisaged in the Cambridge Region, 'the opportunity should be taken to achieve development of the highest quality which provides models of sustainable development'. Dencora's past record, and comment by their representative that he prefers pastiche, is hardly encouraging. lt was noted that there was no planning brief to guide the developers, nor an urban design strategy, commitment to local significance, alternative density models, nor a citywide policy for increasing density levels. This suggests need for further public consultation, after JT and Partners have studied the project, and before a new planning application is submitted; if the public participation exercise is to be regarded as authentic, rather than an exploitation of public involvement.
The poor showing of housing design in the City is symptomatic of institutional failure. One of the suggestions of the workshop was for part of the site to be used for innovatory housing and possibly an architectural competition involving local architects. How else are new ideas to be introduced and new talent fostered? But this notion fell on deaf ears. The special nature of this site, new government attitudes to urban housing, residential demand, and the changing profile of residential need llnked with new working/living lifestyles suggest that the time for a change in local planning culture is well overdue.
Colen Lumley
ASHAMED
I am sure I am not alone when I express how ashamed I am to have been one of the apathetic many amongst the Cambridge Association of Architects. lt was with great discomfort that I read the letter of appeal by the outgoing chair, Jonathan EllisMiller, and the plight of this association. Do we really want this to happen? We all have the same excuses "loo busy" too many commitments, "not enough time".
This is a time of crisis, when there is a furious frenzy to keep abreast with the booming construction industry, with new and advancing technology, and there are just not enough hours in a day.
The Cambridge Architecture gazette has been going strongly now for some years, and it has an audience well beyond the immediate CAA membership. Is it not through this medium that we might continue to keep the spirit of the Cambridge Association of Architects alive? Times may not always be so frantically busy, and in more quiet moments, we may well begin to meet more formally as a group, but until that time, we should at least continue to hear the collective voice. lf we read to know that we are not alone, then let us use the Gazette as our medium for direct communication, not just amongst ourselves as a prof ession, but also way beyond these boundaries, to the greater audience at large.
caihy Fisher
LIFE GOES ON
The apparent lack of interest in the formal organisation of the CAA may be a crisis for the RIBA rather than for architects, or for this town. We are all very busy and we meet each other, network and interact according to our overlapping interests, perceptions and commitments. Many of us have 'done time'with the CAA, some briefly, others over a number of years. Committees can be just talking shops, pushing paper around, and perhaps just rubber stamping real activity which goes on elsewhere; or of course with the right mix of people they can be a really creative focus for action. Over the years we have had both moribund and dynamic groupings. Much of the day-to-day work of the Association now goes on regardless of whether we have a formal executive- This surely shows that our sense ol community and commitment is healthy. The new century marks a period of change and renewal as it did 100 years ago and new organisations are being discussed to try and address urban and environmental issues more effectively and from a broader perspective. However, there remains a perception that professronal associations have relatively narrow motives and primarily exist to protect their own and their members' interests. The RIBA have done quite a bit to address this nationally but the role of regional and local associations of architects needs fundamental review. We know that most of the problems and issues we face require concerted action. Real strength and conviction comes form exchanging views and sharing interest with others. Architects can then truly harness therir creative skill.
The immediate need is to reestablrsh some form of grouping to represent the CAA as a branch of the Eastern Region, otherwise we will loose the financial resources which have accumulated and the annual grant to assist us in our activities. The association can be what we want it to be. lt has always depended upon voluntary eff ort to push it in one direction or another. Rather than trying to do too much not very well it could focus on a very limited range of issues. This way people who are interested could work together to achieve specific objectives. These might, for example, includel) the support and development of the CA gazelle, 2l the active representation on certain key groupings in the urban/environmental fields and perhaps, 3) one special project a year where the Association can make a real contribution locally.
David Raven
ARCHITECT IN RESIDENCE
For 17 years Hills Road Sixth Form College has had an "Architect in Residence" running an extra-curricLrlar course within the Art and Design Department. I was lucky to pafticipate in the course in 1989 and now, ten years on, have been working with almost forty students for two terms. After the pressure, discipline and pleasure of running an architectural practice, working with clients and builders, planners and inspectors, it is so different working with students, only some of whom are considering architecture as a career.
The initial discussions are about the nature of architecture, the function of architects and how the design of a building or space takes place. The interaction is great. I have always thought the British public did not appreciate, understand or criticise architecture or our building heritage enough. But the understanding of architecture has to start early, and the core subject 'The Built Environment', has been fundamental to young people taking an active interest in where and how we live. This year we started with a few small brainstorming design projects. The main project has been a development of last year's very successful course when landscape architect Jamie Buchanan worked with the students to design a pergola and conservatory at the College. The students have built the pergola and a substantial amount of money has been raised for the conservatory. This year the students, working in groups of two or three, Iooked at the design of the internal space below 1 metre or above 1 metre. Then the groups joined together to investigate how their low-level designs impacted on the high level solutions and vice versa. The final preseniations are yet to come but are promising to be original, controversial and wacky.
Architecture involves working closely with a wide spectrum of people. The scheme invites local architects to use their own initiative to develop a programme with the College. lf the students do decide to go into this profession they will have had a small taste of the teamwork, skills, enthusiasm and patience needed, and of what fun it can be at times. The work of the Architects in Residence scheme was exhibited at the former Architecture Centre, King's Parade in 1996. Ongoing projects include a College conservatory, subject of a Barclays New Futures award 199912000 and personal presentations to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh earlier this year.
The participating architects have been: 1983 Colen Lumley, 1984 Neil Fluffles, 1985 George Wright, 1986 Stephen Brown, 1987 John Preston, 1988 Anil Barnes, 1989 Katie Thornburrow, 1990 Dyford Griffiths, 1991 lan Bailey, 1992 Jamie Buchanan, 1993 Mike Emerson, 1994 Brian Scally, 1995 David Emond, 1996 Tristan Rees-Robefts, 1997 Philip Jordan, 1998 Jamie Buchanan and 1999 Katie Thornburrow.
Katie Thornburrow
MANAGING HISTORIC BUILDINGS a new approach
A recent seminar held at Kings College, Cambridge supported by the City Council and Taylor Vinters, launched a new approach to managing historic buildings through a new Listed Buildings Forum, involving the Colleges, the University, the City Council and English Heritage. Many of Cambridge's College and Unlversity buildings are of outstanding interest. As working buildings, they have to adapt to new needs, and the cumulative effects of this can be very significant. Without a thorough understanding of what is special about the building, and policies to safeguard it, there is a risk that. the building's quality will be progressively eroded. The Conservation Plan approach offers a model, or framework, for Colleges and other building owners, for shared understanding of the significance of their buildings, and a means to develop policies for managing changes. Conservation Plans came into common use last year, when the Heritage Lottery Fund required grant applications to include them. The principles are relevant to all works affecting buildings or sites of heritage significance.
The seminar was chaired by Lord Hankey (Chairman of the All-Party Group on Architecture and Planning, and an architect specialising in the field) who talked about the need to appreciate the context of what we do, in both social attitude and awareness of cultural heritage. Kate Clark of English Heritage highlighted problems which occur through lack of awareness and introduced the Conservation Plan approach. Assessing significance and vulnerability as the basis for management policies leads to specific proposals (see the Heritage Lottery Fund*s guidance and the recent *Conservation Plans ln Action*: fl5 from English Heritage Publications). Sal Brinton of Selwyn College gave a Bursar*s view citing problems of timing and funding for works; exemplified by the Health and Safety requirement to replace all College gas fires within a timescale incompatible with obtaining listed building consent. She welcomed the idea of the new Listed Buildings Forum which will bring in English Heritage to advise on problems and
Architect Brian Scaily guides his gtoup
best practice in works to listed buildings. This seminar was part of a package of measures agreed between the Colleges and City Council following an unauthorised new heating ,nstallation in a grade I listed building. The rssues arsing from this incident and subsequent remedial ,','orks formed a case study. A new heating system ras now been successf ully integrated into the :uilding, as part of a major refurbishment by ='eeland Rees Roberts, who are also preparing a Services Strategy for the College. A Conservation f, an will follow. City Conservation Off icer Jon 3.lrgess showed how the 'Conservation plan a:croach is applied by the Council in management : :-s for Cambridge spaces and in the city centre :: - sert,,at]on area appraisal.
T-e seminar was targeted principally at the - :-isr Co lege Bursars, Clerks of Works and :- :rng Committees, and City Council members =^: officers. The underlying agenda was .getting '-: r'ight brief.. A lively discussion showed that I - eges were daunted by possible cost ^-. cat ons of the Conservation Plan approach and -: -cerned by the lack of f unding f rom English -:'tage and/or the Lottery for this purpose. The r':',ost noted that without national funding, there '.as no scope for access to European money. Lord -arkey argued for the creative professions to set :-: standards needed for a framework for quality, --;gesting a possible generic range of studies and :-: rmportance of keeping records.
The greatest value of the seminar may have ::en in helping to develop shared understanding of :-: ssues, and of the need to work together. The ::st will be in the ongoing work of the Forum - clv ng the Colleges, University, English Heritage :-J the City Council. lts meetings will provide the ::cortunity to get -state of the art. advice f rom ::ec alists, to share best practice, to find ways of -=solving current problems, and to discuss issues of --tual concern. Some possible topics include Fire 3afety. Security, Archaeology and Recording, -:egration of Services, Health and Safety, and I :abled Access.
John Preston
CITY AWARDS
--: ivinners of two prestigious City Council Awards ,.:re announced at the annual dinner of the l--bridge Forum for the Construction lndustry on :- ',1arch. The David Urwin Awards (see CAg 43) -: -Ced a special award for the Building of the -=^:ury to mark the millennium. The readers of the - --cr dge Evening News, who were.invited to : -:lse the winner, voted for the newly-opened : ='<side Pool by a clear margin ahead of old ':.:lrites like the University Library and ground:'.aKing modern designs such as the Schlumberger ::search Centre in West Cambridge.
The other Awards concerned the City Council's l:nsiderate Contractor Scheme. lnitiated two years :;c. this aims to promote greater awareness of :- lding operations and raise standards of care. l3ntractors who join this scheme commit :^emselves to a Code of Good Practice which :cvers building construction operations such as ^o se. site cleanliness & tidiness, health & safety =tc. A Panel representing the City Council, the Oambridge Evening News and the Chamber of Commerce considered projects monitored under the
Scheme during 1999. Certificates of Excellence were awarded to the Coulson Building Group, Haymills (Contractors) Ltd, R. G. Carler Thetford Ltd and Sindall Ltd. ln addition, Sindall, in recognition of their work on the Refurbishment and Extension of the Lion Yard Centre, were presented with the Scheme's Special Award trophy which is awarded to a contractor who has made an outstanding effort to overcome difficulties associated with a particular site.
Announcing the Awards, Peter Studdert, Director of Planning, said "initiatives such as the David Urwin Awards and the Considerate Contractor Scheme are very important. They demonstrate the city's commitment to protecting and improving the quality of the city by encouraging high-quality design, and ensuring the minimum of disturbance whilst works are in progress. They also show what can be achieved when the city works in partnership with other people and groups".
John Preston
LETTERS
Wrong foot
ln addition to keeping the E, the UK lndependence Party is campaigning to allow imperial weights and measures to remain in use. ls this a case of barring the stable door after the horse has bolted? When the Construction lndustry was metricated, with our customary rectitude we British bowed to the diktat of' the ISO that orders of magnitude be organised in steps of 103, hence metres and mm, but no cm, oblivious to the fact that the rest of Europe uses the much more convenient cm (look at any European catalogue for sanitaryware, kitchen cabinets, building materials and the like). For all my measured survey drawings, if I don't use imperial I use cm, rather the more cumbersome hundreds of mm.
Much of my work is with Listed Buildings which were built with imperial units. For example, the original floor plans of a Listed international style house call out the room sizes as 24x14 or 12x12wilh 9" or 131/z" walls and metal windows on a 2'0%" or 4'03l." module; in a recent lecture on the post-War School building programme Dr Nick Bullock talked of Stillman's 8'3" module. These imperial measurements are important historically because they tell us about proportions and relationships that would not be so obvious translated into metric units. ls there not a case for allowing the continued use of imperial units in connection with Listed Buildings?
Street signs in Cambridge direct the tourist in yards and fractions of a mile: is this quirky British humour or a manifestation of some collective cultural subconscious? 30 and 70 are British speed restrictions in mph, and a frost can be expected at 32"F,22 yards is the length of a cricket pitch. And thank-you Rugby Joinery for continuing to manufacture in both imperial and metric! lsn't it time to acknowledge we live in a parallel universe, that imperial units still have a place alongside metric? My car's computer happily switches from one system to the other. Estate agents still use imperial and my American clients are grateful for a little familiarity in an otherwise confusing metric world. Let's use feet and inches when it suits the task in hand and, if we're really using metric, why don't we use cm like everyone else?
Michael Walton
Cambridge Architecture gazette
I should like to thank CAg for its coverage ol the Cambridge Futures project CCAg43 but express my sadness that nowhere did you mention that the inspiration, management, direction and much of the execution of this project came from the University Department ol Architecture. We made one of the largest cash contributions to the project and put in a phenomenal amount of time both at the Martin Centre and CUMIS (the University Moving Image Studio which the Department has re-invented and now manages lor the University). I am particlarly pleased that the Senior Research Assistant who contributed so much towards the success of the project was a local architect, Rob Homewood.
Professor Peter Carolin
I feel, as no doubt do many others, that Cambridge ought to be able to support a journal or gazette such as Cambridge Architecture. We are in one of the fastest growing areas in the country, likely to experience environmental and social changes as profound as any in the recent past; we have a school of architecture that is one of the highest-regarded nationally; in addition to the commercial clientele that a city in such a position might expect, we have in the University and its colleges a continuing source of patronage which is the envy of others. Yet, just as Cambridge as a city remains strangely provincial in its outlook (one only has to compare the form and content of the Cambridge Evening News to that of the Oxford Mail), so Cambridge Architecture has not really reflected the importance of what is happening here.
How do you broaden the horizons and aim higher? Our local modern art gallery, Kettles Yard, provides one answer; it's based on a specilic and personal collection but it has visjting shows that are part of a national circuit, and they are regularly reviewed nationally. Cambridge Architecture might have a local editorial board but its contributors ought to be national or international figures, as indeed are many of the architects who build in the city. "Outsiders" shouldn't be too nervous ol upsetting local sensitivities by pungent criticism of unworthy developments (of which there are plenty); and real successes should be celebrated here as well as in the (AJ, BD or RIBAJ). The contributors should not be just architects, either. lt's easy lo moan about the marginalisation of architects; more creative is to engage user groups, clients, and other disciplines in the debate.
Finally, a younger generation needs to be engaged in the journal. Scroope. the student magazine produced by the Diploma students at the University's Department of Architecture, has an international subscription list; none of the editors are over 25. Sometimes things have to die in order to be re-born phoenix-like. lt may be that your gazette and the CAA itself has reached that stage. All the previous generation should aspire to be is the midwife to such a te-birth. Nicholas Ray
OBITUARY
Peter Arthur joined Cambridgeshire County Council in 1949 as Deputy County Architect and when The lsle of Ely joined Cambridgeshire he became County Architect. ln 1973174 Peter was involved in further reorganisation when Huntingdon and Peterborough were amalgamated with Cambridge and the lsle of Ely to form the new Cambridgeshire County Council.
During the 25 Years before lhe 1974 amalgamation Peter was involved in a huge school rebuilding programme, following the Second World War, including many new Village Colleges such as Swavesey and Cottenham. Other buildings worthy of note in the Cambridge area were the, then, Police Headquarters on Parker's Piece, the addition of the top floor of the Shire Hall which markedly, enhanced the appearance of the original building and just before the 1974 reorganisatlon took place the new Police Headquarters were built at Hinchinbrooke Park and the Octagon was added to the Shire Hall complex.
fhe 1974 reorganlsation again produced a massive building programme for Cambridgeshire which, at the time, had the largest population growth in England. He headed a department of about 200, consisting of architects, surveyors, engineers, clerks of works, bullding maintenance officers and administrative backup. His responsibility was not confined to the design of new buildings, and extensions but included the maintenance of all buildings and plant owned by the County Council. At that time the New Town in Peterborough was in full flow and most work then centred on it. An even larger school building programme was involved and prestigious buildings such as the Magistrates Courts and Police Station were part of the expansion in the New Town. Before Peter retired in 1981 the Department had been responsible during his lasi few years in producing and implementing an Energy Conservation Plan which saved the rate payers hundreds of thousands of pounds for which the County received national acclaim. By all accounts that programme is today still being pursued.
ln addition to his involvement in Local Government over the years he still found time to support the Cambridge Association of Architects, being its Chairman f rom 1972 > 1974. Peler was always scrupulously fair and his integrity was absolute. For this he gained the respect and loyalty of all who worked with him during his 32 years in Cambridge and no higher accolade can be bestowed.
Mike Jeffels
Established
STOP PRESS
At the time of printing the Department of Architecture has still not found a replacement for Professor Carolin. Negotiations have been going on for several monihs with the selected candidate, but Wilfried Wang, from the 9H Gallery and Frankfurt Architecture Museum, apparently found the potential of Cambridge wanting in repect of its financial clout, by comparison with the continent - so the word goes.
eouLso^ry BUILDING GROUP
Masonry and Joinery Contractors for the Parkside Swimming Pool Cambridge
Coulson Restoration Ltd, William James House, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 OWX Tel: 01223 423800
BUILDERS JOINERY SERVICES FESTOAETION
I June. CPD - Mechanical and Electrical Services in Historic Buildings New Hall, Cambridge details: P Blackman/T Brading lel:01223 461458 Fax :01223 331701
16 June. EREG Group meeting Ecotech Centre, Swaffham Windmill details: M Sylvester01223 460479
9-1 I June. ARCHITECTURE WEEK 2OOO
22 June CPD - Asbestos in Buildings New Hall, Cambridge details: P Blackman/T Brading tel:01 223 461 458 Fax :01223 331701
27 June. Special General meeting of the Cambridge Associalion of Architects 6.00pm for 6.30-8.00pm Martin Centre, Chaucer Road
1 July. Cambridge Day of Architecturenew building tour
7-9 July Cities for the New MilleniumRIBA Conference with University of Cambridge Department of Architecture The Lowry Centre, Salford Quays, Manchester details: 01 722 33981 1
14 July EREG meeting and visit Low Energy Business School, Braintree details: M Sylvester01223 460479
1 &19 July CPD - Vector works (Minicad) 2 day course for beginners details: P Blackman/T Brading tel:01223 461458
20 July CPD - Church Inspections (with visits) New Hall, Cambridge details: P Blackman/T Brading
21 July EREG Energy Seminar Cranf ield University details: M Sylvester 01223 460479
