An Introduction to Architectural Conservation

Chapter 6Assessing a Building’s Significance

As explained in Chapter 3, architects and surveyors have a professional duty to study and analyse the significance of any older buildings they are proposing to change, no matter if they have a designation or not. Only after ‘reading’ and studying a building, and understanding if it has any features which are of aesthetic, historic, cultural or spiritual value for the past, present and future generations, can we balance the need for change against the significance of the existing fabric. It is also our professional duty and good practice to convey our analysis of the significance of the fabric to planners and conservation officers and councils, so they can evaluate our designs with a full understanding ...