Journal of Architectural Conservation
Volume 12, Issue 2, July 2007
Points of Balance
Patterns of Practice in the Conservation of Modern Architecture
John Allen
Paper Summary
This paper reflects on the experience of the conservation of modern architecture from a practitioner’s viewpoint, and seeks both to identify recurrent themes of discourse and illustrate patterns in practice over the last 21 years. A review of case studies reveals the emergence of five project typologies in the quest for a ‘point of balance’ – an outcome that reconciles the differing priorities of contending stakeholders within a sustainable consensus. The paper concludes with an appeal to enlarge the definition of conservation beyond the traditional protocols of listing, and to see through the perceived dichotomy between preservation and change.
John Allan, MA (Edin), BA, Dip Arch, MA (Sheff), Architect
John Allan is director of Avanti Architects. He was the first chairman of Docomomo-UK 1989–91. He is a former member of English Heritage Post-War Listing Advisory Committee and currently serving on the London Advisory Committee. John Allan has led Avanti’s series of Modern Movement conservation projects. He has also served as a conservation consultant on several others. He authored the Listed Building Management Guidelines for the Barbican and for Golden Lane Estate.
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