CA19

Number 19 February 1992

ARCHITECTURE

A review of current Architectural and Environmental Issues and events in the Cambridge area produced by theCambridge Association of Architects. The views in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors and not of the Association. Newsletter co-edited by David Raven and Colen Lumley. ’Cambridge Architecture Trumpington Mews, Trumpington, Cambridge. CB2 2LS

Community Lessons ‘A Case Study’ Richard Brimblecombe Parkside Community College isa 600 place secondary school in the centre of Cambridge.

The main site is bounded by Parkside and Melbourne Place. The Mud Lane site isa couple of minutes walk along Parkside to the east. The main building has been thehome offour schools during this century. When in1974 Cambridge shire went comprehensivea decision to create Parkside Community College was made at the eleventh hour and asa result no money was set aside to improve thebuildings.

Againsta background of projected growth in secondary pupil numbers inCambridge City through the 1990s theCounty Council in their 1991 report acknowledged theshortcomings of of the accommodation at Parkside. The M porary buildings of Mud Lane site were recommended forreplacement within the next five years. The provision of hard open space around theschool is below current minimum standards and doubles as car parking. There are no playing fields and the school has to rely on nearby sports facilities and open spaces. The county identified two possible courses of action: either to improve Parkside's accommodation on theexisting site; or to relocate on an alternative site.

Various schemes of improvement on thepresent site were considered ranging from replacement of the buildings on Mud Lane with minor improvements on themain site to complete replacement of buildings on both. Studies indicated that major improvements totheschools present accommodation could be achieved whilst retaining substantial elements of the existing buildings on the main site. Areas of open space remained seriously substandard. Surprisingly budget costs for this option were higher than for a green field site (assuming the sale of the Parkside site is offset against new build costs).

For relocation of the school 12 acres would be required compared with the 2.76 acres at present.

After looking at possible sites the County favoured one in its ownership at River Farm on

Trumpington Road. This is currently used for agricultural purposes. It was considered for the Cambridge Regional College but was ruled out on planning grounds. It is part of the Cambridge Green Belt and its change toeducational use would undoubtedly pose serious difficulties.

Notwithstanding this the local Education Authority favoured this option due to reservations about the adequacy of an improved Parkside and concern over disruption to the schools activities during the building programme. The larger site was also felt to provide greater longer term flexibility in the management ofeducational facilities throughout the City.

The Governors of Parkside had long been active in lobbying forfunds forthe improvement of the present buildings. The Education Authority's conclusions were resisted bya highly motivated and articulate body ofopinion from both Governors teachers and parents strongly in favour of the College remaining in its present location.

The school is well located to serve the central residential areas of the City and the ease and quality of the journeys to and from theschool are valued. High educational standards have been achieved anda sense of ‘community’ has been established which therelocation of the school would undermine.

The Governors and parents advocatea more integrated appraisal of facilities available to the community at large. The school shares its facilities with the rest of the local population and vice versa.

The time scale and uncertainties associated with a new build school in green belt land may suggest that ‘a bird in the hand’ in the form ofa renovated Parkside is preferable.

As a result of local community pressure the Education Committee hasnow agreed to pursue

theoption of improvements on Parkside's two existing sites. Some will view this asa triumph of local people over unsympathetic policy decisions. Others might argue that recommendations on coordinated city wide educational facilities have been thwarted by local vested interests. Only asproposals emerge fortheimprovements toParkside will it be possible to assess the prudence of decisions taken.

The work ofHampshire County Council Architects Department over the past decade has demonstrated that inventive, well researched and well executed architectural solutions can provide the sort of stimulating environment we all want forourchildren as well as giving eloquent expression to the aspirations of the local community. What opportunities could Parkside offer? The removal of unsympathetic and inadequate temporary and less temporary, buildings from both sites. Replacements to complement and enhance thecharacter and quality of the original Edwardian buildings and make up fortheir deficiencies. Proposals to investigatea permanent connection between the two sites by the acquisition of additional property. The necessary range and flexibility of accommodation forboth school and community usewill require the site to be intensively built over.

In the Hampshire Schools programme consideration of both organisational planning and passive energy performance has lead for example toperimeter cellular accommodation; around central multipurpose spaces. These are often enclosed, with extensive glazing to blur the distinctions between inside and outside and between school and community functions.

Are there perhaps lessons for Parkside where buildings are surrounded by playground producing such cramped conditions?

Crestwood, Eastleigh, Hampshire from Schools of Thought HCC. 1991

European Lessons.

David Raven.

Our gradual integration with the European mainland and its possible effect on this City demandsa more thorough coverage in a future issue.

There isa lot for Cambridge tolearn.

Withina European context it isa city in crisis. There isa crisis of general building quality, of public transport, traffic and pollution, of vandalism and litter, ofa fragmented and largely ineffective local government machine, in the complexity of landownership and speculation, in the erosion of urban quality and the quality of life generally etc. etc.

In contrast justa few miles across the channel the atmosphere is very different.

Things generally work. The public transport system incities and towns is planned and coordinated. Trains and buses run on times and are comfortable, clean and civilized. Design is thought of asa core activity which permeates all levels of production. Modern architecture is recognised and supported as an integral and inevitable part of contemporary culture. At the same time traditional values are preserved and developed. There isa general spirit of cooperation in all things anda recognition of collective social and cultural values.

One can only look forward toa growing European influence in Cambridge. What forms might it take? Perhaps the left right local politics will disappear and the false obsession with local democracy inall things will recede. Perhaps then people could work together ina more professional way and tackle problems head-on drawing more on international European experience. Planners might begin to seek imaginative standards which go beyond just reacting to mundane proposals within legislative requirements. We could begin to move towards an analysis of the essential characteristics of the city and address its weakness inform and structure.

Modern architecture could be supported and accepted within an historic context as a cultural necessity. Conservation could be thought of as creative. All new projects of any significance could be the subject of competitions rather than competitive fee bids. All new buildings could be designed by architects. Design could be recognised asa core activity which requiresa considered professional input rather than just candy floss. Creative standards could be established in many things. Building and land prices could be monitored by considered legislation etc. etc.

All this could happen and much more. It happens in mainland Europe. Why not here?

From La Reconstrttction cle Brtixelle.s 977 - 1982 AAH Ediiion.i

TOMORROW WILL BE MY DANCING DAY Theglobal economy depends on concerted action to stave offfurther recession engendered by thefailed economies of theeastern bloc. Adjusting to life under ERM imposes its own limitations on the government's ability to introduce ameliorative measures inthe UK. The presentfiatness of the economy promises therefore to be with us for some time. These are strikingly new causes which make thecurrent recession quite differentfrom those which preceded it. Little comfortfor those practices bumping along on dwindling reserves and living off crumbs. Anomalies exist in this region (and the y are anomalies to the underlying tendencies) with the Cambridge colleges building away they were on another planet. There is the underlying propensityfor growth still, in this region and institutions awash withfunds (sothe y say) wanting tocome back into the property market,’ today there is not much tosing about, but tomorrow........ In the face of such widespread Uncertainty, it is tempting (incompany with the President RIBA) to shrug one’s shoulders and disclaim responsibility, “what can we do about it as a profession?”

I

In this issue of the Newsletter we include some local responses to the RIBA ’s Worksearch and counselling programmes. Admirable initiatives in themselves, but as we move into 1992 it isa moment toreview whether we should, asa p ro ession, change intoa dt erent gear on this topic and move into higher profile confrontations with the issues of inadequate remuneration and workload thatface architects and architectural practice. To do this we have tooverturn certain received opinions and political dogmas (lobbying for release of local authority capital assets for development is one possibility). In the advent ofa general election there couldn't bea morefavourable moment. Certainly i/ is an opportunity for the new ’freelance members oftheprofession to organise themselves as an employment action group, to take advantage of underused practice facilities, for retraining in CAD for example. The Architecture Centre could bea focusfor this.

Colen Lumley

Worksearch John Forrest& Jeremy Lander report on RIBA Worksearch initiative held last August atKing ‘s College.

John Onslow introduced past President Max Hutchinson who opened with advice on how to cope with the worst recession for the building industry since the 1930s. We must optimistically assume that it has reached the bottom but acknowledge that recovery will be slow, maybe two tothree years, necessitating changes of direction for many ofuswhich must be chosen in response to our individual strengths and skills.

Diversify? Some architects have gone into furniture design and manufacture of theatre design. Investigate ‘Còmmonhold’. Selfbuilders may need your services. Possibly relocate to, say, Inverness or Southampton.

American construction companies arelooking for architects with knowledge of specialist areas like ‘The London Building Acts’. Consider teaching?

Peter Davies spent some time forecasting areas

of workload upturn for the next twelve months, highlighting food superstores for new development, i.e. Tesco plan 28 and Sainsbury's 17. This was followed by handouts on: 1. Market Forecasts, 2. Marketinga Practice, 3. Opportunities for Small Practices and Ideas for Individuals, 4. Job Applications.

These were all useful catalysts and concentrated the mind tolook forward with optimism.

The most constructive time was when the seminar split into workshop groups of eight. In our group we were asked in turn to describe our present situation and then to suggesta course of action for the future. Other members ofthe group offered supportive suggestions or alternatives.

Local voices urged the RIBA toactnationally to address the question of suicidal fee bidding and to promote theskills of the profession amongst thefull range of client bodies. Efforts such as these continue to keep theprofession together locally through these difficult times.

With thanks to the RIBA andall who gave of their time on this occasion.

John Forrest

It got off toa bad start when star guest Max Hutchinson suggested that architects should search their innermost selves to find what other skills they could exploit in these hard times.

Fresh from hissojourn ona desert island with Sue Lawley, the ideas came easily to Max: Writea rock concert, play electric guitar, why not give beinga concert pianista try? The architects scratched their heads and looked worried. Not because they couldn't think of anything - Max was just spraying out ideas at sucha rate and volume that no-ones brain was capable of operating under theonslaught. Why not offer yourself asa school teacher to help out with the national Curriculum core subject, ‘Craft Design and Technology’? “Why note relocate” continued Max. There followeda stimulating session with an out of focus projector showing yetmore opportunities for the wily and adaptable.

Housing work up 2%! Retail work upI '/,9o!

The rest of the afternoon was spent in counselling groups chaired by local practitioners. With group therapy of this kind people tend to feed off each other's depression. The overall picture was pretty bleak and only confirmed the Architects’ Journal's view that there is no such @ - as an unemployed architect, onlya $ .t1y established sole practitioner with no clients.

Jeremy Lander

Work Sharing Katie Thornburrow The CAA December discussion evening on “Sharing Work andFacilities” was led by David Thurlow. The discussion started on how architects have traditionally worked inthis country and how the recession has affected all in the building industry, forcing review and change inwork patterns.

What options are available for sharing? Rent can be paid toa fellow architect for work space.

Arrangements can be made forsharing

.: .-

ANNUAL

DINNER

'-'

QUEENS COLLEGE

John Forrest reports on RIBA Presidents speech ""

Ina play by Albert Camus, Caligula the mad emperor keeps twelve poets captive ina cell. He holdsa competition for each to writea poem ona given subject in less thana minute, then read it aloud until stopped by Caligula blowing hiswhistle.

The winner is to be the one who manages to read his poem infull before the whistle is blow forthesecond time. The competitors did not know that Caligula had decided on the winner anyway. Ry theend of thecompetition Caligula had further decided that the rules of the competition were flawed. The poets were returned to their cells.

An early example of ‘compulsory competitive tendering’. CCT is an attack on professionalism and the art of architecture. *; i

Public Patronage A patron is one who recognises an obligation to the public world distinct from theclient, who

secretarial skills, libraries and certain commissions or competitions. Perhapsa central system of CV's offirms or individuals could be established for easy reference when specialised skills are required for short periods.

What problems could be faced and solved by sharing work orfacilities? The liability for each project could be dealt with by adjusting the professional indemnity policy, as necessary, per project which would encourage members to maintain recommended feescales. When there isa high level of work thena network of sharing can benefita firm, so that help can be sought fora short term rather than taking on more staff.

How can we achievea change in work pattern?

Firstlya change of attitude of mind, and perhaps ego. Flexibility will be required by architects, clients and the public. It may take time to get used tomore than one name being associated with the design ofa building.

Different systems of working fordifferent size projects may be necessary. Each recession has been worse than the previous ones. When we emerge from this gloom, theway we work may be very different, and maybea lot better.

Liquidation David Thurlow Shakespeare described the seven ages of man, these we must all expect to experience. In our professional lives there is another range of experiences, one of these, the process of liquidation is one we all hope toavoid. In these days of deep recession the process of business decline can be virtually impossible to control, particularly aftera period of frenetic activity.

Appropriate investment in staff, equipment, and premises are suddenly huge burdens. The decline, cancellation and postponement of projects are first met with disbelief, then dismay, even anger as years of careful nurturing are swept away inthename ofpolitical and economic expediency. only looks at his private interest asa ‘user’.

Clients who recognise the value of patronage offer good will to society which inturn brings them and their architects, repute. Currently government and treasury procure contracts through CCT and Design and Build suggesting that notions of goodwill are unnecessary. Public institutions like the RFAC, Civic Trust and Amenity Societies must continue to build upa critical environment in which developers begin to appreciate their obligations towards the public domain.

After the battle of Waterloo, government and public institutions knew which architects to go to. They went toSoane, Wilkins, Smith and Nash who were employed because there was a public sector that could articulate public architectural values. Today it seems that we do not havea government that knows how to articulate equivalent architectural ideas. We are being presented witha public frame of mind of mitigation and not aspiration. Hence the channel tunnel rail link has been rerouted to mitigate political and environmental issues at colossal expense; and an unprotesting and unsung masterpiece, Calatrava's East London river crossing bridge, has been rejected on marginal cost grounds. This bridge could have beena modern equivalent to Tower Bridge.

Images of London, thescenes, buildings, bridges and the river are part of that

Our particular experience of this process started out with our usual brand of enthusiastic optimism, but soon we were forced to shed staff, move offices, take salary cuts. Still we believed we would be there when themarket recovered, then came theburglars - all the computers were gone, we losta months productivity and more importanta months cash flow, and that was that.

It was rather like death ofa good friend aftera long illness, sorrow mixed with relief. Some things have togo on,jobs on site have tobe maintained - official status, professional responsibility and common sense are not easy bedfellows at sucha time. The goods and chattels of ones everyday life are no longer yours, nor your responsibility,a strange feeling.

But professional indemnity is still yours, your past remains yours, asa company orasa partnership, continuity is all. In our case, the new partnership was born, asa statement of faith in the future - yes of course, asa vehicle to finish some unfinished business.

In times such as this good friends are essential, we have been fortunate,a corner in an office, understanding from thebank - but no favours its not in their power. No harsh words form creditors, often quite the reverse, our coffee supplier summed it up well, ‘after 16 years of good business, why shouldI complain, good luck and see you back soon’.

Good andrealistic communications are, at this of all times, most important. Primarily amongst members ofthepractice, with banks, leasing companies and landlord, frank discussions with theadvice from accountants and other financial advisors, and finally with statutory bodies such as VAT and Inland Revenue - they can often be very helpful and understanding. We have had enormous pleasure witha wonderful group of clients, fellow consultants, and buildings, producing some notable buildings over thelast 21 years. We intend to continue that process.

immeasurable reputation of greatness that attracts millions of people throughout the year.

It is the accountancy role of middle management that cannot see or measure these values.

Consumer's View Few ofuswhen we arebuying things go for the cheapest because we know that we want quality. If we buy clothes or cars or food or wine we know that we get what we pay for. The idea of forcing the local authority to purchase the cheapest denies them choice. CCT is rather like the competition forTV franchises where government is trying rather desperately to push theideology of market forces into an area that they don't really understand.

A Professional View Paraphrasing SirDenys Lasun “IbelieveI give my clients not just that they asked for, but what they never dreamed that they wanted”. This distinguishes between what theconsumer expects and the cultural opportunities unknown at the beginning for the process. We cannot reconcile the idea of cheapness with patronage.

I sense that the government hasa pretty closed mind on CCT. Perhaps all Members of Parliament as part of the public sector should be selected ona competitive fee basis. If current ideology prevails then the voter must surely pick the cheapest.

would have put it) every corner turned in the colleges and the city, he is there, vivid in our memories, with jovial greeting, sketch book in hand.

C.L.

Letters ...

Excellent Example

A cefebration of thé life of Ken Buffery iS R!anned

for

Sunday 12 April at the Perse Boys School. Details tel: 0223 3S7896

Ken

Buffery an appreciation The Cambridge scene is sadly depleted by the sudden death of Ken Buffery on 26 January.

Since his retirement from practice some five years ago with the Robert Matthew, Johnson Marshall and Partners/Cambridge, Ken has insinuated himself into the affections of the broader architectural community, using his delightfully sensitive drawing skills as an outlet for his unquenchable enthusiasm forliving and talking architecture. Together with hisarchitect wife Rosalind, the house inClarkson Road gave hospitality toa variety of causes in the arts. His participation as Executive Committee member intheevents of the Cambridge Association of Architects and his work on theCity's Listed Buildings Panel (he had just been elected Chairman) endeared him to those he had not worked (orplayed cricket) with previously.A person with whom onewasengaged in continuing snatches of dialogue, in brief encounters across the city.A lovely man with whom everyone has their own personal recollections and humorous moments. Even though he has now drawn hislast breath (as he

Having just read through the October edition of Cambridge Architecture,I would just like to say how impressedI am by the continuing high standard of the newsletter.I am hoping to set out some guidelines for the publication of newsletters and magazines which would be of help to the RIBA regions and branches. Your newsletter will serve as an excellent example to them all.

Richard Wilcock, Editor, RIBA Journal

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Development Potential I have been reading CA 16 with interest asa retired Regional Architect to MAFF in Cambridge.

There is much undeveloped or underused land in the area bordered by Trumpington Road, Long Road, Brooklands Avenue and Hills Road.I feel that it needs to be looked atin some depth now, since some preliminary moves look iminent.

Hills Road bridge will not be capable of handling traffic generated by the proposed ‘road improvements' at the Cherry Hinton Road junction.A new bridge will be inevitable, opening up the Brookland site and the disused rail link etc. This might suit the University, asI believe they have land on that side of the line, where educational uses could be consolidated freeing Homerton site completely.

The land by Hobsons Brook asa conservation strip could provide an alternative link to the City Centre for theHomerton site and Hills Road residential areas.I am not sure how Homerton should be developed. Sports?

Housing? Perhaps anything buta supermarket, petrol station or DIY centre?

Phil Harrison

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CAA

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