Touching the Old Lightly: New Ideas at the OHP

Event details

Wednesday 26 March, 1pm – 2pm

Touching the Old Lightly: New Ideas at the Old House Project

The last in our series of four lunchtime CPD lectures addressing the theme ‘New Ideas for Old Buildings’.

As the Old House Project enters its final phase, join architect Mal Fryer and project manager Jonny Garlick to hear how environmental and other challenges have been tackled with sensitive new design.  Learn how the sustainable rammed earth wall oak walkway link the new garage with the oldest and most ornately-carved doorway in the building, while acting as an acoustic shield for the building. Hidden for many years behind an open fireplace, the discovery of this doorway presented a new set of challenges for the project, which will also be discussed in this talk.

Topics covered:

• New Design in the context of repair - the SPAB approach
• Addressing environmental challenges and project viability through new design
• Traditional materials and sustainability
• Responding to the unexpected
• Negotiating the consent processes

Speaker bios

Jonathan Garlick, Senior Technical and Research Manager The SPAB

Jonathan trained as a building surveyor at the South Bank University in London in the early 1990s. Following a dissertation on ‘The History, Repair and Future for Cob in Devon’ he worked with a conservation builder and designer in Devon before becoming a SPAB Scholar in 1996. After the SPAB Scholarship Jonathan worked for small, medium and large sized commercial surveying practises where he became Chartered. He joined the SPAB Technical Department in 2005 and has since carried out over 30 SPAB Working Parties covering the length and breadth of the country. Jonathan has overseen SPAB research on U-values, Building Performance and British Hydraulic Lime.  He project manages the SPAB's repair projects, including the Old House Project in Kent which is the focus of this talk.

Malcolm Fryer Principal, Malcolm Fryer Architects

Malcolm Fryer is an architect and SPAB Scholar with more than 20 years experience working in historic building conservation in the UK. He established his own practice, Malcolm Fryer Architects in 2013 where he leads the team on a wide range of conservation driven residential, institutional and ecclesiastical projects. Outside of the office, Malcolm remains actively involved with the SPAB and has assisted in the running of their ‘Faith in Maintenance’ programme to encourage church wardens in their custodial role. He sits on the Conservation Advisory Committee of the Churches Conservation Trust and teaches for several academic institutions in the UK and abroad.

About this series

The SPAB launched a series of online CPD sessions in 2020. These short sessions are specially designed to give you a way to easily meet your CPD requirements and improve your understanding of building conservation during your lunch break or in your own time. 
Following on from the success of the 2024 SPAB-STBA conference on ‘New Ideas for Old Buildings’, we will be continuing on this theme with a series of four lunchtime lectures throughout March.  Our traditional and historic buildings are facing unique challenges in the face of climate change, technological advancements, skills shortages, and economic pressures.  These talks will help us explore where tradition meets innovation, and how the past informs the future.  

The talks will be held via Zoom and followed by live Q&A sessions with the speakers. The recordings will also be available to watch for one month after the events.

The CPD sessions are £20 each (£15 concessions*) and can also be booked as a package of four at the discounted price of £65 (£48 concessions*).

* These concessions prices are available for students and people who are unwaged or on low income. There are no eligibility criteria, these discounts are available for anyone who needs them. This is a trust-based system and we do not require proof or even an explanation of the rate you choose

Other talks in this series

Wednesday 5 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm BOOK HERE
Matt Bateman and Greg Meeson, Refinery Studio - Technology and Tradition: using digital tools to support the traditional woodcarving process

Wednesday 12 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm BOOK HERE
Nikolay Shahpazov, Bennetts Associates - Using site excavated subsoil to make earth blocks for building construction

Wednesday 26 March 2025, 1pm – 2pm [add hyperlink]
Jonathan Garlick, The SPAB and Mal Fryer, Malcolm Fryer Architects - New Ideas at the Old House Project

CLICK HERE to book all four lectures as a package for £65 (saving £15) or £48 for concessions (saving £12)

Assessment / Accreditation 

A CPD certificate can be issued upon request. 

Accessibility

• We will enable live transcriptions in Zoom.  To find out more about this feature, please visit the Zoom website: Using call live transcription

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk

Partners

This event is brought to you in association with the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA)

The STBA (Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance) is an alliance of the UK's leading organisations associated with the conservation and improvement of traditional buildings. The STBA aims to develop policy, guidance and training to minimise risks and maximise benefits to traditional buildings and their owners.

About us

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is here for old buildings and the people who care for them. Based on years of experience and research we understand how old buildings work.

We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions. 

Photo credit: Jonathan Garlick, The SPAB