24 10 310 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/843df6d463a695d580e52aff8e779f16.pdf 084eacb15546a83326f3644c1a5a3a76 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Group Description An account of the resource Argued that it was only through the public sector that the majority of people could have access to the land and resources needed for housing, education and other essential services. The task was therefore to reform the practice of architecture in local councils to provide an accessible and accountable design service. The Public Design Group proposed reforms to the practice of architecture in local councils to provide a design service accessible and accountable to local people and service users. The following 6 Interim Proposals were developed which were later initiated and implemented in Haringey Council 1979-1985 by NAM members. <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Local area control over resources </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Design teams to be area based </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Area design teams to be multi-disciplinary </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Project architects to report directly to committee</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Abolish posts between Team Leader and Chief Architect </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Joint working groups with Direct Labour Organisations</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Press Cuttings Subject The topic of the resource Various articles and comments incl NAM PDS Group about RIBA proposals Description An account of the resource BobGilesisamemberoftheRIBA Salaried Architects’ Group and isstilemployed inthe GLC architects’ department. The AF went to see him, them in the public sector, but some still have very positive ideas about their future role. This week, the AJ gives the views of three architects working at the drawing board in the public sector. Next week we shall be looking at the ideas of one chief architect. serve the community, almost like corner shops. Certainly there would be no ‘career Structure’ or ‘promotion prospects’ bur motivation to go into public service should coincides with a period of economic diffi- culty... .’* The political basis of the cuts in public expenditure thus disappears, public sector architects are separated from their context and SCALA can address itself to finding a technical solution to a technical problem. Why should leaders of the profession shy away from a reality so apparent to everybody else? Is it because they are unwilling or unable to accept that the model of architec- tural practice which has been pursued for over half a century is not (and probably never has been) relevant to the practice of architecture as a public service? The promulgation of this model is reinforced by the control of architectural education, employment and regulation (ARCUK) by the Icaders of the profession, It defines the architect as an independent entrepreneur Following the collapse of the GLC archi- not be about self-enhancement at the expense tects’department,BobGilesandmanyofhis oftalent.Itshould,hefeels,haveanelement operatinginanidealisedprivateeconomy,in architect colleagues are looking for some of what George Smiley called ‘a sense of competition with other architects and in con- satisfactory alternative employment. As one of the Salaried Architects’ Group, he has campaigned for years for more authority to John Murray and Bob Maltz are unattached be delegated to job architects. However, architects, trade unionists and members of the despite his optimism when Fred Pooley’s New Architecture Movement and both are practice groups were first discussed at the GLC, (AJ 29.11.78 p1022) he cannot raise anyenthusiasmnowtheyhavebeensetup. The initial idea has been badly mutilated by Savage cuts in both the number of architects and their workload and, in any case, all work hierarchical pyramids that stil exist in most public architects’ offices and sees no reason to have an architect at the top of them. He argues that once an architect leaves the draw- ing board he loses touch with his expertise and is no better than any other administra- tor. It is the very existence of these large hierarchies, completely divorced from clearly locates them as actors or victims on a building users, that has brought about the political stage. downfall of the public office. So tightly They are not alone in this predicament. It is definedaretherolesofthedifferenttiersof onethattheysharewiththeonemillion service’—and that means working with, as flict with other professions and trades in the well as for, the community. building industry. Imposed on the public sector, this model has resulted in a view of councillors, tenants and fellow public sector workers (who suffer under similar models) as obstacles in the path of their architectural creations, rather than collaborators in the effective provision of desired services. employed tn the public sector. They write: Discussionsonthefutureofarchitectureasa Thekeytotherealisationofanewrolefor public service are su.facing in the archi- public architecture is an alternative model tectural press. Not since the AJ Guest Editor based on: series in 1952 has there been any widespread on education buildings has been excluded informed consideration of this matter. The and obstructive hierarchies and moves from the groups for the time being, so harbinger of the long overdue debate is less architects working on ILEA buildings welcome. Public expenditure cuts, parti- remain in the same old empire, pyramid and cularly in housing and education, mean that all. towards a structure based on co-operative | principles; e forging strong technical and’ political there will be less work for architects, At the Giles continues to be bitterly critical of the same time, as local councils come under in the production of buildings, such as increasing pressure to reduce staff, depart- housing officers, valuers and building ments of architecture rank a close second to direct labour organisations as prime targets for the ‘back to private profit’ movement. Architects in general, but especially those associations. who work in the public sector, find them- selves thrust forcibly into a spotlight which The clear aim should be to create integrated public development teams, including al those who are involved in the production and subsequent management of building, which would be accountable to councillors and tenants ona local basis. authority that those professionals who householders on the country’s council and This model is dependent on collective action actually carry out the work rarely, ifever, get housing association waiting lists, and with of architects and fellow workers, acting a chance to meet their real clients. Every- other public sector workers and the people through strong inter-disciplinary unions like thing has to be relayed through each layer of for whom their services are intended. Thus NALGO and TASS, for both its implemen- the pyramid and several committees. No the position of the public sector architect is wonder public architecture is unpopular—it Not separate from that of the tenant, housing is imposed upon its users, whether they like officer or building worker and cannot tation and successful operation. Substantial moves in this direction have already begun in two boroughs. Professional institutions that seek to line up architectural staff in al sectors behind the owners of private architectural firms, merely it or not. Since no system is foolproof, Giles sees no point in employing endless numbers of ‘back stops’ to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Architects are professionals and should be allowed to take responsibility for their own work, without layers of higher-graded pro- fessionals to supervise them. He thinks that more public money is wasted in employing people to ensure that mistakes are not made than could ever really be justified. The only hope for public architects, argues Giles, is if the impenetrable hierarchies are dismantled and small local offices set up to reasonably be considered in isolation. Yet this is precisely what the RIBA and offshoots like the Society of Chief Architects 736 AJ 15 October 1980 ae CAWG, NAM, individual architects and neighbourhood groups must back him up. in Local Authorities (SCALA) are trying to hinder the active trade union and political do as they attempt to come to terms with the dismantlingoftheWelfareState.ThePresi- dent of SCALA, instead of acknowledging that to provide or not to provide council housing and other public building is and always has beena political act, now seeks to redefine the problem in technical rather than politicialterms:‘Thepatternofdemandis changing in many services. This arises from demographic change and other factors. This involvement of architects in campaigns againstthecutsinpublicservices.Itisonly through such involvement that the new model will be built. *(From: letter to Public Service and Local Governmest, September 1980 by President of SCALA.) MurrayandMaltzlookforwardtodiscussingtheseissuesand appropriate action with other architectural trade unionists at the New Architecture Movement Congress in Edinburgh on 7, 8 and9 November 1980. ¢ internal reform which abolishes arbitrary working links with other disciplines involved workers; e forging similar grass-roots organisational links with building users through tenants’ Next week, the Society of Chief Architects in Local Authorities (SCALA) isholding aone-day conference to discuss the future of local authority architecture. After the government cuts, many architects may have decided that there is no work for What future for public sector architects? Time please From M. W. Jeffels Diparch, RIBA, Acting County Architect, County of Cambridgeshire Sir: In his article on the 1980 JCT contract (AJ 1.10.80 pp667-669), Donald Valentine is concerned that it doesn’t make the failure of the employer to gain possession of the site a ground for an extension of time, and he suggests that architects should advise their clients to add this as a further reason for extending time. In my view we should try to avoid amending the contract and I would suggest that the architect has two practical solutions if the problem of late possession arises. He either issues an Architect’s Instruction to vary the date of practical completion, which would then be a relevant event as specified by JCT 1980, or he grants an extension of time under Clause 25.4.12 due to the failure of the employer to grant him ingress to the site through land owned by himself. The first alternative is the one which I would pursue in these circumstances. M. W. JEFFELS Cambridge Martin Richardson refreshes the parts... windows an added interest while the occu- pants stil have full security. This device is particularly suitable for doors to narrow entrance hall lobbies, which are usually left unventilated. A range of windows was marketed in Sweden some years ago with this arrangement, including insect grilles behind the louvres, but so far UK manufacturers have not, to my knowledge, shown interest in this idea. RICHARD BURFOOT East Twickenham, Middx Essex guidelines From 7. K. Simpson, architect Sir: The two schemes under fire in your ‘Colchester Camouflage’ article (AJ 27.8.80 p390) are, of course, pure Essex Design Guide (EDG). The South Woodham Ferrers complex, alas nowareality, which also falls under the critical axe, was of course definitive Design Guide. Remember the guide? The panacea for al that had ever ailed architecture since the dawn of time, and hailed with bouquets strewn in its path by the technical press including the AJ? Mr Dan Cruickshank amusingly and naively divides ‘blame’ for the Colchester schemes between ‘the council’s influence and tendency to favour the traditional approach’, and ‘the architects’ tendency to embrace the spurious principles of pastiche’, etc. Is Mr Cruickshank stil not aware that these schemes, as all schemes submitted through boroughs and districts in Essex (with thankfully, stil one notable exception) are of necessity pure EDG, because nothing short of this will ever get consideration. If any Contracting out From Peter Hampton RIBA Sir: Having read the new 1980 JCT contract, and your appraisal (AJ 1.10.80 pp667-669), it becomes ever clearer that an architect who allows his client to sign one is in grave danger of being sued for negligent advice. For many years the JCT contract has been ... other architects can’t reach. inclined so far towards the contractor as to earn the name of the ‘Contractor's Spot the difference contract—that this issue just has to be From Martin Richardson Darch, RIBA unacceptable. Thank goodness there is a Sir: The short answer to Mr Hossack’s letter ‘blame’ or criticism is due, it should surely better alternative—the Faculty of Architect's contract which puts the architect’s authority where it should be, in his own hands. PETER HAMPTON London SE1 Clear up on dereliction From Paul Spelzini Sir:IfeltIhadtoreplytoarecentreport(AJ upresidenceallhisspotshadgonc.But 17.9.80 p534) entitled “How to tackle whether this is due solely to the excellent derelict land and vandalism’. I am not as night ventilation only further detailed concerned with the latter as with the former, research would ascertain. a major factor in creating vandalism. MARTIN RICHARDSON A deliberate policy of under-investment by London WC2 successive governments is causing deteriora- Private view at the louvre tion of the national building fabric which is From Richard Burfoot DipArch, RIBA severely hampering efforts to provide better Sir: Your letter from Mr P. G. M. Hossack living and working conditions. John (AJ 24.9.80 p583) regarding the provision of Kelcey’s view that derelict land is a valuable night ventilation to casement windows, is resource may be true, but it is also a scar on the landscape and a drain on national resources. Consequently, Iwould advocate that derelict land be cleared of obstructions and rotting buildings, irrespective of ‘economic’ factors or red tape (listings, etc) to provide eco- logical zones in city areas. As a result more is no, it is not another instance of archi- tectural considerations over-riding people’s be laid at the shrine of the EDG and at the feet of those who accepted its ‘guidelines’ as mandatory. I somewhat gloomily forecast the future preferences. I am told by Milton Keynes Development Corporation Housing Department that they under the guide (letter AJ 5.4.78), and have never had a single complaint about although I am pleased to see the AJ night ventilation on the estate. One occu- pant, however, did tell me that since taking apparently changing horses, I am at the same time surprised that it got so far into midstreambeforeitdidso! J.K. SIMPSON Westcliffe-on-sea, Essex Dan Cruickshank replies: The AJ initially welcomed the Essex Design Guide because it sought to stop the worst of speculative housing in the county by instructing the builders and their architects how materials and clevations were traditionally treated in Essex. Before the appearance of the EDG it was common to get the same sort of boxes on grid layouts most interesting. House occupiers do need to have an additional means of ventilation while that one could have found in Dorset or the window remains closed. This is parti- Devon. The link between this and the guide, cularly important for older people living in admirable in intention but questionable in single storey houses, or in apartments practice, is not as direct as Mr Simpson directly adjoining an access balcony, who need positive security. I have for some years used a vertical louvre, suggests. Indeed, one of the more poignant aspects of the Colchester story is that the borough council, far from being dragooned by the requirements of the EDG genuinely interesting city areas could be created and many problems associated with dereliction, doors with an internally opening insulated wanted this type of scheme. It was made including the investment and safety aspects would improve. PAUL SPELZINI Potters Bar panel, usually side hung which, if necessary, may be in two or more sections to give high or low level ventilation. Louvres can give clear to both firms of architects at the outset that only ‘traditional’ style design would be considered. AJ 15 October 1980 in wood or metal, to one side of windows and CAWG, NAM, individual architectsand neighbourhood groups must back him up. New Architecture Movement, 9 Poland Street, London WI. 3rd April 1978. Dear PUBLIC DESIGN SERVICE CONFERENCE, UCATT HALL, GOUGH STREET, BIRMINGHAM Yours sincerely, for Public Design Group, NAM. Invitation PUBLIC DESIGN GROUP As you may know, the New Architecture Movement decided at its Hull Congress in November 1977 to develop further its policies relating to the Public Sector. Since then, work in this field has continued steadily and the Public Design Group which was delegated at Hull to arrange a conference now invite you to attend this, the first NAM Public Design Service Conference in Birmingham on Saturday 6 May 1978. During the past months we have met regularly and consolidated our programme. In addition to refining our critique of architectural patronage and local authority working arrangements, we have been considering the origins and evolution of local authority architectural departments, their internal structure and their relationship to the profession, private practice and to society as a whole. Papers on these will be available at the conference. We feel that discussions have now progressed sufficiently for interim proposals to be made. At the same time areas of further study and action have been identified and more support is needed to extend the work of this group. We therefore hope that you Will wish to participate in the conference and to contribute subsequently to the programme. As you can see from the attached papers it will be a very full day. We hope you will be able to attend, and we look forward to receiving your application as early as possible and to seeing you in Birmingham on th May. Freeson must take the initiative but — ; CAWG, NAM, individual architectsand . neighbourhoodgroupsmustbackhimup. STR LE f ere Leche t rehabilitation The Architects’ Journal 30 August 1978 | Astragal | Squeals of delight an Gambolling at the Ritz. a ee No doubt it’s due to the warm weather—a condition which encourages useful reflection —that Ifind myself ruminating rather excessively upon historical matters thisweek. But events have conspired to exaggerate the condition. For example, Ifound myself being entertained at a reception in the gambling dens of the Ritz and, as Ichomped my lobster and quaffed champagne, Iwas assured that ‘Conservationists and socialites throughout the world breatheda sigh of relief when London’s Ritz hotel was reprieved from decline by anew management’. For two years, Iwas told, the basement had been closed and used for storage—sacrilege. But now all is put right (that is, returned to the original 1906 design) and gold leaf, ‘faux marbre’, lush carpets, and specially designed French rococo furniture have returned to these quarters. OPEN THE COMMUNITY CHEST The initiative being taken by the RIBA Community Architecture Working Group (CAWG) towards launching a community aid fund is extremely welcome. As we reported last week (p356), CAWG is collecting data from architects engaged in ‘community work’ to demonstrate to Housing minister Reg Freeson the need for such a fund. What no one has given much thought to is how such a fund should work. Should it be controlled by central government, local government, neighbourhood groups orthe RIBA? Should the money be used to subsidise private architects? Or should efforts be concentrated solely on expanding local authority departments? The latter approach was advocated by the Public Design Group of the New Architecture Movement recently, but they have not spelt out how it would work. CAWG has so far not committed itself. The Netherlands system (see p374) is therefore particularly interesting because the Dutch appear to be several years ahead of us. There neighbourhood groups really do have some access to and control over architects; tenants are allocated to new flats before they are designed and therefore can be involved in the design process. The main lesson to be gleaned from the Netherlands, however, is that the system evolved as it did only because of both pressure from local neighbourhood groups (often assisted voluntarily by architects) and an enlightened government. If we are to progress in this country Freeson must take the initiative but CAWG, NAM, individual architects and neighbourhood groups must back him up. The designer responsible, Robert Lush, worked with GLC historians to get all the details right. And getting it right has been pricy. For example, the walnut doors alone cost £1000 apiece. But the press release (from which Ihave been quoting) ends with a spasm of unexpected perception: ‘whether f 4:| Building The Architects’ Journal 30 August 1978 Defending the faith Taken out of context Cl/SfB| 81 The Welsh way Astragal [the rich and famous] will appreciate the care and expense that are being used to restore this spectacular example of Edwardian rococo abounding with stucco and extensive gold leafing isamoot point’. The Ritz’s press officer has stolen my words. should be abetter balance between the two sites and wants the expansion to take place not at Headington, Oxford, but five miles away at Wheatley. It also thinks that the depart- ment of architecture should be the unit to move to improve the balance. Oxford County Council isapparently proposing to move the Oxford School of Architecture from Oxford to Wheatley, a pleasant village five miles to the east.At Wheatley there is already a part of the Oxford Polytechnic using buildings put up fora teachers’ training college. The Poly isdue to expand by 6000 square metres and from 3200 to 3600 students in the next couple of years and there are at present only 700 education and management students at Wheatley. The county thinks that there It’s a subtle scheme. Bear in mind that there are, of course, far too many university students in Oxford anyway, let alone polytechnic ones, and that the factories at Cowley are the only really important features of the city.Recall also that the influence of Oxford buildings on architectural students can be very upsetting. Remember too, that there are an excessive number of architects in practice anyway and that architectural study may make a man discontented with his environment for life. All this supports the argument that any step taken to destroy an architectural school must be welcomed. Isolating a school of architecture in a village is just such a step. The art historians’ favourite church in Muswell Hill, London. The way the listing process is being run down is really getting beyond a joke. The list for Swansea has not been revised since itwas first compiled in the early 1950s and, says the Welsh Office, will not be until the 1990's. As one would imagine, many buildings in Swan- sea which are now listable are not protected. Also, again as we would imagine, several of these potentially listable buildings are cur- rently threatened. Notably the Carlton cinema, built in the early 1900s and the Palace Theatre of 1888. Both are important survivors in this much-devastated city and both could be found suitable new uses if there was some official move to save them. Surely, since the Welsh Office intend to be so feeble, the city council should serve Building Preservation Notices on the buildings. The Welsh Office would then have to take some action and, who knows, do its duty and safeguard thehistoric buildings under itscare. There can’t be many threatened buildings to have had Sir Hugh Casson, Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, Sir John Summerson and Sir John Betjeman as its champions. The lucky building that these illustrious fellows are now fighting (or at least writing letters) for is the somewhat unlikely Broadway church in Muswell Hill, North London. Built in 1903 and designed in a curious eclectic Art Nouveau style by George and Reginald Baynes, the church is listed grade II and its owners, the United Reformed Church, want todemolish itand sell the site for commercial development. As a result of the application a public inquiry was held a couple of months ago whose decision is still awaited. Certainly the inspector should find in favour of retention for not only is the church important in itself, and in a key position in a well preserved Edwardian suburb, but also the local group (BROACH) fighting for ithas collected 9000 signatures from locals calling for the church’s preservation and has produced a scheme showing how itcould successfully be tumed into a centre for music. Carlton cinema in Swansea. CI/SfB, 81 bakbmesilt) rehabilitation WORKING FOR AN ENLIGHTENED LOCAL AUTHORITY ALLOWS ONE TO PUT INTO PRACTICE ONE'S CONCEPT OF ARCHITECTURE AS A SOCIAL SERVICE . 4+.THE SOUAL SERVANT. THE AGED... THE INFIRM THE HANDICAPPED / AND HOW BO THEY LIKE THE NEW BUILDING, MATRON 7 HOSTEL FOR HAUNICAPPED OLD PEOPLE CLASS 6p/s Obituary Charles Eames Charles Eames, who died last week aged 71, was one of the most influential furniture designers of this century. He trained as an architect and worked in Eliel Saarinen’s office. Street, London E8. 13.00-17.00. With Eero Saarinen he was one of the first to appreciate the potential of new production techniques and new materials. His first outstanding design (with Saarinen in 1940) was for an armchair in die-moulded aluminium and plywood. The famous rotating “Eames chair’, with its mighty headrest and stool, was also designed in laminated timber and aluminium (1957) but the majority of his post-war designs were for furniture in various kinds of plastic; many are produced by Herman Miller Inc. Eames did not limit himself to furniture design. In 1949, the steel-framed house he built for himself at Santa Monica, Cali- fornia, out of standard components ordered from a catalogue, showed a humane and delightful approach to industrialised Plymouth Polytechnic one-day conference ‘The teaching of colour in schools of archi- building that has, unfortunately, been too little followed by Ltd). At TCPA, 17 Carlton others. All his work: his furniture, exhibition stands, films and toys showed the Eames hallmark—painstakingly thorough, yet full of wit and chann. House Terrace, London SW1. Admission: 20p. At 18,30. 12 September RIBA/DIA private view of Alvar Aalto exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, Burling- ton House, Piccadilly, London WI. Fork buffet supper with wine will be served in the galler- ies during the evening. Cash bar on arrival. Tickets: £6-50 from Anne Corke, RIBA Conference Office (01-580 5533 ext 225). 19.30-22.30. (Exhibition open to public from 16 September to 15 October). 18 September One of Eames’ wittier designs. ad The Architects’ Journal 30 August 1978 an s Diary IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE NEEDY AND DEPENDEAST MEMGERS OF A CARING ComMMUNITY OH WE ABSOLUTELY ADORE IT, DoNT WE MR CHATTERLEIGH 7 2 September NAM Public Design Group tecture’. Speakers include Martin mecting “Theory and Practice’ at Wilkinson and Tom Porter. At Centerprise, 136 Kingsland High 9-10 September NAM Leeds Group Forum, main topic NAM Constitution. At Red Ladder Theatre Building, New Blackpool Centre, Cobden Avenue, Lower Wortley, Leeds. Details from Norman Arnold, 9 Midland Road, Leeds. Plymouth Polytechnic, Palace Court, Palace Street, Plymouth. Details from: Joe Lynes, prin- cipal lecturer, School of Archi- tecture (0752 21312). 27 September The Polytechnic of Central Lon- don: one-day course on arbitra- tions. At PCL School of the Environment, 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1. Inquiries to the Short Course Unit (01- 486 5811 ext 397). 6 October Corrections O The figure of £74 000 quoted in the news item about the newly converted premises for RIBA Publications Ltd (AJ 5.7.78 p48) comprises not merely the conversion cost—as implied in our note—but the entire budget including freehold purchase of the old building, conversion costs and all fees. ( In ‘Use of redundant build- ings 2’ (AJ 22.3.78 p568) para 2.02, the correct address for SAVE should read 3 Park Square West, London, NW1 4LJ (01-486 4953). ( Russell Rose was the job architect for the Dutch Quarter, Colchester (AJ 26.10.77 p780-1 and AJ 17.5.78 p952). Future events TCPA Planning Forum ‘Hous- ing in the inner city’. Speaker: A. F. Rawson (chairman, Bar- ratt Developments Southern th la ees, 372 The Architects’ Journal 30 August 1978 1‘Concrete Armada’ by Deanna Petherbridge. 2 ‘Brick Knor’ by Wendy Taylor. 10 eweee ~[ James" Latnamesuggetcans vi ,] ITCTFs illustrated RS Time2 wo eA i” { \ | 4 :i i { Berto)PATS eeaie) 19.10. asoeOreee ~ a nt to know.’ fa ceri, 5ht AT 15 October | —— ize amen das aun a @ ARE: “gaan on)a5 ane. 4B MEER OTeh ee cuaeo one-theperson nd, on the way, aoente aCR psa.Meeye me PS | t | | AJ 15 October 1980 a} coincides with a period of economic diffi- culty... .'* The political basis of the cuts in public expenditure thus disappears, public sector architects are separated from their context and SCALA can address itself to finding a technical solution to a technical problem. Why should leaders of the profession shy away from a reality so apparent to everybody else? Is it because they are unwilling or unable to accept that the model of architec- tural practice which has been pursued for over half a century is not (and probably never has been) relevant to the practice of architecture as a public service? The promulgation of this model is reinforced by the control of architectural education, employment and regulation (ARCUK) by the leaders of the profession. It defines the architect as an independent entrepreneur operating in an idealised private economy, in competition with other architects and in con- flict with other professions and trades in the building industry. Imposed on the public sector, this model has resulted in a view of councillors, tenants and fellow public sector workers (who suffer under similar models) as obstacles in the path of their architectural creations, rather than collaborators in the effective provision of desired services. The key to the realisation of a new role for public architecture is an alternative model based on: internal reform which abolishes arbitrary and obstructive hierarchies and moves towards a structure based on co-operative principles; e forging strong technical and political working links with other disciplines involved in the production of buildings, such as housing officers, valuers and building workers; e forging similar grass-rootsorganisational links with building users through tenants’ associations. The clear aim should be to create integrated public development teams, including al those who are involved in the production and subsequent management of building, which would be accountable to councillors and tenants ona local basis. This model isdependent on collective action of architects and fellow workers, acting through strong inter-disciplinary unions like NALGO and TASS, for both its implemen- tation and successful operation. Substantial moves in this direction have already begun in two boroughs. Professional institutions that seek to line up architectural staff in al sectors behind the owners of private architectural firms, merely hinder the active trade union and political involvement of architects in campaigns against the cuts in public services. It is only through such involvement that the new model will be built. (From letter to Public Service and Local Government, Sepiembee 1980 by President of SCALA.) Next week, the Society ofChief Architects in Local Authorities (SCALA) isholding aone-day conference to discuss the future of local authority architecture. After the government cuts, many architects may have decided that there is no work for Following the collapse of the GLC archi- tects’ department, Bob Giles and many of his architect colleagues are looking for some satisfactory alternative employment. As one of the Salaried Architects’ Group, he has | campaigned for years for more authority to be delegated to job architects. However, despite his optimism when Fred Pooley’s practice groups were first discussed at the GLC, (AJ 29.11.78 p1022) he cannot raise any enthusiasm now they have been set up- The initial idea has been badly mutilated by savage cuts in both the number of architects and their workload and, in any case, all work on education buildings has been excluded from the groups for the time being, so architects working on ILEA buildings remain in the same old empire, pyramid and al. Giles continues to be bitterly critical of the hierarchical pyramids that still exist in most public architects’ offices and sees no reason to have an architect at the top of them. He argues that once an architect leaves the draw- ing board he loses touch with his expertise and is no better than any other administra- tor. It is the very existence of these large hierarchies, completely divorced from building users, that has brought about the downfall of the public office. So tightly defined are the roles of the different tiers of authority that those professionals who actually carry out the work rarely, ifever, get a chance to meet their real clients. Every- thing has to be relayed through each layer of the pyramid and several committees. No wonder public architecture is unpopular—it is imposed upon its users, whether they like it or not. Since no system is foolproof, Giles sees no point in employing endless numbers of ‘back stops’ to ensure thar nothing goes wrong. Architects are professionals and should be allowed to take responsibility for their own work, without layers of higher-graded pro- fessionals to supervise them. He thinks that more public money is wasted in employing people to ensure that mistakes are not made than could ever really be justified. The only hope for public architects, argues Giles, is if the impenetrable hierarchies are dismantled and small local offices set up to them in the public sector, but some still have very positive ideas about their future role. This week, the AJ gives the views of three architects working at the drawing board in the public sector. Next week we shall be looking at the ideas of one chief architect. What future for public sector architects? Bob Giles is a member of the RIBA Salaried Architects’ Group and ts stil employed in the GLC architects’ department. The AF went to se him. John Murray and Bob Maltz are unattached architects, trade smionists and members of the New Architecture Movement and both are employed in the public sector. They write: serve the community, almost like corner shops. Certainly there would be no ‘career structure’ or ‘promotion prospects’ but motivation to go into public service should not be about selfenhancement at the expense of talent. It should, he feels, have an element of what George Smiley called ‘a sense of service’—and that means working with, as well as for, the community. Discussions on the future of architecture as 4 public service are surfacing in the archi- cectural press. Not since the AJ Guest Editor series in 1952 has there been any widespread informed consideration of this matter. The harbinger of the long overdue debate is less welcome. Public expenditure cuts, parti- cularly in housing and education, mean that there will be less work for architects. At the same time, as local councils come under increasing pressure to reduce staff, depart- ments of architecture rank a close second to direct labour organisations as prime targets for the ‘back to private profit’ movement. Architects in general, but especially those who work in the public sector, find them- selves thrust forcibly into a spotlight which clearly locates them as actors OF victims on 4 political stage. They are not alone in this predicament. It is one that they share with the one million householders on the country’s council and housing association waiting lists, and with other public sector workers and the people for whom their services are intended. Thus the position of the public sector architect is not separate from that of the tenant, housing officer or building worker and cannot reasonably be considered in isolation. Yet this is precisely what the RIBA and offshoots like the Society of Chief Architects in Local Authorities (SCALA) are trying to do as they attempt to come to terms with the dismantling of the Welfare State. The Presi- dent of SCALA, instead of acknowledging that to provide or not to provide council housing and other public building is and always has been a political act, now seeks t0 redefine the problem in technical rather than politicial terms: ‘The pattern of demand is changing in many services. This arises from demographic change and other factors. This al Murray aed Maltz look forward to discussing these issues and appropriate action with other architectural trade uniocists at the New Architecture Movement Congress in Edinburgh on 7,8 and? November 1980. 4| ee |National architectural service? The A:rchitects' Journal 2 March 1977 ‘Boss architects’ But David Gosling said that those speaking posal were merely ‘representing their own positions or chief architects’ and the RIBA was supposed to represent architects, the majority of whom are salaried. ‘If we oppose this proposal we will be seen, in Hellman’s words, as the Royal Institute of Boss Architects.’ was not up- Several other speakers said that if the proposal accepted then something much stronger would come Adams said that the institute’s study of the profession, Bernard shortly, shows that the majority of which will be published the there or it could ‘find some way of salaried architects are not happy with their lot. Either could ‘sit on the safety valve’ in which case institute would be a ‘certain explosion’, the pressure and find a new kind of professionalism’. relieving to defer a decision was an attempt to Brown said the decision kill the proposal and ‘puts its finger on the [lack of] of the Council’. sincerity against the pro- as partners all ae! ps > the professional class, the need for accountability in the pro- posed fund, the need for community schemes to be locally based. ‘Many people working in this arca think that the prin- ciples of the RIBA aresagainst the principles of community architecture’, he said, affirming his belief in ‘4 community 4, _\ 3 |were another example of architects believing themselves to |be ‘a panacea for social problems’. The paper did not recog- |nise severe problems: the suspicion by the working class of ite ’aa |Benefit communities, not architects Student member David Breakell believed that the proposals architecture that benefits communities, notarchitects’. Jim Johnson agreed. Very often the community architect needs to become a kind of entrepreneur—taking initiatives for people who will not do so for themselves. A new concept of professionalismisneeded:‘it’softenamatteroftakingsides’. The institute, he thought, should take ‘a persuasive not @ pre- scriptiveattitude’.DavidPercivalwantedtoseethefeescale pressedcodeofbuildingregulations;second,forahighly revised to be appropriate for community work. efficient enforcement service operated by ‘adequately skilled James Latham suggested that the industry’s pressure group persons’, and third, for ‘as far as possible uniform interpreta- oeftheCounde Savidge ideas get wide support In the debate on the building regulations, councillor after councillor reiterated the same proposals for reform as spelled out in the AJ by Rex Savidge. Thedebatecentredonapaperfromtheinstitute’sBuilding Control Committee which called first for a single clearly ¢x- TA ‘The Architects’ Journal 19 April 1978 on Westminster, the Group of Eight, should take up the pro- posal for a fund. The Government is committed to improving the inner cities but doesn’t know what to do, he argued. Nego- tiations with Whitehall should start immediately. Salaried architects sat upon After one of the most fraught debates of the day’s meeting, Council rejected a proposal by the Salaried Architects Group to immediately set up a Salaried Practice Advisory and Con- ciliation Panel. Instead, by 18 votes to 17, a much-amended motion was carried agreeing in principle to the notion of such a body but referring the idea to the membership and public affairs committee and to the membership in general for its views. Jake Brown, who put forward the proposal on behalf of SAG, voted against the amended motion because he said it was an attempt to sweep the issue under the carpet. The SAG proposal, described by Brown as a ‘spring lamb’ in its mildness, is aimed at providing a means by which salaried architects could protest against employers who prevent them carrying out their work with proper professional responsibility. The panel (five members including two salaried architects and two principals/chief officers) would be appointed by Council and could only act with the co-operation of its members. Un- like an industrial tribunal it could not have statutory power. Yet Council members expressed their disquiet with the pro- posal. Ray Moxley said he had a ‘gut feeling of anxiety. It could be very damaging to good relations in practices.’ Eric Lyons said it could ‘seriously jeopardise the future of private practice ...to see this institution as a quasi trade union would be very worrying’. Allan Groves, chief architect ofCornwall, said it would be ‘divisive’ and was unnecessary because ‘chief architects in the public sector are responsible individuals’. RIBAGOUNC : ; subsidised by fees from otherwork. Alan Meikle, introducing the paper on community architec- ture, emphasised that community architecture is not ‘a pass~ ing trend’. Economic and social pressures will ensure that, for many architects, the nature of their job will change, he said. There will be much more concern with the existing stock i 3. Now it’s the turn of the infantry: house-to-house work |anu fine-grainplanning.” ( |Much is being done but not enough, he argued. So anational |fund is needed to help the poor acquire the skills ofarchitects, |just as the legal aid scheme and the National Health Service |help them get access to the services of the otherprofessions. |A Community Aid fund should be set up by the Government to help poor people pay for architectural advice. Council agreed by a massive majority that the institute should press Whitehall to provide cash for this purpose. The fund would |cover fees for community schemes including abortive work, |non-architecrural services related to home improvement and fees for full services for housing rehabilitation, which is often |and by extension, directly with the inhabitants. “The day of |the big battalions with their bulldozers and tower crancs is ‘This kind of architecture can only be practised with the know- |ledge and consent of the user’, he said, “we must be moving towards an architecture for everyone, not just for those who have the money to pay forit.” Lotham: Whitehall talks should start immediately. baile againgge!meetinif Nittional Krogty Pore To suggestthatthe,ptiblig 9dJ résifmably iknorantof St ictural caine cerstharhas.Beught oTarepypodana sh the } reputid to Prafgs Comments ) cin +}, Fhereave ingund muledheg pga yara sare modularragigdesignSah y ho a Crohg fyétédines the onthe icedu demonsiarlor,THate02 Leagueiscomplet PT theuseofviolegce'fshemHrotXo- esré SESS, au his letter (AJ 4.1.78 p7) than is - illustrgt a a inthearticle cepttha Ryle deteahi AJen i Apna ~| thectigui,= cea rathJK use Ras own money i At itsobjectivesa) acwcoesforthelowWgubli<4\ASuithiehainal_\ An ‘Architects agaitet dens ff National FrontTMtarfipantey has been set up,to enfouragd! ) » architects?SdHvindK{ ofthemt ziLeague. The a intentionjd bgnae SaPO} t signaturesdtLooWarg hitects Cy and\£5000 intdonaiSiots to. theA LScafes16.5Sal A massive response of this sortcanbel}++eyeBoB } of the Natis iu Brtai counter theunpretedented Nazi Propaganda to which the electorat: is going tobe , exposed Iath‘eg ack Sn IcallupeénaiBARE demonstrate their ahbortuke of racialism by writing to‘give support to this campaign, irrespective of other political differences. Letters of support and donations should be sent to “Architects against the National Front’, c/o The Architectural Association, 34-36 Bedford Square, London, WCI1B 3ES John Sell London WC1 ee Recollections of violence From Geoffrey Maddison RIBA, AADip!, MRTPI Sir; Your correspondent A. Anderson PUN eeoneronpeene Ppastebrmo fWhi en, gine - complam, /¥ i\ sone ent, disgri inssting f uniARelligencel &We’ woltd sugkest th: ‘Goth ‘compejence CORN ay auseful i}. wulge! tab hthe'pub! hf,5‘intelligen,ry= vy NYyWretfeb sewho find e lre pe OLA lnnang Fe alfo a ah, The Architects’ Journal 19 April 1978 733 qualification. Put against the RIBA, SAAT iss*Hlinitsinfandydandunless $ Fascists in London in the 1930s; my own visits to oom any. he Austria in crab re includingbejngaeay! wastocarrytheargument nerchristopbblign} GestapowhenItriedtoseTebeyondtheengineeingcirclein.*schatny;moveaiwaiyf)dup Photographs of evidence of aptj)=4ne Sir: The objegt of the Ie on limig state debigycaJ ‘Ate 77 p1201 ath pate will definit bth sides, juWshagdakafpnhiy Reng) c cretive, kriow-it-a MTaeakG ingsin theirsHa wBeebyandBillen Ulnton N «PaniDAO }ow SAAT the only hope From §.mele have Jewish violence in Vienna and a “a y]a ekweston era Or mharter rather than writh tt prejudiced red scare hysteria shown by Meese whosq attituleist ander hit was previouslyy confined a sintendedtobe contfovepdl. a mal opinionlabourthediahdonAasfitrary fe | ieDurSdieenthere ckwork, The figBures ip —- rey diso; freeeprohcesslegiayt Pe webrokethatdow great Tho ember that the argicles in i¢saméansvWerusing;J197](repripy asatOAT CP110thanusidgAVWe;Hanokybidsstiekei rae that he €Ane shme dealt adequately pfich the evel ofthenewdhaftBS449, jets f;actors,Hytosis iyteleee Bepate soe <q riticismofthecurent <as‘ind"thatmaywel} CP114 i)AN Agigbed ths Midd TM io ‘ishTaohie‘ dai a 1 ang,sAAiSteayy wcthts my aWrarded, ean li ; Whatwedany Aino 4 ~sénse’ig the OF Mi sicy in shortestsupply,particujgtly where fashion and progress are concerned G. ae bets Ao > G A4Hodgkinstn letter above). members. Ihave astrong feeling that if some review is not made soon, the R pamey inda take-over bid.by shar very (evidert—based Ppirel) and simply, on the fact that there will be more of them than us! Philip W. Heeks “Crewe and Nantwich, Cheshire : London W4 a a a ee té Technicians’ training wl From Philip W. Heeks Sir: uM | Twould like to stronghy *ey fi the let from B@. Tint AJ 30.11.77 p1961), Satie to architectural technician training My own view is that as the RECS now have a bridging, courge fo eyabersofST,.s¢should the yolbam haveabridgeforSAAT to totally demolish 17 listed buildings and partially demolish five others, in the Queen, Foregate, Frodsham Street area ofthecity. Ifnthhi Rey: are not going forthasc wv mentioned above; then what are they going for? nsstheSince would begin to id“y t he editors engineersare prepared to ope Kj Acepniebpaehibnona lad From John Sell RIBA Sir A. Anderson is incorrect in both the points he seeks to make (AJ 12.4.78 p678) attack- ing the Anti Nazi League. the latter would begin to com- prehendichgincering realities themannerofeee them" opinion in this country, united « forthe soleobjectiveef Opposing.the poi of racial by the National ¥ront and other Nazi organisations Among oe thousands who have givent su ort to the Anti Nazi Lea cmeiiAbey ‘A shtcoft’ S§ir * Tohi Gielgud, Pete Buon 'i Cleo L3ine, ints M Michael*Parkinson’ a Previn The second paragraph of Mr Anderson’s letter cdr, only refer x toac paysasceayyn Srpanfsed a by tH BitmifigHam Ang “A RacialistCGommittesAR ON mil + ici " a with e ee obectsincludney wen rhehup~gilrcominghttechniéians socialpriority Bye no rote of ite it,1¢Willstayth woe oar | ANnti-Naziaesan) Sca¥sbrook yeybehthtetenteeoftheanti-_ ressreports,and Mlfission . roadbpjldittglobby*howsthar” mee none of itsmm ti ’ salt this Yarn. ispossiMe anstttat Ohi re sj bienseatdesign OW Pirliamentacceptsthatthe Weide fromG.M.Roseland psppleSreotaay o NSNareeas Mosley’s|AHodgkinson Tens (AJ 12.4.78 p678) refers to the Anti-Nazi League as being odious and implies that its Sir; a Afthe regi MOI tocar * pees(AJ5:4,78 2637),Iie} Neth hq Kok CrRAtRoid° people. Imysqlf havéheen c xhpalyttlege forthe.By Ao ght years with SAAT as, the,a / oly hopep Al Tretogn: fi aigingysnyie i ith present and future empl yaa of the heagJAf ane} oPHNCanWaspwheoal ate\) confused e eS ai‘terePRO aeaePee cah yj take tq hainthese quabfic nS,6, atbotertaiglyrare. Renee anda lot of Practiges § Nesto % Further recollections of violence (sec oviteaanags;,* Whe eal TheAntiNaziLeagueisnot pyc lentWaragainstaD ¢ ndengagaen! aCommunist front apisation« but an organisatig priothdd Vv V5ve ine pat byaverywidecross-Sectionof da We ear TRearticle,cover: ,aspectof ergs ofs ipimty 3 the appligation o Agate te Meavehale ay ay demiginhi— biplais tehnlticz Up firswy QbA hicg eke heirorric 5 T(soncepe’a doesnotinA { ‘ SARE merefygeflectsthecriticismWs hoserjousissinapros CP11¥ made ateverypectin lit é ae fe criticisry fe ca)pve v on that code since jtapp, Nuintt a eb sis intakeinganarbi- ts sevenforthesafetyfactor {Harry ae | 119. brey Says no more in CNaweregiso equal ose 386 ‘ \ » The Architects’ Journal 2 March 1977 . Diary 2 March The possibilities of community architecture meeting organised ternational Council of Socicties by Nottingham New Architec- of Industrial Design at the May ture Movement group, at the Fair Theatre, Stratton Street, Peacock Hotel, Mansfield Road, j London WI. Speakers include Nottingham. Guest. speaker Selwyn Goldsmith. Adam Purser, NAM, London. 16-17 March 19.30. 3 March Official vandalism: housing in the inner city lecture by Jim chow preanised by NORSAG, at the Departiient of Architecture, Infor systems for de- | signers symposium and* exhibi- tion at the Universiy of South- ampton, organised by the Design Group. Details: Publication Ser- vices, 33/35° Foxley Lane, High WAKE UP, SIR — YOUVE BEEN MADE } Edinburgh University, 22 Salyington, Wotthing, Sussex, +) REDUNDANT/ \Chahibérs Street, Edifburgh, at 117.15 “4 March’, 5 ay Discourse in architecture lecture by Francoise Choy in Lecture \ Theatre 1, Architecture Unit, ¥ 4)Pobytechnic’ of Central London, BD13 3AD (0903 65405). 23-25 March ———————— ee Design guidance a three ‘stage workshop organised +by\ the School for Advanced Urban Studies to proyide a forum’ to discuss how design guides are 35 Marylebone Road, ‘London | preparedy their,impact on. devel- opment control and-thteir pérfor- “mance. Details; Judith Tyler, School for Advanced Urban Richard MacCormac: an archi- \ Studies, ‘Rodney, Lodge, Grange tect’s. approach’ to ~architécture Road, Bristol: BS8 4EA; (Bristol mecting at North East London; 311117). Polytechnic,: Department of 23-25 March aa Architecture,ForestRoad,Lon- rN eeeobe NW1, at 18.00. i sSe _ 7 March |EiDeadwood| CHIEF ARCHITECT) don, E17, at 18.30. . — a + Aspects of health ‘provision building programmes course for architects, administrators and , YOURE UNAWARE OF w THE Wider ISSUES § March ‘ Tropical architecture lecture by pFactifioners on the designiprob- vere LADDIE f vf Otto Koenigsberger at the Lec- “lents ing region#i\ant ajgrice tures. Theatre, 'sDepartment >of + health authorities) organiséd by Fine ‘Art, Neveanle Univecsity, the IpSituseof Adv: anced Afchiy |) tectural Studies. Derhils: they Secrosary, IAAS, King’s Manors at 13.00. / a —_— : - 7 Yor’, YOT ZEP (0904 26912). 28 March-2 )April tony 1 > seminar with speakers Gordon *“Rok? “and Patrick-\Morréay; at, 7 8 March Tube structures and the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, Correction)“; Liverpoo}] Polytechnic, Main 6 Wérdhe ddiwings hahdbsoky Jiy‘hecture_Theatte, Byrom Street, i26.1.77, IS5,/p188, para 1.02 § Liverpool 1, ag 14.30 third line sHould ready ¢he:values 8 March }\ aX Lecture by. Geoffrey. Darke t otganised by); N@RSAC, at 17,15. See above for venue. 8Mairch LA ASS Lecture by Cedric Price in the Main Auditorium, South Bank Polytechnic, Wandsworth Rbad, London SW8, at 16.30. 8 March RABAS*Lalk in’: can we afford the building regulations? Walter Segal will open the discussion with Eric Lyons in the chair, at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place, * London W1, at 18.30. — ‘9 March Milton Keynes lecture by Derek Walker ofganised by Oxford Polytechnic, at Museum of ‘Modern Art, 30 Pembroke s Stteet, Oxford, at 19.30. th 9 March Le Thoronet, La Tourette lec- ture by Dr Geoffrey Baker, at Plymouth Polytechnic School of Architécture, Studio 3, at 14.00. AJ © \ i7'S ALU RieHTs OFFICER = / I've'Gor Aim | Future events The designer and the disabled conference sponsored by the In- =. 1 :V2‘and, of course, | XA¥ FS compil, p186, should read. eqm- passes 9 , : Innnext week’s. Guy ‘Hawkins looks at Water- field School, Thamesmead—a turning point in the design of comprehensive secondary schools. ® UY Git mavens LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE IN THE NEWS AGAIN / fi ‘The Architects’ Journal 2 March 1977 ponds and redecorate Sydenham station. The fifth campaign is intended to encourage Londoners to plant more trees. A special committee chaired by architect and tree enthusiast Sydney Chapman will advise public auth- pees and individuals and, in some cases, it will help with cash. Neut Fe duce partial services only, said Nisbet, and ‘such policies declare only too clearly that the cor- porate client has no requirement for independent professional advice’. Even so, Nisbet pointed to the greatly increased status of the qs. Partly as a result of the power of the corporate client, most qs firms now find that a large pro- portion of their appointments are made direct by the client without prior selection of the qs by architect or engincer. Qss’ status has also been enhanced by their appointment as project co-ordin- ators of design teams, said Nis- bet. ‘We are all proud of the fact that a quality surveyor was chosen to manage the team for the National Exhibition Centre and that the project was success- ful in terms of both time and cost.” This role for the qs is growing and, according to Nisbet, there seems little doubt that there is ‘a tendency for clients to look to them for financial management in the full sense of accepting res- ponsibility for ultimate costs. And no doubt it will soon become apparent that responsibility can- not be undertaken without the authority to take such actions as would ensure compliance with the financial brief.’ Local authority single person housing is being provided for the first time, by a London borough at least. Haringey implemented this policy from 1 January and other boroughs will follow suit. Haringey gives priority first to those over 50 who cannot afford a mortgage, then to people over 35 earning less than £35 per week. Those under 35 get the lowest priority. There are also residence qualifications. The sixth campaign aims to use waste land and buildings al over London. The pilot projects include the conversion of waste land by the canal in Paddington to a temporary park, the creation of a permanent park in the Isle of Dogs and the foundation of a city farm in Newham which will incorporate grazing land, a tree nursery and a communal vegetable plot. The seventh campaign is intended to clean up London’s build- ings and streets. The west front of St Mary le Strand, the portico of St Paul’s Covent Garden, the Ritz and Grand Buildings in Trafalgar Square are all to be cleaned this year. Build to human scale: Shore Listed building legislation is not overruled by Dangerous Struc- tures or public health legislation. Answering a question in the House of Commons last week, Environment Secretary Peter Shore made it clear that listed building consent must be obtained before any demolition works are carried out on listed buildings—even those that have been classed as Dangerous Structures. pt In the past there has been con- fusion over this point because several listed buildings, for ex- ample the 1760 tapestry factory in Streatham Street, London (AJ 17/24.12.75 p1282), have been demolished as Dangerous Structures without listed build- ing consent. Large corporate organisations, both public and private, are crod- ing the professional role accord- ing to qs James Nisbet. Recently Nisbet talked to the qs division of the RICS and explained that thegrowthoflargecorporateSSesa clients, with their in-house pro- fessional teams, tended to reduce independent professional firms to ‘a reservoir of supplementary manpower to be called on from time to time as necessary and to follow instructions’. There was an unnecessary tendency for in- dependent qss to be asked to pro- P. E. O'Sullivan, professor of architectural science at the Welsh School of Architecture, Univer- sity of Wales, is one of four new members appointed to the Advis- ory Council on Energy Conser- vation by the Secretary of State for Energy, Tony Benn. Manor Farm scheme in Stornoway, Council’s Architect's Department. Peter Shore, Secretary of State for the Environment, spelled out the Government's thinking on new housing when he opened the GLC exhibition ‘New directions in housing’ at the Design Centre last week (AJ 23.2.77 pp330-334). Shore welcomed the ‘trend back to building on a human scale” and opined that ‘when historians look back on the ’sixties I think they may categorise it as an age of illusion, of false hope and false dreams—a period in which we thought we could & solve society’s problems by turning to the new and theuntried, WY breaking with the past. In no area is this more true than 'n the field of housing architecture where, with the best of “‘ntentions, though the worst of consequences, politicians, planners, architects—with few dissenting voices from outside —saw the block and other high density dwellings as the answer. This approach did answer one problem—slum clearance— for we saw a faster rate of planned redevelopment than any other country in the world. But I think we can now acknow- ledge that we probably created as many difficulties for our- selves as ever we solved.’ No more comprehensive redevelopment He criticised the notion of comprehensive redevelopment (though ‘I am not one who believes that bricks and mortar as such must be preserved, whatever the cost, just because they are 50 or more years old’). But, said Shore, ‘where we build new we must place a premium on trying to preserve the sense of community, the street patterns, the facilities and al the other familiar landmarks which give people their sense of identity with an area’. He stressed that a strategic housing plan for London with an inter borough allocation is ‘vital to ensuring that all Londoners in need have a fair chance of a decent home’. Shore congratulated the GLC for providing housing ‘on a human scale’ and for being ‘in the forefront in promoting methods of consultation and participation’. The pitched roofed, low rise, consciously urban way ofdesigning Symbol of social division ‘Tower blocks’, he said, ‘and high density barrack blocks are not liked, and are not good places in which to bring children up. And then there were, and are, the community defects of this kind of vast institutionalised building. Up to the sixties, particularly in areas outside the inner city, the bulk of muni- cipal housing had been terraced or semi-detached—of a similar design to the kind of house desired by owner-occupiers. The tower block broke away from this common pattern of design, and divided people not only by tenure, but also by the style oftheirdwellings.Towerblocksbecameasymbolofsocial -_ division, and understandable discontent, and have in my view added to a sense of polarisation betwecn tenure groups.’ He enthused over ‘the move back to the basic, well tried and well loved idea of houses—where possible with gardens’. “2 ese) i TI ,1 eal : jl ne housing has reached the farthest corners of the kingdom. This ts the 'eo a ya —— Deena ef. Western Isles, designed by the J 0 | ~~ —v “Michael Heseltine's present policy (on council house sales) is enjoying only a limited Success — by the end of the present term of this government, he will be lucky to ownership against their will. have sold more than 10 per cent ofthestock.Heknowsthatthe article—thatmostcouncil next 10 per cent will be far harder to sel. On the other hand, the proposals we have made would bring about the large redistribution of wealth this country has ever seen — from the state to the individual.” So concluded a recent article in The Times, “How All Council Tenants Can Become Instant Owners", (May II 1982) by Peter Luff and John Maples. The theme of the article was simple. Most council tenants want to be owner |occupiers. Public housing is expensive and inefficient. Society isbecoming increasingly divided between those who own and those who rent. The solution could hardly be simpler; transfer the ownership of al council houses to existing tenants by converting rents into mortgage repayments. At a stroke this would satisfy widespread aspirations, Nothing new There is nothing new about this idea. A similar proposal was advanced in the mid 1970s by Frank Field, former director of the Child Poverty Action Group and now a Labour MP, and then in 1978 by Peter Walker, former Conservative Environment Secretary Unfortunately the latest authors seem to have learnt little from the extensive debate which accompanied the earlier Suggestions. tenants would rather be owners — acomprehensive NEDO Nobody involved in housing could pretend that al is rosy with public housing. But equally those who advocate radical solutions ought to be a bit more honest about the likely implications. The truth is that the above proposals would have dwellings with very low very serious social and economic repercussions, potential market values would be permanently trapped in poor repercussions which scem to have been totally ignored by their architects. First, there is the effect of coercing tenants into home Contrary to the assertion in the survey of tenure preference in 1975 found that 55 per cent of council tenants preferred council renting. The National Dwelling and Housing Survey in 1978 found that 74 per cent of council tenants were very satisfied or satisfied with their accommodation, Not expensive Secondly, there is the impact on public expenditure. In fact, the provision of council housing is not ‘enormously expensive’. Studies have shown that the real rate of return on investment in council housing has averaged 2¥4 per cent in the last decade While this is slightly lower than comparable rates of return on industrial and commercial investment, the social benefits of housing would lead one to expect alower than market rate of return, In addition, under existing financial arrangements, Owner Occupation costs more in public subsidy than public renting. It is also not the case that public housing ‘results in poor use of the housing stock’ as claimed. The average vacancy rate is no higher in the public than the private sector, the household-dwelling fit is much closer in the public than the private sector while under- occupation is much higher among Owner occupiers. The impact on the distribution of wealth could be much more complex than the authors suggest. Local authority dwelling market values are lower, on average, than owner occupied dwellings. Tenants in difficult to let and unpopular properties. especially those on low incomes. Mobility would thereby be discouraged for whole sections of the community. Private tenants would not benefit at al. If the authors are really committed to a more equal wealth distribution, more effective polices are available. Their proposal would be both capricious and inequitable. There is also the impact on the one and a quarter million households on waiting lists. Access to decent housing for these would be removed at a stroke. Indeed, the proposal would end the prospect of reasonable housing at reasonable cost for the large number of poorly housed, homeless and newly formed households unable to make their way in the private sector. The ‘right to buy’ is proving more successful than the Government —at least in its own terms — originally expected. In the 15 months since its introduction in October 1981, no less than 422,900 tenants had applied to buy, some seven per cent of al local authority tenants. Actual sales have risen beyond initial estimates, reaching an expected 134,000 in 1981/82 and a forecast 165,000 in 1982/83. A recent thorough and up to date review" of both the effect of sales and the future of public housing are hardly supportive of Government assumptions. The book forecasts a bleak future for public housing on current policies and trends with sales creaming off the best of the state and local authorities being left with the most unpopular dwellings; with subsidies continuing to fall and new building confirmed to special needs; and with increasing maintenance problems as the stock continues to age. Equally, Luff and Maples’ proposal will not put an end to “a two national country divided between those who own and those who do not’, as they claim It would simply recreate the same divide within one tenure that exists between sectors at the moment and which is being exacerbated by sales. The only real prospect of reversing current trends towards a society Segregated by tenure and class is to remove the artificial advantages — financial, social and legal — afforded to owner occupiers by successive governments. Stewart Lansley Vohn English, Ed. The Future of Public Housing, Croom Helm, 1982. PSLG July/August 1982 1) 51 CUSIB (Amw) Housing AJ7July1982 ee eeeee = ‘ CONVERT RENTS TO MORTGAGES? CPEEY CUSEB (Amw) (1976 revised) (Amw) 16 PSLG July/August 1982 yworpremper 1982 HUMEOTyewsween atOxford Polytechn: chelsea=<Qama> Circle 9 on Reader Inquiry Card vpair-was shown on television, there were 51 : 74 CUSiB (Amy) : 5 Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life that some power take offs are more reliable than others. But ifthe PTO that supplies power to your specialist machinery lets you down, the rest of your machin- P a units are the most reliableonthemarket | isquite simple. Only Chelsea PTO’s have afacility which as Chelsea power take offs. And that’s our exceptionally = Telex: 335665. fast delivery service. So ifyou’d like full technical literature, contact Spicer Power Products at Spicer Power Products Division, | Racecourse Rd, Wolverhampton WV6 ONE. Tel: 0902 773814. \ ery will be useless. And with some applic- ations, you can’t afford to take that chance. So if your application demands a high level of reliability and performance, there’s only one owertakeoffthatyoushouldever puton. They’re called Chelsea power take offs and they’re manufac- tured by Spicer Power Products Division. And the reason why our | allows you access to check backlash and accurate fitting. Which means that ifyou don’t s ecify our PTO’s, you won't be able to check a hothe® your | vehicles are suffering from prematurely worn gears, and they could break down with- out warning. Thankfully however, there’s @ still one thing that’s as reliable CI/SfB (Amw) (1976 revised) (Amw) — multi-disciplinary approach )in building, is to close. [thas years ago to promote a area in the next year. On the question of anew body to take over the work, Mr Jefferson said, “We're putting quite a lot of resources into our |institutions that it would have liked. STANLEY FLOATS BUILDING REGS RELAXATION provide the right type of land as their predecessors in the Labour government.” Mr Moody went on in his speech to forecast that the increasing cost of land would force many small builders out of the industry because of the large amounts of money that had to be tied up in expensive land There isachance that a similar unit of some sort will survive, though probably not in report from the continuing professional development working group which recommended a yoluntary system of education, backed by incentives. The York Centre was: The Government iscurrently )York. The York Centre |Advisory Committee will discuss the setting up of another body, possibly in London, at its meeting in November. This toowilldependoninstitutional to have played a major role in the guidance and co-ordination of the RIBA approach, a job which may now fal to the RIBA. investigating “without commitment” the possibility of relaxing some of the rules governing health and safety requirementsinnewhousing,in purchases. YORK CENTRE TheYorkCentre,setupfive educationasa“keypriority” made its mark, with proposals for continuing education having been taken own programme, and I'd be the up by the RICS, IOB, and last to say that there would be |finally,lastweek,theRIBA, anythingtospareforoutside ~wa who also announced the closure. But ithas not had the support from the work". Compulsory education The RIBA council accepted a - support.Governmentfunding »Acompulsionincontinuing favouroftheuseofinsurance. es ASBESTOS RULES TO BE TIGHTENED Specifiers of products containing asbestos are explicitly obliged to consider its substitution by other materials * the recommendations of the final! report of the advisory | committee on asbestes, published this week. “he committeewantsastavuto! ban on new applications of blue asbestos and statutory control limits on the use ofbrown and white asbestos. There is no quantitative evidence of a risk to the general public from exposure to asbestos dustssays the report, and in worker exposure ithas not been possible to identify a threshold limit, so the committee rejected an across- the-board ban on asbestos. Instead of a “hygiene standard” which implies a level below which exposure is safe, the committee wants a control limit introduced. This gives a realistic level of airborne dust )seems unlikely. The York Centre consisted basically ofits director, Dick |Gardner, plus secretanal support. Its total expenditure |over the five years has been some £70000. Mr Gardner is currently on holiday and unavailable for comment. | That the York Centre has |survived as long as it has is |probablyduetogenerous funding from ARCUK, some |$50 000 in the last five years. |The feeling isthat ARCUK may be unwilling to fund at this level given lack of support from other bodies. The RIBA, paying an the centre last year. The objective of the York Centre, Philip Groves of the advisory committee told | Bralding this week, was to jchange the climate on continuing education. It could fairly be said to have done that, he thought. Without the York centre report last year, the adoption of continuing education at the _RIBA council last week would not have taken place. education is ruled out by the group, unless after a period of several years the voluntary scheme fails. This is recognised as a hot political issue which needs to be discussed further, the report says. Speaking at the first international conference on house warranty, Housing Minister John Stanley told 300 delegates that the Government was investigating the possibility of removing from local authorities the obligation to Cost of the enterprise would be about £19 000 a year—a modest sum to change the outlook and standing of the professions,itcomments.Inthe designofhouses,matenals next year, the outlines of the scheme will be worked up, linking up with the regions and identifying topics of interest. Full development would be in the years 1981 to 1983 by which time the climate of opinion will shave changed, the group hopes, and offices will have started training budgets, the RIBA will have produced guidelines for standards of development, and members will have begun to keep a record of involvement in courses, in office events and personal studies. The group presses for the scheme to go ahead as rapidly as possible, but with its in built dependence on the York Centre, used, and the standards of construction. The present requirements would be replaced — to a greater or lesser degree —by the use of insurance. This would probably operate on the health and safety aspects of housing in the same way that NHBC guarantees presently affect the physical fabric. France has used such a system for some time and provided the Government was satisfied that minimum standards were being set and met and that policies for the conservation of energy were being followed, Mr Stanley saw regulate housing standards through the use of minimum requirements governing the CASH CRISIS CLOSES ry Mr t= SS Andrew Tait, NHBC director, opening the first International Home Warranty Conference, London, on Monday index-linked grant, gave £650 to Building 26 October 1979 E rT ll The York Centre has discharged its role, RIBA |president Bryan Jefferson the RIBA programme may need | no reason why a similar system | above which no person should claimed this week. This had |been to map out the work tobe | Centre at its next education some revision. ARCUK wil consider its should not be employed inthis | be occupationally exposed. country. This recommendation has position in relation to the York HBF president Don Moody _| been welcomed by theAsbestos done and to arouse interest. It | committee meeting in |Was essential that the RIBA now] November, but has not yet been| problem caused by land Government is aware of the picks up on the work, he said, ; asked whether itis prepared to | shortage “they do not seem at |and it would be taking continuing | support any new initiative. present any more willing to AUS Serrember- 1962 ae S _ SpainWasCheaatanhaeineae aS ‘ , there were atOxford Polytechnic. 74 pe ‘ ‘ _ OT Ree CIUSEB (Amw) (1976 revi )(Amw) renee NUEEF TIE a CI/SEB (Amw) complained that although the Cement Manufacturers : Assdctation, which says that it wil provide additional reassurance to building workers handling asbestos cers 2r.. AJ 8 September 1982 TorWnurDErUy — atOxford Polytechnic | CUSSS (Amw) City Centre Edge Hill Wavertree In place of riots The venue isachurch inToxteth,Liverpool 8, Wednesday 14 July 1982 ar 20,30. One Section of the church has been cleared of pews, and grouped around trestle-tables covered with house floor plans are over 70 men and women of all ages. Reflecting the area’s 35 per cent unemployment level, many of them are unemployed, the remain- der mostly in low paid manual and service jobs. All of them are currently living in some of Europe’s worst housing—crumbling six- storey municipal tenements, often without hot water. This is the Mill Street Co-operative and its members have met in the hall two or three nights a week for over three months, designing their 54 new ‘dream houses’ with architect Martyn Carmichael Associates. Even when the World Cup match between England and Spain was shown on television, there were Coppin of Brock or Public Sector SomethingincrediblehashappenedinLiverpool—arguablythemost important step forward in British housing for decades. Without anyone in the rest of the country really noticing, an era spanning 60 years of paternalistic quietly come to an end. In itsplace funded housing has taken over in which the users are firmly in the driving seat. Nick Wates reports. COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE THE LIVERPOOL BREAKTHROUGH | There have been endless research Studies and experiments. Occasionally, as at Byker in Newcastle for instance, architects for new schemes have worked closely with the tenants, but they have always remained accountable to the localauthority. Housing Phase 2 Liverpool City Council no longer uses its own architect’s department to build, on Spec, new public housing for rent—apart from a small amount for special needs. Instead it funds the people who need new housing to Organise the design, construction and management of it themselves through self- generating, self-reliant co-operatives. Liverpool’s first new-build co-operative scheme of 61 homes was funded by the Housing Corporation and is now two-thirds occupied. Nine more, involving 341 families, have been approved and are at various stages ofdesign and construction, and several more are in the pipe-line. All but one are being funded by the city council, /. It works like this. Local authority tenants living in slum clearance areas or deterior- ating tenements organise themselves into groups—so far ranging from 19 to 61family units—and obtain the Management services of one of Liverpool’s co-operative develop- ment agencies: Co-operative Development Services (CDS), Merseyside Improved Houses or Neighbourhood Housing Ser- vices. With its assistance they register as a ‘non-¢quity’ housing Co-operative with limited liability, locate a suitable site and negotiate to buy it. (So far nearly al the land has come from Liverpool City Council or the Merseyside Development Corporation.) They then select a firm of architects with whom they design a scheme which is submitted to a funding body. The scheme is then submitted to the DOE for Subsidy and yardstick approval as on al localauthority funded housing association schemes, When the houses are built, the co-op members become tenants of their homes, paying standard fair rents, but they are also collectively the landlord, responsible for management and maintenance. The full significance of events inLiverpool has not yet been Brasped nationally. The need for participation by tenants in public housing has been talked about foryears. 1 The spread of new-build Co-ops in south Liverpool, Solid dots show sites of those already approved, open circles indicate where co-op members are moving from—invariabl yclose by. Merseyside Development Corporation’s area 18 Shown hatched, with the International Garden Festival site in tint in the south. Co-ops inorder offormation: 1 Weller Streets, 61 units, nearly complete 2 Hesketh Street, 40 UNILS, ON Site 3 Prince Albert Ga rdens, 19 units, on site 4 Dingle Residents, 32 UNITS, on site 5 Grafton Crescent, 30 units, On site soon 6Southern Crescent, 40 1s, design Stage 7Mill Street, 54 units, design stage 8 Shorefields, 46 units, design stage. Two other schemes (Leta Claudia and Thirlmere) not shown on the map are on site in north Liverpool. public housing provision has a new way of building publicly CI/SfB (Amw) (1976 revised) (Amw) But the Liverpool new-build co-ops are totally different. The tenants are not being asked to participate or be involved—they are actually and firmly in control: they choose the professionals they want to work for them, they choose the site, the layout, the floor plans, the elevations, the brick colour and the landscaping—albeit within the normal yardstick restrictions—and, when built, they manage and maintain the estate. The implication of all this for architects and other professionals is immense. Only a handful of firms are involved in the work so far but already they have developed a unique new style of working. Instead of being accountable to council committees or housing association managers, they are accountable to the consumers who are making very different demands on their talents. The architect’s vision, technical expertise and design skill are as important as ever, but, in addition, a new range of knowledge and skills has to be learned. no absentees from the co-op meeting Tonight they are finalising details of their floor plans. Some people are opting for a combined kitchen/diner, others a combined living room/diner, while some want three separate rooms. Coppin moves from table to table, pointing out problems and suggesting ideas on cach person’s layout: “If you want a carpet in your dining room, the last thing you want is french windows into the garden as that’s your only access.” ‘Why not switch the sink round so that you can reach the drainer better?’ You'll get more space in the living room if you turn the staircase round the other way.” Mostly his advice is heeded, occasionally ignored—it’s up to the future occupant to decide—unless the co-op as a_ whole considers the chosen design so bad as to seriously jeopardise future lettability. In the end, the Mill Street Co-op opts for six basic house types with 16 variations Design mectings have become a regular feature of Liverpool 8 nightlife. The previous evening, a few streets away, 10 members of the design committee of the Shorefields Co-op were deciding on brick colour and elevations for their 46 new homes with three architects from Innes Wilkin, Ainsley, Gommon. Daye Ainsley displayed coloured Pantone drawings with a range of They're not houses for people. 1 think the options, 7. After discussion, one banded council housing thing is going to dic out and brickwork solution was rejected because it more houses are going to be built like we're 2 Fohn surveys the site of the co-op’s 46 new homes from afifthfloor access balcony ofdoomed tenements in Liverpool8 where most of the co-op members now live. They wilbe the first new homes built on land controlled by the Merseyside Development Corporation. The site for the International Garden Festival ts in the distance 3 The last days of back to back terraces around Weller Street where 61 families formed Liverpool’s first new-build co-op. Their new homes, mostly complete, are les than half a kilometre away. looked too ‘Noddy-like’. Another suggestion was ruled out because it was too ‘Corpyish’, that is, too much like Liverpool City Council housing The first thing that most co-ops tell their the major spur for the housing co-ops, and few cities better demonstrate the tragic and like those built by the council. ‘Council costly failure of Britain’s public housing. housing is the worst housing ever,’ said Despite having a ‘gross surplus’, almost one- architects is that their homes must not look atOxford Polytechinix 74 CUSIB (Amw) John doing it. It’s more personal—each one personally designed—and it doesn’t cost any more.’ Reaction to ‘Corpy’ housing has indeed been Bailey, chairman of Shorefield Co-op, 34-year-old Bailey, chairman of the Shorefield Co-op ‘Ivs boring, pathetic, inhuman—like someone went into the architect's department and said, “I want 400 houses—get the drawings in by half-three.”” unemployed bricklayer ee AJ 8 September 1982 AJ 7 July 1982 | { 0were ageriene Sr Co-op leaders put the council’s failures down to the fact that tenants w not involved in design and, as a result, the council did not build what people wanted. Furthermore, tightly knit communities were broken up in the rehousing process, causing widespread alienation, which, coupled with irresponsive management and maintenance, led to uncontrollable var m and violence They are convinced that their new homes will not suffer the same fate. For a start, al the co-ops are building on sites close to their old homes (se map and picture) and, by movir masse, the intricate web of family and kir ship ties and local associations will not broken In addition, their involvement in the design and construction process will give them a pride in their homes which no council tenant ever has ‘Once you've designed it yourself you're going to look after it,’ stated one co-op member. ‘You’re not just going into somewhere they’ve built for you. Council estates deteriorate, but ours aren't going to be like that. They’re going to be the best.” In a letter to a local councillor, the chairman of one co-op wrote: ‘Apart from the ambition which comes from the very fact that we are doing something for ourselves there are also prevalent feelings ofbeing part of, taking part in, belonging to and being. It is a very healthy attitude that is positive and contagious.” The community architects Four Liverpool architectural practices are currently working with co-ops Brock Carmichael Associates (two schemes); Innes Wilkin, Ainsley, Gommon (three schemes); McDonnell Hughes (one scheme); and Wilkinson, Hindle and Partners (three schemes). They range from small to medium-sized practices, engaged in a variety AJ]8September 1982 brick colours with architect Dave Ainsley at an architect Mike Padmore to help them choose landscaping for 6] UNITS OF FAMILY HOUSING FOR WELLER STREETS HOUSING COOPERATIVE LTD MINERAL CONTRACTOR WM TOMKINSON& SONS LTD. ; i cheSupparrcommemtryarcemexeurewey CommunityDevelopmentProject(CDP)privateinitiat ee ba. fora numberofyearsattheAands at Oxford Polytechnic okihete CUSIB (Amw) : re 4Some of the Weller Streets Co-op members ture to celebrate the beginning of work on site, August 1980. 5 The Thirlmere Co-op is addressed by 1s secretary, Mrs Martin, in the local church hall where itholds al itsmeetings 6Architect David Wilkinson discusses site with mem 1Co-op Shorefield Co-op’s design committee chooses rT scheme. ae grecimenre ny ryury198zZ = t that are having their top floors cut off to form single-storey houses at a cost of £20 million. Only last month the council agreed THE LIVERPOOL BREAKTHROUGH \ ‘ evening meeting. ler Streets Co-op members visit the Ness university botanical gardens with landscape third of the city’s housing stock of 75 000 units is now classified as ‘hard to let’, including much built since the war. Some 6000 homes are empty because no one will live in them. Much is scheduled for demolition, some is undergoing desperate last ditch surgery, like the ’50s walk-up flats pose for a pict to demolish some *50s low rise housing wernerere 54 "for anum! atOxford Polytechnic —-7-+ _ 74 CISEB (Amw) AJ7 July 1982 ray Grafton Street Cis 20m 19 z ; of work throughout the Liverpool area. In services all but two of those currently in existence. In a special pamphlet for co-ops called Choosing an architect, CDS describes the architect’s appointment as ‘one of the most important decisions that the co-op will take.... The architect is the co-op’s employee, agent, teacher, adviser, designer, negotiator.’ It also stresses that ‘the co-op and its architect will work together very closely for up to three years and the human or personality angle will be very important.” CDS provides co-ops with a list of firms it considers competent from which to short- list, although co-ops can of course add to the list if they choose. The pamphlet lists questions which might be asked at the interview, for instance: “What was the worst mistake you ever made as an architect?” While advising on procedure, CDS plays no part in final selection: this is up to the co- ops. The chairman of one co-op described the judging criteria as: Community Development Project (CDP) private initiatives have been more errective” by architects working with co-ops. 10 Grafton (Brock Ca rmichael). A central pedestrian spine and minimum car penetration provides an easily defensible core for the close- knit community. 11 Shorefields (Innes Wilkin, Ainsley, Gommon). Rejecting anything remotely addition, Merseyside Improved Houses 1s doing one scheme in-house. Invariably the architects actually doing the work are in their twenties or thirties. The starting point for architects is being interviewed by the co-ops, & process conducted with remarkable rigour. The co- ops usually insist on visiting previous examples of the architect's work, followed by an interview. One co-op interviewed no less than eight architects and made its choice by secret ballot using a non-transferable vote system. Co-ops are advised by their co-op agency on how to select an architect. The most active agency so far has been CDS, a non-profit- making registered housing association with a stock of 900 houses in the area controlled by avoluntary management committee elected from tenants and co-ops buying its services. CDS has played a pioneering role in getting the new-build co-op movement rolling, and 9 Ground floor plans for the Shorefield Co-op. Of 20 alternatives drawn up by Innes Wilkin, Ainsley, Gommon, the co-op chose the topfour shown. The bottom one was evolved with three families who wanted separate dining rooms overlooking the rear garden. A wide variety of site layouts has been evolved ‘| The people must be the ones who tell the architects what should bebuilt. 2 The architects’ involvement with the co-op must be total. 3The architects should act as advisers and scribes. (Tell us what is and isn’t possible and suggest alternatives.)’ Communicating and learning Selection over, the first task is educa- tional—for the architects to discover the needs and aspirations of the co-op (both individually and collectively), and for the co- op members to learn about architecture and the building process. ‘It’s like teaching the first three years of an architecture course to 70 people in 6 weeks,’ said architect Bill Halsall, partner in Wilkinson, Hindle and Dartners, ‘but it’s a mutual process. It is possibly more important for the architect to be able to listen and learn, and in the process unlearn previous professional preconcep- tions.” AJ 8 September 1982 Fol'years atihe AA and wscurrently afacarch musent 74 ‘Corpyish’, the co-op opted for semi-detached houses in spec-style arcadian layout, a solution made possible by a virgin unrestricted site. 12 Weller Streets (Wilkinson, Hindle). A courtyard scheme with six houses per court. 13 Leta Claudia (Wilkinson, Hindle). The solution for this long narrow site was evolved using a flexible model. Unlike other co-ops, old people wanted to be separate from families and their bungalows are grouped at the top right round a communal room/co-op office. 14Elevations for Grafton reflect a desire for a change, something different from normal council schemes. make design decisions’. All the architects have used models of various kinds, but in the end found that drawings are the most effective design tool which, perhaps surprisingly, people soon find easy to use and understand. ‘At first we couldn’t understand drawings,’ said Francis Mogan, secretary of Mill Street Co-op, ‘but once Martyn (the architect) had sat down and drawn little people and furniture on them, people soon got the hang of it.’ The architects have similarly found that people soon grasp the complexities of government yardsticks, Building Regu- lations and space standards, so that, as one put it, ‘cost yardstick densities are bandied around as easily as the latest supermarket prices’. Through developing a close working rela- tionship, professional barriers are broken down. ‘Professional people are no longer faceless. We’ve broken down the language barrier and learned how to handle the professional mystique,’ said one co-op chairman. Another said: ‘Professional people usually think they're better, superior. We didn’t know what they were about at first; now we know they’re people who can be very useful.” ‘The co-ops have an enormous loyalty to their architects, vying with each other as to whose is best,’ said CDS development officer Paul Lusk. ‘People talk about “our” architect, which isincredible when you think how architects were thought of a few years ago.” Each co-op has different priorities and these are reflected in the design solutions they evolve with their architects. The layouts of the schemes on the drawing board, for instance, vary considerably, Some have gone for semis, some for a more urban streetscape with small courts and alley ways. One scheme has old people in three single-storey houses, while another has integrated the old people in special flats which are deliberately indistinguishable from adjacent housing. The co-ops also vary in the extent to which they encourage individual eccentricities. Some have restricted themselves to a limited range of house types; in others almost every house is different. Same fee—harder work Inevitably working this way involves The practices vary in their relationships with local hall but regularly visit the architects’ architects in a great deal more work than deal with internal layouts and finishes. Most co-ops set up a design base in a convenient Wilkin, are ‘the most effective way of choices. To avoid this they see competition allowing people without design skills to between architects in getting the work as 55 AJ 8 September 1982 offices. they would have devoted to an equivalent ‘An early breakthrough was to sit around a amount of public housing in the past—an table—instead of round a room,’ claimed estimated 7hr per week over two years, Halsall. ‘It was psychological—developing a according to one architect. Yet, although it is the co-ops and are developing and refining new techniques all the time. A common early ploy is to give everyone a tape measure. “The most useful phase ever was when people measured the furniture in their own homes, cut it out in cardboard and fitted it on plans,’ said Coppin. ‘They were getting physically involved and it was the most useful device for getting past the threshold of people just thinking they were getting a new home.’ Architect Mike McDonnell visited al his co- A variety of techniques have been used to op members in their own houses. “It was familiarise people with the design process old rope, designing council housing,” workman-like attitude—and helped develop too early for those involved to have made a the idea ofprofessionals and co-op members working together on an equal basis rather than the architect lecturing. The first architectural discussion is how you organise yourself in the room.’ final calculation, at 6 per cent of contract price the work is stil thought to be profitable. CDS believes that this merely demonstrates that for 60 years architects of public housing have simply not been doing their work thoroughly. ‘It’s been money for and make them aware of the options and claimed Lusk. ‘Architects didn’t put invaluable. It gaye me a tremendous insight into what people were like and really helped with discussions.” Some co-ops have opted for having a design committee which liaises with the architect, work were shown using slides or an epi- CDS’s main concern now is that architects others have involved everyone al the time. diascope. Coach trips to see other examples should not try to save time by bull-dozing One co-op set up an ‘outside’ committee to of housing and landscape are extremely through their own ideas instead of deal with layout and an ‘inside’ committee to popular and, according to Dave Innes presenting co-ops with a wide range of choices open to them. Kids haye made models at school and taken part in painting competitions of houses. Examples of other anything in apart from reading design guides on what people were thought to want and producing standardisedplans.” CUS (Amv) AJ 7July 1982 ay jury T9sZ THE LIVERPOOL BREAKTHROUGH foughtintoSaltiey,Birmingnam,vyureeevee:VS——— Z~ Cane Project (CDP) private initiatives have been more effective the Support community architecture group in London. He taught for a number of years at the AA and is currently a research stedent atOxford Polytechnic Community Development overtime rates dedicated difficulty 1s An additional absurd financial that architects are not guaranteed any fecs at all until the site 1s purchased, by which ume a substantial amount of work has already been done. Some firms have had to work for up to two years Wjthout receiving any income and with the prospect that if the project fell through they w ould never receive any involved in the Despite this, all the architects work are finding 1t extremely stimulating ‘Working with a co-op presents the architect with an opportunity to open design precon- ceptions to criticism from which to learn,’ wrote Danielle Pacaud of Innes Wilkin, Ainsley, Gommon. ~There are obvious gains gers having first st the stirring of concludes Work enjoyable. Itisthemostrewarding discovered homes hav: designer under CUSIB (Amw) AJ7 July 1982 the architect’s imagination from the rman mee a neighbourhood and build new homes designed to their own specifications to be owned, controlled, managed and maintained by themselves 1s 4 remarkable one for which there is not space here. Now, though, the battles are over and most of the co-op members are settling down in their new homes and proudly showing visitors around, casually pointing out snagging details which would normally only be spotted by 2 trained building surveyor and monitoring the final construction process ‘What's going to happen behind this wall here, Bill (the architect)? If we don’t fil it with earth it’s going to become a rubbish trap.’ Bill agrees, and a solution 1s quickly 15 Members of the Thirlmere Co-op discuss the site layout for their 40 new homes on site with architects from Merseyside Improved Houses 16 Weller Streets Co-op ‘dig-in’, August 1980. Everyone in the co-op joined in to clear the site. Four lorryloads of cobble-stones were gathered and used later for landscaping. The event was also a good morale booster ata slack time between design and construction. essential. An architect who skimped would never get another job, at least in Liverpool On the other hand, the anti-social hours that architects have to work can create stresses within practices (and marriages), and the amount of extra work required would not be possible for practices paying normal Architects have to be in users rather than man ect, not mines local authority housing, as well as from the overriding emphasis on cost In eloper housing. On reflection, the co- ive works so well that to return to other systems of housing production would seem for us a step backw ards into contradictions whose resolution has been the first new-build co-op scheme is already three-quarters built and provides grounds for hope. This is the Weller Streets Co-op which is also important because it 1S having a vital call on an arc the imagination of the pressure tO consider primarily trying to live in his or her buildings rather than trying to organise the smooth management of them.” A report by Innes Wilkin, Ainsley, Gommon with co-ops is proving very experience in housing design that we have had as a practice Or as individuals. It releases stereotype of t building user conceived from a housing manager's point of view that agreed before we move on The scheme comprises 10 courts with six houses around each ‘We wanted itsmall and intimate,’ said one co-Op member. The courts were designed as the key to estate management, with decision making devolved to each court as much as possible They are seen as communal rather than public open spaces, where toddlers can play freely, although they are linked by a network of paths and the public are free to wander through. However, care was taken in the planning to ensure that they won't be used as short cuts, 12. Significantly the co-op had to fight hard for the courtyard layout because the city owsoe Paving the way Whether the universal optimism by tenants ind professionals involved is well founded will not be finally proved until the new din for some years. But ‘demonstration effect’ in stimulating the growth of Liv erpool’s other Co-Ops Much of the philosophy and techniques of communal design and participation Which are now becoming Widespread in Liverpool were evolved by the Weller Streets Co-op, CDS and architects, Wilkinson, Hindle and Part- ners. ‘Weller Streets paved the way by showing that the seem y impossible could be achieved,’ said Walter Menzies, special projects manager of Merseyside Improved Houses—Liverpool’s largest housing associa- tion—which 1s now moving into new-build co-ops and already has two under its wing in its role as an enabling agency The story of how 61 families living in sordid back to back slums, galvanised by their local milkman, fought bureaucracy and political inertia to make history by getting £1-3 million of public money to buy land in their AJ 8 September 1962 AJ7 July 1982 57 AJ 8 September 1982 THE LIVERPOOL BREAKTHROUGH engineer insisted there should be 4 Jitter every day. In practice, people take a designed by its users to be maintained by its hammerhead to accommodate articulated pride in doing it,’ said the co-op chairman. users—a concept which could offer an alter- lorries turning in each one. This would have (The co-op symbolically got its own back on native to the current choice between an completely destroyed the co-op’s concept by the city engineer by insisting on calling its increasing burden of landscaping main- requiring 12 houses round each court instead new street ‘Weller Way’ despite his protesta- tenance or a featureless, bland environment of six. ‘The whole point was that we didn’t tions about the “obvious implications’ .) attempting the unachievable goal of no want articulated lorries turning in our The designissimpleand almost utilitarian, 17. maintenance.’ Residents 1n each court had courtyards,’ said a co-op member. The city The same red brick is used throughout their own ideas and preferences, so that each engineer stood firm, so the co-op decided to (‘Everyone was in favour of using different will have a very different feel. have the courts ‘unadopted’, which means It, coloured bricks, but everyone wanted redin Weller Streets’ houses are less customised rather than the council, will have to maintain them. It was a decision that no conventional housing association could possibly have taken. their own courts’). “Bay windows were than some of the co-ops’ now on the drawing thought to be a bourgeoisie irrelevance,’ said board, with only six different house types Halsall. ‘Instead they went for super out ofa total of 61 units. (Members picked insulationstandardstocutdownfuelbills.’ outofahattodecide,withineachhouse High priority was given to quality fixings to tYPS> who should have which house, but reduce future maintenance, and to security, many people have since swapped.) A major So far this has not been a problem. ‘Each courtyard has 4 cleaning rota to sweep UP 17 Liverpool’s first new build co-op scheme, Weller Streets, completed summer 1982. 18 Co-op chairman Peter Tyrrel with his family one week after moving into their home. defensible space and ease of management The scheme was designed withmanagement very much in mind and the architects have provided each house with a manual. The co- op could have taken out a management agreement with CDS but, significantly, decided last year to dispense with its services altogether. ‘We feel we've built up sufficient expertise to run it ourselves,’ said a co-op member. ‘If they hadn’t designed their own scheme, they couldn’t have managed it,’ commented Bill Halsall. Landscaping also received high priority, with co-op members visiung other land- scaping schemes (notably Runcorn) and botanic gardens with landscape architect Mike Padmore of COMTECHSA (AJ 7.7.82 p74), 8. According to Padmore, the landscaping is ‘a unique pilot scheme, exploring the possibilities of an environment cy eee ee prUEE UL CIC CHMLITY UTA yoruntary-ana —$—<$—— een currentryWTEsCSCSTUSENT at Oxford Polytechsic Community Development Project (CDP) private initiatives have been more effective 74 CUSEB (Amw) 58 AJ 8 September 1982 AJ 7July 1982 ae sayy re 74 CUSEB (Amw) New horizons Despite their achievement, the Liverpool co- ops have only just begun to explore the potential of user control. The current schemes are being conducted within an extremely tight framework of yardsticks and space standards, which leaves little room for experimentation, creativity and significant individual eccentricity. The present financial arrangements, for instance, are a deterrent to users doing any self-build, since it would just lead to a reduction in the grant. The tight restrictions and control over the form of public housing were introduced in part to protect users against architects who were working at arm’s length. With architects working directly for users, many of the restrictions could be relaxed. Regardless of whether new-build co-ops on the Liverpool model become more wide- spread, those involved think there are extensive possibilities for the lessons and techniques being developed there to be applied in other directions. There is no reason, for instance, why the close working relationship between architects and users existing in Liverpool’s co-ops could not be equally successful in other forms of tenure— for instance equity sharing or even in the private spec market. CDS might well be proved right in denying that Liyerpool’s new-build co-ops represent the end of council housing. ‘It’s the beginning of council housing,’ it says. ‘It’s public sector housing phase Day It may also signal the beginning of a new era for housing architects generally in which users, at last, become the clients. sail 7/pte x ed LPL ILO 19 One of Weller Streets’ 10 courtya rds. There are six houses in each with those for the elderly indistinguishable from the rest. t. ‘ Ao Oe monyhallecys elvideeefiat am Soerent caagaglReSom the rehab co-ops and, having proved themselves, new-build was a_ logical development. Liverpool’s housing policy has three com- ponents, according to chairman of housing, Chris Davies: stopping decay through a massive programme of housing action areas in strict order of need anyway, involving tenants effectively in design requires, by definition, preselection of tenants. This has always been the main stumbling block in the past in this country (although other coun- tries like the Netherlands have been doing it for years (AJ 30.8.78 p374)) because Labour and other politicians fear that they cannot predict who will be in priority need suffi- ciently far in advance. Co-op members, they say, are jumping the waiting list. Liverpool has clearly decided that any injustice in preselection—and indeed acertain amount of self-selection—is far outweighed by the benefits of self-determination and involvement. Tt is significant that many Labour coun- cillors in Liverpool who were formerly opposed to co-ops are now starting to show more enthusiasm, and the council is attempting to allay some criticism by incorporating co-ops in a more compre hensive housing programme. One scheme with Merseyside Improved Houses now on the drawing board will entail offering everyone in a tenement clearance area the choice ofeither forming anew-build co-op or being transferred to municipal accommoda- tion or moving into rehab property. ‘It’s a model of how local authorities should deal with housing,’ said Menzies. row blew up when one member wanted a containing 30 000 properties; cheap green bath, and in the end it was decided that everyone should have white. This reflects partly the co-op’s particularly strong egalitarian principles which are mile of the sites); and new-build for rent evident throughout the scheme, and partly the fact that it was the first and already had enough on its plate. ‘The whole thing was touch and go,’ remarked a co-op member. ‘We only managed to sign the contract two months before the Government’s housing moratorium. We could have fallen by a green bath.’ through housing co-ops and housing associations. The most important breakthrough isthat it is now official council policy that tenants shall be involved in the design of their new rented houses. The council only supports housing associations on that basis. ‘It is the way forward for the public sector,’ said Davies. ‘We've got to have people involved in order to strengthen the community base and to give people more responsibility, self- control and self-respect.” developer housing for sale (2000 have been built, mostly by Barratt’s and Wimpey’s, and most of it sold to people who lived within 1 As the good news ripples through the city, new co-ops are forming faster than the professional services can cope. ‘The trouble now is controlling the co-ops,’ said Davies. ‘We haven’t got money for endless new- build co-ops.” He is in the process ofturning one down and delaying another. Whether Liverpool’s lead will be followed is difficult to determine. Charles Barnes, a DOE principal architect in the North-West, who has dealt with the Liverpool co-ops, is personally enthusiastic about them. But he stressed the importance of local authority support: ‘The local authorities are the key link in al this. They’re providing the funds. This department can’t do anything unless the co-ops have the backing of the local authority.” Inevitably there are stil many unanswered questions, Will the co-ops stand the test of time? Will they manage to maintain the current enthusiasm and involvement to handle maintenance and management effec- tively? What will happen when people start to leave, and others, who were not involved in the design process, take their place? If the public sector were to rely completely on co- ops for al new-build, will some people be left out? The last point is the nub of Labour council’s reluctance to be more positive about co-ops (or any kind of tenant involvement in design)—it does not secure rehousing in strict order of need. Leaving aside the question of whether current waiting list procedure houses people .Pe * ks * ee Tenants’ control for real In the long term the importance of Weller Streets’ scheme is that it happened at all. It has demonstrated beyond doubt that tenants’ control over the process of design and construction of their homes is possible, even efficient. Catherine Meredith, director of CDS, points out that despite delays due to being a pioneer, Weller Streets was the ‘fastest housing association new-build scheme on Merseyside, from land registra- tion to start on site. So much for the argument that participation slows the process down too much.” As a result of Weller Streets’ success, tenants’ contro] is becoming a reality in Liverpool. That the co-ops emerged there is due to a unique combination of local determination, patient hard work over the last decade by a wide range of radical professional enablers, and oscillating party political control of the city council, which culminated in full backing by the ruling Liberal Party, with, significantly, active support from the Tories. Since 1970 rehab housing co-ops have been making their mark in Liverpool, with some two dozen co-ops now having rehabilitated over 1000 properties (AJ 29.6.77 p1215). The co-operative servicing agencies (secon- dary co-ops) and many of the architects now doing the new-build work cut their teeth on PHOTOGRAPHS: CDS 4,16;MIH 5,6,15; COMTECHSA 8;NICK WATES 2,7,18;JOHN MILLS PHOTOGRAPHY 5,17,19. — 74 wt | 1 ‘The failure of many attempts over the last three decades to tackle the problem of inner city decline successfully 1sstriking. Theproportion of national resources devoted to resolving the problem isclearly an important consideration, but it is noricea ble that large sums have been spent to little apparent effect.” (Lord Scarman) for a number of years at the AA and is¢ urremily ® research student at Oxford Polytechsic HERE ILLTHE Architects as fund raisers Many of the so-called community architects work in inner city area with voluntary involved: for instance, Shankland Cox on the groups. These groups have made use of Inner Area Studies, although this involved *Tom Woolley is an architect with experience ranging from community work oa 3Glasgow housing estate 10 practisingwith the Suppor¢ unity architecture group in Londen He twught minimal contact with community groups (AJ 19.1.77 p140), and Rod Hackney, who was brought into Saltley, Birmingham, by the Community Development Project (CDP) ‘urban programme! finance to rehabilitate there (AJ 5.10.77 pp630-636). buildings or even construct new ones. But there have been some encouraging deve- To obtain approval for grant aid, project lopments recently with the establishment by initiators have to demonstrate the feasibility the voluntary sector of some technical aid and likely cost of any building work. For centres. In _ Liverpool there are some time many sympathetic local architects COMTECHSA and the Community Pro- and other professionals have provided this jects Advisory Service, and in Manchester information—usually without payment. The the Community Technical Aid Centre. In early discussions about community architec- Glasgow ASSIST (AJ 10.11.76 pp899-908) ture, for instance In the RIBA Community Architecture Working Group (CAWG) report (AJ 39.11.78 p1023), were verymuch has been offering aid on an informal basis and there are plans for an aid centre in the city. In Newcastle the Architecture Work- concerned about the extent of such shop is increasingly taking on this role. In ‘speculative work’, Some private practices London Support and NUBS (Neighbour- even found that once the project was hood Use and Building Services) exist and approved, local authority architects would plans are well advanced for an organisation attempt to take over and their speculative called CLAWS (Community Land and investment would be wasted. Workspace Services). However, there is stil Experience has shown that community a yawning gap be filled between the architects should know a lot about fund demand and readily available professional raisingsothattheycanassisttheirclientsto advice. obtain the finance for the project as well as their own fees. Over the years it has not been easy for com- munity groups t0 find sympathetic profes- sionals who understand these problems. With the exception of SNAP (the Shelter Neighbourhood Action Project, AJ 3.1.73 pp249-250) in 1969, there have been few organised interventions to provide technical aid to community groups: This is surprising when one looks at the extensive serics of measures aimed at dealing with the inner city’s ‘pockets of deprivation’ or releasing ‘community initiatives’ to tackle social problems, 2. Some private practices did get edoibaCoedol ARD—REPORT ? fs ANDREW WI! 4, Tom Woolley* looks at the crucial issue of community architecture funding in the contextof government strategies to tackle inner city problems of urban deprivation and unemployment. He talks to Tom King,Minister forLocal Government and Environmental Services, about the role of the new Urban Initiatives Fund and examines some of the issues and problems in financing the voluntary sector. The announcement of the Government's £100 000 Urban Initiatives Fund (UIF) is important because it provides additional funding (albeit a small amount) for com- munity projects. It also indicates 4 change of emphasis in its recognition of the contribu- tion of voluntary groups in tackling inner city problems and of the importance of providing professional advice to those groups engaged incapital (building)projects. There is some debate within the profession about whether this new government finance should go to agencies such as community technical aid centres or tOprivate practice. Concern has also been expressed by some (for example, P. Lambert’s letter in AJ 16.6.82 p35) that much of the UIF money might be snapped up by the RIBA to finance its administrative work promoting com: munity architecture rather than going directly to projects. CUSSB (Am) private initiatives have been more effective AJ7July1982 Increasing emphasis on the voluntary sector The interview with Tom King shows that the provision of government funding for government technical support to voluntary initiatives marks 4 significant recent shift in policy emphasis. Despite 14 years of inner city schemes, poverty, unemployment, de- caying environments and social conflict remain. They were brought sharply into focus by the 1981 riots. The Conservative Government, committed to cutting public expenditure, has actually increased its budget for the inner city as 4 result; the traditional urban programme allocation for 1982-83 1s £24-6 million compared with £16-5 million in 1981-82. An increasing share of this money 1s likely to go to the voluntary sector, which is some recognition of the claim that voluntary and \ Carol Bucknell News and Features hs NOQUIR READERS’ ENQUIFha Fach feacur | CISyB The AJ15ave Please appl ; ntlybeen Alison Gauldie BA Buildings BUILDINGS EDI TOR DipUD, RegArch i ISSN 003-3466 Elwyn Jones CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMEN T MANAGER David Thorne SALESOFFICE MANAGER Brian Storey PRODUCTION MANAGER Willie Evans ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Malcolm Todd AJ7 July 1982 FEATURE SEDITOR dD, wickshank BA NEWS EDITOR Charlorte Bilis DipArch, RegArch ASSISTANT NEWS EDI OR Belinda Ward BA Patrick Haxway Dip ASSISTANT BU Buchanan BArce Lynne Jackson INGS EDITORS ArchitecturalPracticeResearchand Advertising ADVERTISEMEN Roger Beil LONDON AND SOUTHERN AREA MANAGERS T MANAGER Phillip Capstick Malcom Hasniten Barry Law Rickard Maguire BA MIDLANDS AND W ALES MANAGER Ronald Baker NORTHERN AND 5 OTLAND MANAGER Circulation CIRCULATION Eamonn Vincent MANAGER COVER: British architecture for export (see p23). Illustration | based on Moroccan tiledesign Limelite Finishing Specially formulated for use over Limelite Plasters. It is porous, assists rapid drying out of walls- permitting early decoration. | PLASTER | | APRODUCTOF —_— ata Tilcon Limited SPECIAL PRODUCTS DIVISION Limelite Lightweight Plasters— Sales Office |74 COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE: Where will the money | come from? Tom Woolley discusses the funding of community architecture in the inner city, and interviews local government | minister Tom King about the UIF and the voluntary sector NEWS SECRE TARY Limelite Renovating Controls dampness passing through plastered walls and is also suitable where new damp- proof courses OF systems have been installed. | | 79. ASTRAGAL Vauxhall Cross double; Classicism revived in Shepherds Bush, Winchester and CoventGarden 81 LETTERS: Double takes of people and pictures; Jolly Jencks; Popular views of community architecture |86 HELLMAN ANDDIARY | | 83 REPORT: LDDC planners put to the test; Commons favour Vauxhall Cross SDO; Lubetkin’s Gold; Bristol’s fate reconsidered THE ARCHITEC TS’ JOURNAL | 7JULY 1982 Editorial Consultant DACA, Bayne© BE, Hon FRIBA | SECRETARY TO THE EDITORIAL CONSULTANT NUMBER 27 VOLUME 176 Please use the yellow AJ Reader’s Enquiry Card atthe backofthis journal when seeking information about products of trade literature advertised or reviewed in this issue It helps both the manufacturer and the AJ to know the original source of the enquiry Editor LeiteReiremsten é E Information Library TECHNICAL EDI TOR MA, MA(Arch), RIBA TIVE TECHNIC ‘AL EDITOR 1sMSc NT TECHNICAL EDITORS Anthony Ferguson MSc BArch, RIAS Graham Parsey ASSIST TYPRODUCTS EDITOR Jane Taylor BSe (Eng) LIBRARIAN Dorechy Ponrin ALA Limelite Cement Backing Dry bagged LIGHTWEIGHT plasterwith similar properties to 4 1:1:6 cement:lime:sand mortar. The ideal backing - offering a hard durable background surface, developing very little suction. Lingerfield, Scotton, Knaresborough North Yorkshire HGS 9JN Telephone: Harrogate (0423) 864041 Telex: 57471 | Gillan Collymore EDITORIAL SEC RETARY ¥ CARDS; Amew form oJ lypaid en be Al prices quored are for pounds sterling For more details enter 1748 on AJ enquiry card | Telex 8953505 —_—_— SS a ee em | Ealing |Greenwich 8 13 | |Haringey = 1 ee OFINNERcity| |THE FAILURE FROM |Havering - _Hounslow 8 |POLICIES: EXTRACT AGOVERNMENT REPORT* | 4 | |andChelsea — 13 | | didnot | ‘Local authorities |Lewisham |Merton |Newham |Redbridge |Southwark |Tower Hamlets |Waltham Forest 3 8 2 4 3 7 2 | |explicitly and consistently |attempt to channel traditional 6 — urban programme funds |towards the worst areas.’ 12 | — | 138 | | | | | 2 5 = |Harrow 1 1 | | Borough Local Volun- | Kensington 5 2 Wandsworth 4 6 4 6 | |Westminster — |TLEA |GLC TOTAL 3 | 14 author- tary | ity organisa- | projects tion | projects | 3— — 3 | Barking |Barnet 1 6 | Bexley 3 1 | |Brent 1 = | |Bromley |Camden |Croydon 3 8 1 66 1 | 3 | 13 | | one lar e~ Selected bibliography - The urden programme, the partnerships at work, Department of the Enviroament, 198) Review ofthetraditions!urbanprogramTMs Department ofthe Environment Inner Cities Directorate, March 1950 Donnison, D. and Soto, P The good city, Heinemann, 1980 The Econoreist, 13.382 pP 40-32, 10.4.82 pp3?-35, 2, 82 pp3e-+0. Eversley, D. ‘Retrospects and prospects’, The Planner,November 1981 Gough, L.,Thepolitical economy of the Welfare State, Macmillan, 1979, Hall, P. (ed) The inner cary te context, Social Scence Research Council, 1981 Potiey for the anner calves, HMSO, June 1977 The Brixton dirordert, H MSO, November 198) Whosefoun1IrayeHMSO,1952,(ReportofDurham conference) Home, R. K. Inner city regeneration, Spon, 1982.* Jones,C. (e4.) Urban deprrvatior and the inner <tly, Croom Helm, 1979 Lawless, P. Britain's tuner cities, Harper and Row, 1981." London Comenunity Work Service Newsletter, June 1952, No4l, Urban Aid Supplement Nabarro, R. and McDonald, L. “The urban programme’, The Planner, November 1978. Inver city mettoork, National Council for Voluntary Organisacion®, May 1952 Steen,A.D.Newlifeforoldcxticeaiofmindsustry,198) Regenerating our snner cities, Trades Union Congress, July 1981 *AJ ‘best bays’ OF FUNDS FOR TARY GROUPS* [HISTORY OFINNER CITY | Contact the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, Inner Cities Unit, 26 Bedford Square, | | London, WCIB 3HU (001-636 4066) \4 eS | POLICIES | | | | | | and Education Priority Areas. | 1968 Two weeks after Powell’s | ‘Rivers of blood’ speech, Callaghan lau nches Home | Office run Urban Aid Programme, Community Development Projects (CDPs) | | Urban Development | Corporation and Enterprise | Zones established. | «Many projects funded by local | |authorities, however, didseem— | |Urban programme: | (a) traditional urban programme |for deprived areas not including | inner city partnership and rogramme authority areas (b) inner city programme— partnership and programme authorities Local authority grants—rates funded Local education authorities— especially youth services Conservation—most architects will be aware of these sources The Sports Council Tourist boards The Arts Council | Health authorities | European social fund, EEC | The Prince of Wales Committee | Charitable sources Parish funds Commerce and industry Breweries—where licensed bars are included in schemes |Manpower Services Commission | | Liverpool8. As well as running jts own direct jabour | team, theNewcastle workshop hasmoved from being an environmental education 1972 | New Conservative Government commissions Inner AreaStudies. Peter Walker pratses SNAP. | resource [0 becoming 4 technical advice | service, But, aS competition for funds becomes fiercer, the survival of even this | |1973 enterprise 1s 1n question (AJ 9.6.82 p38). | 1982 Large increase in inner city spending announced. | | FJome Office Urban | Riots in Brixton, Toxteth, Moss Side, ete. Heseltine becomes M inister for Merseyside. | workers with tradesmen supervisors, has managed to employ 4 site architect to super vise their building projects, but he is paid £89 a week while the supervisors he instructs get £116 a week. |4969 ShelterNeighbourhoodAction | | Project(SNAP) setup1 | 4979 | Heseltine announces poltcy | review. Local government and | other spending cuts stepped up. | Centre for Environmental | Studies closed. | | to fall under the category of | | “more of the same”’.’ | | <Yoluntary sector projects | appeared,onthewhole,tofulfil | more of the traditional urban | sinner Cities Directorate, DOE, 1980 3i ) 1978 Inner Urban Area Act comes | practices with expertise in community Pro jects and technical advice centres. An exampleofthis partnership isthe Design Co-operative's close relationship with the nearby Community Technical Aid Centre in Manchester. However, such developments are themselves hampered by shortage of funds to which the UIF will only make a small contribution. | into force. Partnership scheme | | 15 ‘programme authorities’. Urban aid continues as “rraditional urban ard’. | Ian Finlay, of the Design Co-operative and | chairmanof the RIBA’s Projects Committee, ser up, with bulk of money going £0partnership areas and | | Architect as enabler Finance is likely to be one of the main topics under debate tomorrow, 8 July, at the RIBA’s community architecture conference. No clear policy has yet emerged from the RIBA, but it seems likely that the emphasis will be on a partnership between private believes that the Government will have to provide increased finance for such develop- ments. He, like Rod Hackney (AJ 13.1.82 p22), considers that it is time that free architectural advice 15 available like legal aid and most medical services. He argues that environmental problems are often at the root of medical and legal issues, and that local authorities are increasingly unable oF unwilling to tackle such problems. However, until funding is adequate and pro- vides for the essential professional contribu- tion to the job, it will be difficult to evaluate just how effective professional enabling can be. The imaginauon, skill and commitment are there, but theireffective application is threatened by 4 combination of bureaucracy and shortage of moncy- *From the London Community Work ServiceNewsletter | Deprivation Unit set up. | 1974 | Comprehensive community | programmes setup. | | 4977. CDPs closed down and Home | Office refuses 10 publish final | report. Labour Government | | | publishes White Paper on | policy for the inner cities and | DOE takes over responsibility from Home Of Ice. programme criteria than those | ‘submitted by local authorities.’ *Further information may be obtained from three | papers which will be available shortly Funding and planning a pacant building project, Funding skills and rechnacal support, and The role of local authorities. _— —= |1982 URBAN PROGRAMME | |PROJECTS IN LONDON* | AJ7 July 1982 Fighting for fees to the voluntary Given a shift in emphasis sector, will it be any easier for community groups to get professional advice? Urban aid and partnership funds for capital projects usually allow for fees at normal RIBA rates. These only become available once a project is approved. But thecrucial work is usually to establish the feasibility of projects: few voluntary groups can raise enough funds to mect the hourly charges of the professionals engaged in thisessential work. Experience in the field hardens some to this problem. The Design Co-operative in Manchester told me that it always charges £10 an hour after attending one or two initial meetings. In order to pay for such unfunded fees, some groups raise the money in 2 variety of ways, ranging from local authority grants to jumble sales. do give free In some cases local authorities assistance to voluntary groups in preparing applications, but this is very rare. Local councils of social service may attempt to co-ordinate applications to ensure that those most likely to succeed are pushed forward. However, many promising initiatives fail to get past the first stage. The usual pattern of project funding is to put together money from a variety of sources, 5. Typically, 4 redundant or tem- porary building isacquired for low costwith financial assistance from the local authority, urban programme money pays for materials and fees and the Manpower Services Com- mission (MSC) pays for building labour. Any shortfall comes from fund raising and private sources. expertise The accounting and management to co-ordinate this work is considerable, especially when some agencies persistently fail to recognise the problem. The MSC, for instance, assists many projects through its Youth Opportunities Programme (YOP) and Community Enterprise Programme (CEP). However, the MSC has completely failed to recognise the importance of professional input to projects. Many job creation schemes involve building work and the MSC regional committees always demand ahigh degree of technical detail, drawings, specifications, work programmes, cash flow schemes, plan- ning permission etc before approval is given. But even after approval no allowance is made in the funding arrangements for professional fees. this A number of projects have overcomearchi- problem by employing unemployed tects and technicians on their schemes. The Neweastle Architecture Workshop, for example, employing 20 trainee building > 75 lu arecent conference organised by the Labour Co-ordinating Committee, called ‘Beyond welfare’, has started discussions about more democratic and attractive objectives for the Welfare State. Itsuggests that local authority services should be devolved and demo- cratised, but there have been few steps (0 develop this in public architecture offices. It therefore seems likely that, in future, private and voluntary initiatives will be to the fore. in terms of the urban programme, despite the fact that the voluntary sector has received only asmall portion ofavailable funds. Apart from massive expenditure on expen- sive research (for instance, Inner Area Studies and CDPs) 75 per cent of traditional urban aid allocations between 1968 and 1969 went to local authorities. When implement- ing the cuts, local authorities have used inner city money to keep departmental pro- grammes going, rather than evaluating the most effective ways of spending It. This clearly influenced Lord Scarman in his strongly worded condemnation of the failure of inner city policies (sec caption to fig 1). The DOE’s own Inner Cities Directorate has produced evidence to support this picture, J. Some local authorities in London stil do not give grants to voluntary groups, 4, but in other areas urban aid andpartnership funds have become a lifeline to a whole range of esssential projects. The competition between groups to obtain such funds is fierce and there are always many more applications than money to meet them (for example, there were £1-5 million’s worth of bids for £0-5 million of partnership money in Manchester last year. In some areas attempts are made [0 COo- ordinate applications, but the overall short- age of money leaves a great deal of dissatis- faction. The most successful groups are arguably those that are most sophisticated in assembling finance rather than those most capable of doing an effective job. Because of the expertise required to tap such funds, an inner city network of highly professional organisations has grown Up, many advising or servicing voluntary groups to the extent that the term ‘voluntary’ sector issomething of a misnomer. A Ao THE MINISTER’S VIEW Tom King, the Minister for Local Government arid Environmental Services, was worried about inner city projects becoming dependent on state finance when I talked to him recently in his Marsham Street office. His solution is to ‘get the voluntary sector moving’, and he em- phasised that ‘public money will never do all the jobs because there is such a massive amount to be done. The Government will do what it can but its skill is to get the maximum gearing with other funds coming in to support projects.” He was prepared to admit that ‘under the squeeze, local authorities tended to cut the voluntary side to protect their own programmes’, but pointed out that the recent increases in budget would benefit voluntary groups. However, King stressed that projects should not expect to recetve a continual injection of public money: ‘I don’t automatically subscribe to the idea that they are all by definition totally unsustainable or unviable in their own right.’ His policy ts to cut out waste and help in a cost- effective way to encourage projects that will be self-financing. Groups obtaining funding under urban programme schemes will be given time limits to stop them running on and on, he said. Part of this strategy of increased support to voluntary groups ts to encourage technical and professional advice. This is the main purpose of the Urban Initiatives Fund (UIF). King explained that the idea of a fund had emerged from discusstons during the European Cam- paign for Urban Renaissance (ECUR) (AF 6.1.82 p21). Despite criticisms from people like David Eversley, who called wt an ‘intellectual middle-class professional movement’, King considers that ECUR has been a success—its exhibition of demonstration projects had ‘stimulated people around the country 10see what they could do themselves’. King believes in the power of example and hopes that good professional advice would encourage more successful voluntary projects in urban renewal. He sees COMTECHSA* as an example of effective professionalassistance. He would not say what criteria had been used to assess the many applications which have well exceeded the £100 000 available in the UIF, but a decision on its allocation ts expected shortly. Applicants have to match any grant pound for pound, bur King hopes that a number of differ- ent approaches will be supported so that the most successful can be evaluated in use. Look- ing into the ‘foreseeable future, he said that the fund would be renewed each year. «Cocamunity Technical Services Agency, based inLiverpool. Itis financed langely by Inner City Partnership fiands. In 1980-81 its budges was £61 000, which isas indication ofbow thinly spread the£100000UIFmvoncywillbe.COMTECHSA ismanagedby representatives ‘ofthe community groups Htserves and local sympathetic professionals. Restructuring the Welfare State Early critics of community architecture, such as the New Architecture Movement’s Public Design Service Group, saw com: munity architecture as a threat to local authority departments. While some see current developments as recognition that voluntary groups do a better job than the more bureaucratic local authorities, others warn against the dangers of state services being whittled away and replaced with cheaper private groups which exploit the social concern and goodwill of unpaid volunteers. Much of this has been seen in the social services, where cuts in home help and nursing services, for instance, have put more burden on low income families. However, Ian Gough, in his book, The political economy of the Welfare State, argues that a preoccupa- tion with the cuts obscures an understanding of what is really happening— @ restructuring of the Welfare State which includesprivatis- ing many state-run services. The present Government has been able to implement many of these changes without much opposition because of widespread public dissatisfaction with public services, particularly in housing and health. Even the left of the Labour Party and the trade union movement has belatedly recognised this, and mame | ARCHITECTURE AS COLONIALISM |Colonialism isnotarelicofthe past—empire building inforeign ey - . “i of this year’s RIBA conference if t there was a genuine desire to listen to people outside the profession. lands—nor tsit just a superficial charge to be levelled at those members oftheprofession who f build models ofMilton Keynes in the Muslim deserts. C aphilosophy that tsvery much alive right here and now in the UK. (It could have been the subject ‘olonialism ts 2 Colonialism always includes three essential processes: the occupation of territory, the resettlement of communities and the destruction of indigenous cultures. If theprofession continues to claim some responsibility for the ‘world about us’ (as this year’s conference title would suggest) then 1tmustalso recognise the colonialist natureof so many of its actions. To absolve itself the profession must accept | 4 humbly, in principle and in practice, that because of our history and our narrow class base, we architects actually know very little about our own subject, ‘the whole environment’. So often we are brutally colonising an area and its people, feeding them only our narrow perception ofculture. Brian Anson in this, the second and final part of ‘Architecture as colonialism’ (Part 1,AF 30.6.82, pp29-44), suggests that the profession can choose one of three routes for the future. Two of them he considers disastrous; the third, ifchosen, will mean that to recognise our profound ignorance will not be depressing—on the contrary it could offer us a genuine cause for celebration in 1984’s Festival ofArchitecture. fie’ AJ 7July 1982 61 an ~— cnSe IEE oe Gio eerie eed ES mera ar ke ae | | | | | | 68 ]Frontis page: What environmental usefor the future of Bootle? 1 The two-faced profession—culturally oe Ay 7July 1952 AJ7 July 1982 we a 3 routes for the profession James Bellini, in his book Rule | Britannia: a progress report for domesday 1986, describes the Britain of a few years hence thus: ‘There will be a small closed world where knowledge is God and the altars are tended by a monastic order of information brokers. And there will be a vast backwater economy around it, where unemployment, menial work, moonlighting, barter and brigandry are | the standard features of everyday life.’ Many would argue that, in parts of the country, that world already exists. Bellini omitted to sketch out its envi- ronmental characteristics but we can imagine them—indeed, in some regions, we can already see them: | decaying industries, decaying housing estates and decaying landscapes. Such dereliction is no longer nicely confined to traditionally poor areas and the inner cities—it is rapidly spreading. Chronic unemployment, leading in many cases todisillusionment, apathy and bad health, prevents even ‘average’ | people maintaining their own personal environment. It is a cancerous phen- omenon which the architectural pro- fession has assiduously ignored. In the first part of this article (AJ 30.6.82, pp29-44) I suggested that the RIBA was perfectly correct to describe architecture as ‘the whole built envir- onment’ and pointed out that this wide- | ranging definition was verified by the fact that no architect (no matter how small the practice) has ever refused a major city development on the grounds that it did not form part of their sphere of knowledge. | Throughout the “60s and ’70s the pro- fession largely neglected its social responsibilities just as it ignored, or more often aided, the breaking-up of indigenous communities in the interests of comprehensive redevelopment— indeed the RIBA president, Owen Luder, is on record as declaring in 1972 that ‘the most successful architects are those who know the property field’. In its current neglect of the growing dereliction which is helping to fuel communal violence, the profession con- tinues to ignore its social responsibility. In the first section of this article I sketched out three community situa- tions with some reference to the ‘spatial culture’ within each environment. The case studies were chosen carefully to illustrate by comparison two of the essential problems of the architectural profession—its inherent ‘colonialist | character and class base, and its pro- found ignorance of the ‘spatial cultures’ of many communities. which way will you go? . a But, as a profession, we have also been in- volved in the other aspect of colonial- ism—the neglect or brutalisation ofthose we have either ignored or seen resettled. As part ofits social responsibility, the profession has never seriously considered how itmight put its talents at the service of those who inhabit the slums and grey areas of our environment. The profession’s general ignorance of the case, to be recruited from the ‘other’ classes. This is not to imply that the profession has a great knowledge of the numerous other ‘cultures’ within our society (rural, suburban etc) but at least architects are closer to these communities. Most architects will totally re- ject the idea that our profession 1s related to a colonialist mentality, yet We really are en- gaged in the same game. To the present day we frequently (and with- out protest) create our architecture on ‘occupied’ land—the compulsory purchase order and the comprehensive development area have been used for the same ultimate purpose (profit) and with the same success as was the bayonet in the past. We ought to have been perfectly aware that, through our architecture, we have aided the ‘forced’ re- settlement of communities of long standing and played a direct part in the destruction of their social cultures. The ‘language’ in the streets of many ‘gentrified’ areas of the UK is totally alien to that heard even a decade ago. These changes (in which the profession was heavily involved) were not slow and gradual, incorporating the best aspects of traditional cultures, often centuries old, but swift brutal acts of aggression. What, after al, is Covent Garden but a classic case of ‘colonialism’? people’s social culture has produced what are now aptly termed ‘the new slums’. Although the architectural profession has largely identical characteristics (as an elite) in the countries of al three case studies (the UK, Ireland and Germany), 4comparison of the ‘cultural strength’ of the three com- munities highlights the subtlety of the British system of social and environmental control, of which our profession is a part. Despite the severe problems it faces, the cul- ture of the Irish community is by far the strongest of the three, ifonly by virtueof the retention of its language. However, the furure is ominous: 4 member of the West Donegal community writing [0 the European Court of Human Rights received the reply that ‘no further letters in Gaelic will be acknowledged’. The German community, although with a similar working-class history to Bootle, is the ‘culturally’ stronger of the two. One explana- tion for this is that European communities, owing to their continuing history of wars, revolutions and occupations (and thus resist- ance), have a greater ‘sense’ of struggle ofall kinds, including community action. Architecture as colonialism Colonialism, in pursuit of profit and power, always involves three essential processes: the occupation of territory, the resettlement of communities and, to consolidate its con- | quest, the destruction of indigenous cultures. Having no interest in those com- munities the occupation of whose territories would bring neither power nor profit, it ignores them. Those it resettles it always ignores, in some cases first brutalising them. | Colonialismisnot4relicofthepast(empire- | building in foreign lands), it is @ philosophy—very much alive—which sees territory as merely a profit, of power making mechanism. As he threw starving | peasants of West Donegal off the land in 1849, the words of Lord Brougham that “it is the landlords inalienable right to do as he pleases, otherwise money will cease to be invested in land’ were only a more honest | version of those of one particular GLC | chairman, who in 1970 informed the Covent Garden architects and planners that they | should have nothing to do with community organisations because ‘they are more trouble than they are worth’. In its basic objectives, colonialism 1s more successful in its own domain than in ‘foreign | lands’. The British working class has been, justifiably, described as ‘the last colony of the British Empire’. If my reference to working-class culture seems excessive it is because this class has been the most neglected or brutalised by the architectural profession which tends, in any illiterate. (Illustration by Brian Anson.) i —e AJ7 July 1982 ARCHITECTURE AS COLONIALISM ART IN ACTION BRIAN ANSON "=noo eeeeee ee eb eA As regards Bootle, |know from personal ex- | perience that I totally failed to understand | how brutal and oppressive the environment of the dockland community was until I had left it. Jingoism, false patriotism and propa: ganda still prevent—as they did in my child- hood—the poorer communitics of the UK from fully appreciating the extent to which they have been conned into accepting, among other things, 4deprived environment of scandalous proportions. However, as the communal riots (with their shocking results) have proved, things are rapidly changing. Timidity isbeing replaced by community anger and violence towards the environment. The architectural profes- sion cannot hide from this; first because, as architects, we have a clear duty to face up to the problems of the ‘whole built environ- ment’, and, second, because the anger will | not be contained. I suggest that there are three basic routes | which could be followed and the future of the profession will depend upon which one we choose. 2 This year’s conference theme, but some worlds | are ignored. 3 Option two: defensive architecture. | | | | 70 vo AJ 7July 1982 AJ7 July 1982 uf > Route 1: ‘Steady as she goes’ This will be a continuation of the profession’s present course—really two routes in parallel but not in conflict, despite their different appearances. At one level is a profession obsessed with advertising, directorships, liabilities and ever-larger combines. Concomitant with this will be the continued expansion of architecture as an international pure ‘art’ form, complete with drawing sales, _ exhibitions, cultural jamborees and a continuous search for quiet cathedral towns (rapidly diminishing in number as Bellini’s ‘brigandry’ spreads) in which it can continue to ‘talk to itself? and ‘rage’ over the latest stylistic ‘battles’. For both profession and society the results of this course will be disastrous. Society will lose out because, despite its social failing and ineptitude, the profession has a wealth of creativity to offer all the people in this country. Architecture will lose because it will bring upon itself the naked hostility of a growing community of people who sce that they have as much right to a civilised habitat as they have to some form of dignified work. As the tensions grow in our society we will be reminded of the old adage that “if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem’. Characteristic of the blindness of the present route is the mind-blowing insensitivity of the RIBA’s decision to hold its 1984 ‘birthday party’ on the theme ‘The art of architecture’ in the drowsy environment ofOxford. Some will argue that the problems outlined in this article are being tackled by the much- lauded new venture of ‘architecture work- shops’, backed by both Government and the RIBA. They have recently becn described as ‘a major breakthrough on a national basis’. Leaving aside the fact that they represent @ minute element in the whole fabric of the profession, their performance so far would suggest that, at best, they are reformist (and paper over the cracks of the real problems) and, at worst, deeply sinister. If the work- shops idea was ‘to combine education and training in the built environment’ (thestated aims of the Newcastle venture), then their ‘curriculum’ must have excluded some very crucial subjects (rack-renting, land speculation, class and cultural take-over and environmental neglect on acriminal scale) or else their ‘pupils’ were mute, docile or architecturally brainwashed at an carly age. One would expect any normal community of people, being provided with the real reasons for their substandard environment, to give vent (at least initially) to a show of anger and protest. No such outburst has yet resulted from the activities of the workshops. On present evidence the advent of the archi- tecture workshops will not alter theexisting course of the profession; it will stil be ‘steady as she goes’—to social disaster and disgrace. This will be a development which acknow- ledges the growth of a violent society and Not al British landlords in West Donegal were brutal; some of them, though patronis- ing, genuinely wished to ‘improve the con- ditions of the peasantry’, yet their land ‘improvements’ depended upon the destruc- tion of the people’s most important cultural traditions—the inherent egalitarianism and countenanced by the system. The plan therefore included ‘safe houses’ for those on the run, Those who would condemn such ascenario as exaggerated and extremist should consider that it was outlined three years before the Liverpool riots. This route would also be disastrous for al sides: not as disastrous as the present route (which will in any case lead to the develop- ment of defensive architecture) for there is evidence that some form of creativity arises out of overt struggle. Yet few couldscriously desire such a scenario if for no other reason than that it would waste the immense amount of creative potential presently lying dormant in our society. There are two specific prerequisites for this path, the only way that gives the profession any chance at al of producing a socially acceptable architecture. The profession must first reject its obsession with corporate imagery and esoteric ‘cultural’ debate, and, having done so, must become involved in a major way with the areas and classes it has so long avoided. The second requirement is crucial: the pro- fession must drop its arrogant belief that it can ‘teach’ the communities of these areas about the environment; such an approach is impertinent in the extreme, given the record of architectural disasters. If their declared in- tentions in the Press are accurate, the RIBA’s Architecture Workshops are afaulty concept from the start, in that they propose to ‘educate’ the people in environmental matters. It is we, the architects, who need the education. The ‘spatial cultures’ outlined in the case studies were the people’s environmental knowledge—information without which any concept for improvement of their environ- ment is facile. I described only three examples (two of them working-class, since I consider the improvement of working-class environment a priority) but every community, whatever its class, has a unique ‘spatial culture’. If we ignore this then we not only design in a vacuum but, ironically, our creativity can actually be destructive. The communities of whole streets identical to the one described in dockland Bootle, but closer to metropolitan centres (particularly London), have been eliminated through the application of, among other things, ‘creative’ ideas. It is good for an architect to make @ humble dwelling more beautiful by the application of design talent, but ifthis results in the landlord (in his determination to get ‘more of this class of person in’) evicting the indigenous community, then the end result js bad. If the architect, in the quite proper aim of brightening up 4 grim environment, eliminates the vital physical elements in the community culture (for example, the blank gable wall which is the only ‘football pitch’ for the local kids), then the end result is again negative. Route 2: ‘Defensive architecture’ I proposed that a block within the area should be deliberately burnt and vandalised and then encased in an (exquisitely designed) glass sheath. It would contain a continuing anti-colonialist exhibition showing not only what Britain did to its colonies, but also how city areas were raped and exploited by the powerful world of property, aided and abetted by our profession. Defensive architecture is not to be confused with Oscar Newman’s theory ofdefensible space (and that is not to devalue his contri- bution to our understanding of architecture). Newman's analysis refers to the defending of space within communities; defensive archi- tecture will deal with whole areas designed in such a way that entire communities not only totally control their neighbourhoods but ensure the ‘other side’ keeps out. It will be created on both sidesof the divide in our society with the majority of the profession continuing to serve the ‘small closed world’ of Bellini’s scenario. A minority ofarchitects who have long endeavoured to put their creative talents at the service of the more de- prived communities will, in their frustration at the profession’s obstinate refusal to libera- lise(letalone‘revolutionise’)itself,developa Route3:‘Celebration’ defensive architecture for their side. There will be a difference in the two styles. One will continue to be ‘a green and pleasant Jand’, but with more private roads and, most importantly, guarded by the State through whatever ‘law enforcement’ arm iteventually creates. The other will be more aggressive in character and with one prime purpose in its design—to keep the State out. Space does not allow detailed description of the numerous examples of defensive architecture which have come out of Belfast in particular in recent years, but they include the ‘creation of open space’ (free-fire zones) by the army and the ‘physical removal’ of modern blocks (designed by architects to make the streets ‘more interesting’) by the Provisional TRA, who feared they would become conyenient observation posts for the army. In 1978 I described the streets of my home city, Liverpool, as ‘Belfastian’ in character and argued that ‘there is little difference between the Falls Road and the Shankill Road and the streets of Liverpool 8’. As an ‘academic’ exercise I designed a piece of defensive architecture for the centre of the city. I will only briefly describe some of the principal elements in the plan, 3. The first objective was to define the area that could be successfully defended against the ‘forces of the State’. Thus market forces (the MEF areas of the plan) are excluded as being too powerful to contend with. The streets of the defensible area are al renamed: ‘Street of Loneliness’, ‘Street of Irish Sorrow’, ‘Sam Driscoll Way’—the first to make the point that architectural training and practice seldom comment on the sad and derelict as- pects of our environment, the second to re- emphasise my contention that architecture has a ‘colonialist’ character and the third in memory of the many ‘ordinary’ people who struggled so hard for a better environment in the days of community action. The project made the point that, despite the fact that ‘participation’, ‘Jocal initiatives’ etc are now fully accepted processes in our establishment philosophy, this does not mean that sofa! control will ever be Oepe tries THO tenet a seg peeee er ae 2 eer Ahe orSN ‘learns how to live with iv. | AJ 7July 1982 Conclusion alone cannot solve the pro- The profession blems that led to the riots but it can recognise the part it played in their creation. Many architects might then join’ those who have taken to the streets, learn from them and, ultimately, co-operate with them in creating a more humane environment. If the profession does not take this route (and ‘a dozen architectural workshops by the end of the year’ is just an insulting gesture) then architects are in for a bad time. of the Perhaps the most dramatic example is the profession’s current social irrelevance high probability that, had the RIBA been located in Liverpool’s Upper Parliament Street or Brixton’s Railton Road and not in salubrious Portland Place, it would now be a burnt out shell. magazinenot- The decorum ofaprofessional withstanding, the justified hostility citizen of one of these environments prevents me diluting his reply when questioned on the architecturalprofession: ‘The bastards who design this shit in which we are forced to live make a lot of bread from it—when the time comes we'll burn them too!” But then perhaps Ihave got italwrong. Per- haps the profession is acutely aware of the future implications of the ‘whole built en- vironment’ and is seriously preparing tode- fend itself and its creations from the ‘prigandry’. This might just explain why Lt Gen Frank Kitson, former GCC Northern Ireland and foremost ‘counter insurgency’ expert, was going to be one of the principal speakers at the RIBA conference! of a 71 —on SA y= the caretakers, the typists, the canteen | 4 Recognising our ignorance of others’ cultures workers of their own institution. Thus they ought to be a cause for celebration; we can learn leave the school of architecture a homo- from one another. geneous mass, thinking and talking the same current stylistic irrelevancies. It is an immense tragedy. The recognition of our ignorance is not a depressing idea; on the contrary, it is a cause for celebration. “To know what you do not know—that is wisdom,’ said Confucius. The creative environmental knowledge we do possess is marred and rendered less effective than it could be because of its narrow base, but al its philosophies are not to be despised—they are just wrongly directed towards ‘the small closed world’ and not to society at large. Our acquisition of the knowledge possessed by the people will immeasurably enrich our own knowledge base: it will ‘feed’ it and, through this process, it will develop and thus live. The people’s acquisition of our ideas will similarly enrich them. Surely such a prospect can only delight us. The celebration of co-operation being sug- gested is in contradistinction to the absurd theory that architecture, in order to gain social acceptability, must ‘give the people what they want’, a notion as ridiculous as that of Anthony Caro at the recent Art and Architecture symposium that ‘people do not know what they want; when they get it they like what they get’. The citizens of Liverpool 8 and dockland Bootle may eventually require and demand defensive architecture but, like any other sane community, they would infinitely pre- fer an architecture composed of the richness of their own culture plus the wider ideas of any architect (from whatever class) who had goodwill towards them and was offended by the dereliction in which theyexist. co-operation with which they shared good | and bad land. Creativity, in the world of architecture and | environmental design, 1s not an abstraction: it must be related to social reality. The rota! experience of the physical environ- ment resides, by definition, within society. Every man, woman and child possesses cle- ments (possibly only munute ones) of the ‘knowledge’ that we architects need to do our job properly. It is a concept far beyond the (now sopatronising) ideas ofparticipation, consultation, town trails and the like: it is | based on a shocking realisation that, because of our history and our narrow class base, we architects actually know so little about our own subject, ‘the whole built environment’. Indeed in the considered view of those who | have already taken to the streets, we are simply illiterate in the matter. Our system of architectural education per | petuates this creative ‘narrowness’. Students embark upon architecture with a combined wealth of environmental knowledge—the expert knowledge, rich in detail, of their own neighbourhoods. I once taught a class of students and was able to draw out of them a massof environmental knowledgeof ‘spatial culture’ in which they were the experts: the spatial patterns of an African village, of growing up 1nFlorida, ofaNew England in- dustrial city, of growing up on the edge of the Libyan desert, and a dozen other such spatial culrures—it was only 3 small class! Retaining the definition of architecture as ‘the whole built environment’, we must work from the basis that, at one level, there are perhaps.20 million architects in the UK alone. Yet in al my experience with students they have never been encouraged to share this knowledge with each other, let alone with ee The Otis award To be given to the architects making the most significant contribution to the urban scene in the UK. First announced: AJ 16.6.82 p31. Sponsors: The Otis Elevator Co Ltd, in association with the AJ. Judges: Richard Rogers, John Outram, AlecClifton- Taylor, Simon Jenkins, Leslie Fairweather. Prize: £10 000. Closing date: Nominations by 3 September 1982 at 17.00. Details: See AJ 16.6.82 p31 or contact Barry Wheeler (Otis Award), Otis Elevator Co Ltd, The Otis Building, 43/59 Clapham Road, London, SW9 0JZ (01-735 9131). | | Current AJ competitions and awards | The AJ has two competitions and one award scheme currently under way. Here is a reminder of the crucial details and dates. Judges: Maurice Culot, Nicholas Cooper, Leslie Fairweather, A new leaseof life for Belsize Wood Ideas wanted for the future ofa9 acre site on the fringe of central London (below). First announced: AJ 24.2.82 p38. | 7 Sponsors: Belsize Conservation Area Advisory Committee, AJ, Camden Society of Architects, London Region RIBA and London Environment Group. Judges: James Stirling, Jake Brown, Leslie Fairweather and a representative from the Landscape Institute. | 5 Prizes: Total £500; first prize £300. | Closing date: Tuesday 31 August 1982 at 17.00. NB No further copiesof the conditions are being issued. | Po e but risk * Condensation * Mould growth * Delay and deterioration % . of decoration Efflorescence Rust and pattern staining * Material wastage Excessive labour Measured drawings * High maintenance International competition to measure and draw historic buildings, structures, machinery and archacology. First announced: AJ 3.3.82 p31. | by using Sponsors:WigginsTeapeandtheAJ. other Plasters! 2 IanKennedy. Prizes: Total £2500; first prize £1000. Closing date: Friday 29 October 1982 at 17.00 | Details; Apply to A. J. N. Edwards, Wiggins Teape (UK) PLC, Chartham Paper Mills, Canterbury, Kent, CT47JA. Architectural photographer of the year This competition will not be run this year, but is programmed again for 1983 when it will be held in conjunction with the a For more details enter 1748 on AJ enquiry card ys mats ’ 7 ; Victorian Society’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Details will | 2 —— AJ 7July 1982 ~~ uave scaled the be announced in the spring of 1983. PSLG March 1980 ee ee| fith the For more than 50 years, the provision of public housing on 4 large scale has been a central plank of successive government housing policy. In consequence. municipal housing now caters for about a third of the population One can speculate about what might have been without state intervention on this scale. But there is litthe doubt that public provision has been a major explanation tor improvements in housing conditions in past decades. As a recent NEDO report has argued, “its achievement must be regarded as among the successes of British social policy.” This is not to say that Council housing does not have its problems Local authorities have estimated 250,000 of their dwellings to be “difficult-to-let”, a product of deteriorating environments and obsolete physical structure and design Housing management still leaves a lot to be desired. Local authorities are too often insensitive and unresponsive. and standards of repair in many areas are simply appalling Tenants also lack real choice and mobility. and generally tind it difficult to realise rising housing aspirations The problems associated with e¢n- vironmental and physical decay are gradually being recognised, but the cuts in housing investment will severcly delay the improvements required, In an attempt to give tenants more tirmly based rights, the Torys version of the “Tenants Charter” contained in the Housing Bill/Act gives tenants security of tenure, the right to sub- let, take lodgers, make improvements and apply for improvement grants The Bill also requires landlord authorities to establish and make publicly known, arrangements for consulting tenants on issucs of housing management. These are steps in the right direction, and may lead to some backward authorities reviewing and improving their practices In view of the Conservative Government's drastic policies of the past twelve months or so, and in particular the controversial legislation consuming housing and local government, this year's National Housing and Town Planning Conference (The Brighton Metropole, 28, 29 and 30 October) should be quite a powder keg. Secretary of State for the Environment, Michael Heseltine, will bravely step into the jaws of the > ctocodile when he presents his Ministerial Address and, no doubt, will emerge again » <unscathed, without even a trace of plaque. >Among the diverse problems to be ironed out at — the canference will be public behaviour in the environmentSEE a housingtheelderly, . Gocial services-departments, planning in the. Sp eighties and housing management, ‘repairs and © feature, time is running out for public housing so. there may..be nd need to ever consider the . problems of maintenance ormanagement. TTTTT I] maintenance. But,-asStewart Lansley points.aut- in his opening article to this speciak PSLG _ 2 sa Not far enough But they hardly go tar enough. Two im portant provisions in Labour's Housing Bill. for example. have simply been dropped by the Tories. These would have relaxed residential qualifications and facilitated mobility by empowering the Secretary of State to require local authorities to make a proportion of their relets available to tenants moving trom other areas Significant as some of these problems are. the bulk of council tenants are happy with their housing. A survey in 1975 found that 75 per cent of council tenants were satisfied, though 40 per cent still had a preterence tor owner occupation An important feature of British public housing has been its comprehensive charac: ter. Since 1946, it has, in principle, been open to all — not just to working class - — — —_—* —_——- ai 2oe —_— a) pid a ———— - j => ol eeeed, Somaya —_— 4 oa ——~ wun } to ownere their own home . that ownerC- homes Provides greater freedom. dkernative 2 } aluminium plates for someon 40] Aj 20 February 1980 x This trend is hardly surprising. The tempt to put the financial and other benefits — But without radical changes in policy — and role choice between renting and buying 1s. as a of renting and buying on a par. households soon — the shadow may soon become a ing. recent Fabian author put it, far trom a with sufficient resources to make @ choice shroud. das z oT toTMown theirown homeaaEpa: : / j '- = cent. In 1975, 45 per cent of the poorest tenth of households lived in council genuine toss'up’. Financially, owning 1s will generally opt tor purchase housing. In 1976. only 2 per cent ot generally a much better bet than renting Time is running out tor public housing as professional workers and Il per cent ofem- Many other advantages lie with buying, a a comprehensive sector catering for a wide :m. ployers and managers lived in the public situation that is not the ‘natural’ one that range of income and social groups. What we jis sector. In contrast. 65 per cent of unskilled this and the previous Labour Government — are witnessing is the gradual demise of Fhe manual workers were council tenants, com- have claimed, but one created and fuelled public housing into a largely residual. pared with 55 per cent in 1970. Current by successive government policy. The facts Government policy will therefore simply are that housing preferences have been ar reintorce a trend that is already well under _ tifictally distorted in favour of home owner- way ship. Until changes are introduced which at welfare role — towards the polarisation ot any society. by income and class, between the ng two major sectors Council housing ts cer- and tainly passing under a deepening shadow jical | occupation provides greater freed es om. PSLG October LYS0 five 6! ach the leir /Yop BHOUSING! households. In contrast. social housing in other countries has played a more limited welfare role, catering mainly for the poor and disadvantaged. In the United States, for example, the share of public housing stands at about 5 per cent, and ts largely limited to low income houscholds. In 1970, 70 per cent of tenants were non-white, 40 per cent were one-parent families and 40 per cent were elderly and disabled, with only 25 per cent of houscholds containing wage-carners In Britain, public housing has catered tor a cross-section of the population. Despite this. its existence as a@ major and com prehensive sector is now under real threat Partly this is due to the policy innovations of the present Government Insignificant New building, already at an all time low since the war, could collapse to less than 30,000 by 1983, according to a recent report ‘ by the Commons’ Select Committee on the Environment. The new measures to boost sales will not have a significant effect on the 5 size of the public sector, at least tor some } time. With a current stock of 6!2 million dwellings, sales would have to rise above even the Governments most optimistic target of 200,000 a year, to have any i noticeable impact. Where sales will have an impact. however. — and a crucial one — ts on the quality of the stock and the range of houscholds catered tor by the public sector Despite denials by the Government, sales will lead, in the main, to a loss of better quality dwellings in popular areas. and bet- ter-off tenants The Government's retreat trom public housing is therctore important, but it is not the only factor threatening its vote Recent years have seen a gradual concentration of poorer households in the public sector Between 1967 and 1975, the proportion of all households in receipt of sup- plementary benefit’ living in municipal housing rose from 45 per cent to 37 per faith the PSLG March 1980 |2 iterative aluminium plates for someon | on The Government's retreat from public housing will mean that there may never be any more interesting local authority estates such as the one at Virgt Walk and Cherry Laurel Walk, in the Borough of Lambeth. | ‘ |d yes he f} ; a The ho; cant hea to InLondonW10 there’sahousewithafront wall measuring just four feet nine inches. In Oxfordshire there's a modest pile called Blenheim Palace that boasts a handy 200 rooms. Fooca(aoemdar alasccmaorremeORritllore other homes in Britain, from one-bedroom flats to eighteen-bedroom vicarages. Glow-worm gas central heating boilers can heat them al. And when we say ‘heat’, we dont mean we can just slap in any old boiler. With the biggest range of domestic gas boilers be authoritieswant.erate ‘Fi GhawawormLimuted,NeatinghamRoad,Belper,DerbyDESIT AdiviseeofTlGasHearinLgidow Circle 11 on Reader Inquiry Card pee," URAL a Baris in the country, we have the most economical unit for every size of house. With our combination of wall-hung, free- standing and backboilers, with conventional or balanced flues,we can fitaboiler anywhere. Up and down the country, local authorities are specifying Glow-worm boilers at the rate of over 300 per day. Which means we dont just have the biggest range of boilers for local authorities. We also have the kind of experience local Too many proye : san oe ane tocommission then slumimium piate for somecun c whereby a t1( ng ical fole ing a as each A the mative 2 to own their occupation provides uld preter that owner greater treedom own homes. council ifitwas years of thIe original sold within purchase This pre-emption clause designed to prevent the owner selling at a Profit within the five year period. A further Circular tssued in 1977 enabled councils t increase the discount to 30 per cent, but only with Department of the Environment consent The 1974-9 Labour Government. for I to rescind 4 DOE Circular in 974 (70/74) irgued that it would be wrong to sell houses in areas with a ontinuing Never bund 6,000 in € also points out that any old piece « alloeamkYelo) housing always has been a political pawn — up and down with the fortunes or misfortunes of successive governments. In the sixties the emphasis focussed on building more and ‘better’ UToaohMeyerTTCMTTathconstruction thisgeneralconsent has tailed-off dramatically and, in Michael Heseltine’s own words, ‘will never get back to the scale it was ten years ago’. Provision of new housing is being left to the private sector's CTIAERYCLTaLingenuity,sometimesin partnership with local authorities. At the same time, to continue updating the existing housing stock and its immediate environment, is imperative. In this, and the next two issues of PSLG, we are devoting our main features to the changing aspects of housing. The following article, by Stewart Lansley, Senior Researcher with the Centre ion Environmental Studies and author of consent to local authorities that houses could be sold atfull market value. without restriction, or at as much as 20 per cent below that value on condition that houses were offered back to the their opposition to sales, did little need for rented accommodat theless, sales fell sh irply to ar 1976, but subsequently rose to reach 28.000 n 1978. Then in March 1979, follow ng the growth in sales in some areas, Labour issued a circular preventing sales in certain narrowly detined circumstances Owner-occupation Council house sales are an integral plank of current Cx nservative housing Pp »licy a reflection of their determined Support for pation and their vision of Pe(TNTeeNT)ItaILO TAMTe Owning democracy But this time, the proposed policy has a new twist — compulsion. The aim is sales on a massive scale, and it is the element which has aroused particular controversy The generosity of the discounts is also Not all parts of the Housing Bill published in December have aroused political con troversy. Indeed, some sections remair largely unchanged from Labour's Bill » hich fell with the election. Most Parts of the proposed Tenants’ Charter, and the greater availability of grants for repairs and im provements have bipartisan Support. Other elements, however including the proposed shorthold tenancies, and the new local authority subsidy system particularly the intention to reduce the overall level of sub sidy — are being hotly debated But most controversial of all is the Proposal embodied in the Tenants’ Charter to give council tenants the statutory right to buy their own homes at fixed discounts of up to 50 per cent. This is already set to provoke a bitterly fe Ught parliamentary bat tle, which will almost certainly forex the Government into the use of the guillotir e The selling of council houses is not a new policy. Sales in England and Wales re #peak of 62,000 in 1972. This tollowed the e Heath Government's provision of genera highly contentious. Purchasers receive discounts from assessed market value of 33 per cent after three years’ tenancy. rising by one per cent for each year to SOper cent af ter 20 years or more. The option clause JEposit provides at year time continued from p42 H ATacteyKMey TeGovernment's decision to sell ofa large portion of the country’s council house stock. argued that most households w 718 " 177ayy : sef0COM 1 ic sfor someone fo¢ Option to buy at the price fixed att of the original 4tluation has also aroused wide concern Most of the arguments about stiles have already been widely aired Supporters have sluminium plate c ‘| ultimate value of the scheme as some | allocations ofcapital expenditure will be | marginal or accidental overspending’. _ F measure of the value of the scheme’. At | made, as before, under five main | The new broad controls on capital is IP diay Nick. et — — — ———-— =perwnmcsutinapresOrmn UTE" proposa aanrnrour OWCVETS cotomancan awe ee 5 Milton Anonue Re RIBA Comumlis Prelutieriane, CUSHE 81(A}p) = _Af30January 1980 *. ye > LONDON W.1. pessapo “ait Counate OF Te ultimate TEATUTE OY Mis Proposals that although | However intend to make directions Tory measure of the value of the scheme’, At | made, as before, under five main | The new broad controls on capital DEMOCRATIC DESIGN A ONE DAY CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS FACING LOCAL AUTHORITY ARCHITECTS AND TO BRING TOGETHER IDEAS FOR RADICAL CHANGE. U.C.A.T.T, HALL, GOUGH STREET, BIRMINGHAM SATURDAY 6TH MAY, 1978, AT 10.30 A.M. REGISTRATION: £1 (EXCLUSIVE OF MEATS), FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE WRITE TO: PUBLIC DESIGN GROUP, NEW ARCHITECT MOVEMENT, 9 POLAND STREET, A MEW ROLE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY ARCHITECTS DEPARTMENTS value of the scheme as some | allocations of capital expenditure will be | marginal or accidental overspending’. | CISIB 81(Ajp) AJ30 January 1980 Discucsios m o fete af anclulectie as a public Senet ane Surfacinugr hie avetulicturak guess. Not sorce tha AT Guest EMI Senisin (952 Lastherebtonanysilesprtad rsfomtd Conidtation or Mus malléy. The harlovingoy sf the long averdul Acbato is Less ttle. Public Expenditure Cuts ,particularly bn hoting amd LAucahar moans thot there will he Lass ote qr archutects Ar Ke same tome, as lal ouuck Cane hid) ncnasing pressinfeo teduce Shh, clopadtments ef ardulacture fank a chow Second fp Direct lalouY Crgamasahions aS promt iagels Pv te “back fp private profit WaovreweTD frchilictstimgonoval, but expecialythoseoko sores,te public Seep ford HomselvesAroust forccbly tify Spotlightasbuchclearly IecalesthomasacotfrWicksens| @ am a felibical stage: They ase not aloe din Tes precicawumt, It t ane usbuclr royShape thr Ke ore million Beetle houscholds on fhe coumpry’s Comet and housing asspiatio waiting lists,and C sat Chey peble Sect rotleoy)avd fspreafLefr wlian.thong Gernees ane tnttrdad. pabliescctvarellect isnotseparatefroHoatfhe tovand| tousung offeced AVbuilding wirtheny ard cannot : keasmably be conrsidend tn (Selatan, [et Thr is precisely what the RIBA and off shats ihe te socuity 2} Chil Aeluitets om Umal Authentics (SAA) are hymng clo as fray attmpl b cane to Wars tultr te Thus He potion of mctsbeds the ClsrmantingoftheLlelfiseult,ThePresideatfScatA, | Wstiad 4 ack nouledy lng thot fo provide VW Not fe Prom hy CE Repoblic Soniee » C aie prwulgatior 0 This melel isKerafrced by (ew Corhal of architictwal pepulatine(7i2cvid). Itaefumesdlearchilelas Bee dinAafe dint Srtreprevscu ofeling Marx dalisod : educatior ,omplayntict and / “in Ikitbecouse tHeyanounwillingvUmal4salccept thatAo metel ofarrchpaicktiszlinal hich has been pelaEe eeae) povedhasbeer) rolaeu%t tsproachesafarctlichan S é. Protea Cconowny |La canpotitian dull. othe archiltels “7 Be nae eae secttusmnuedelhasee, isothers (tle SufedUndoy Sumilay mgels) =—etatoret Chat et pe eneinptt.of © Te bey *® te Kealisahien of a ren) role fev public arcdulecture 15 an alteyalne nud based om s @y Gene Mefovwr biel elelsnasarlularyavd *e ob Shuctr bithianclues ard www Poses OL Shuictuhe - based arcoefibralireprcples (b) ForgingShongCechrucalandpleticalwerlonrglinksvoit Olay Avredlinatirurlsed dn te ae ¥ buildings, suchas bee—lEea,hosingqfecen|heey workeo tikes i CHSIB B1(Ajp) By oeeI | Ville: foto Proisiar al Aes pad Seytees , trade Unions dfar- the claw ann rbouldbe 4 create Unteqatidpublic 9 dudlnig mel aceoumnbaletoeouraiodllinenrson a (gal Lam. This wislel to dehtrdodt calloetedé actiar of avtulll® and fle wert ae acting D tins We UALCO and TA SS 7 bot, Us lanyploutnbohi throug. Shong tnlaAirciplonay ound Gucci oprrotin Subsfartal nor tix thar rection — RE erewecoranarnnre: ena anchitidined “Professional ‘ merely ; cumey)of private avclalirel : badly pln Murer) and Bal malt. are tmaltahad aretulich hadeuUnuaustsmApearNA EPOCs 6Og BABaIaciap Te)Tesiferia Ge clincuniFnigne Gussanc offppiats action atte wil. Me arnclelitiel pads undtausts ho act» tede tier aco jfotiltcal Le Solupe-T | a ime wn eanrpangus agennsh EY up fhe | Bee stjp cn at Seto> ie eel beelund Te cul > ee ww publec Lovitz , ab in, Reegh Sucl. : | Ln plenad soar Ce WS niglek ttl be 1] belt» eln Muvar{ Bob Male. a. lie “hs elgihsse one ai paie aeNarecalaty14YO, Interim Proposals and tenants. my the his hi To achieve an effective Public Design Service the NAM Public Design Group proposes local authority design and build teams which are area based and which will be accouritable to users ¥ DESIGN TEAMS SHOULD BE AREA BASED INSTEAD OF FUNCTION BASED. We suggest the following interim proposals which are feasible now and which create the potential for further change : td LOCAL AREA CONTROL OVER RESOURCES. AREA DESIGN TEAMS SHOULD BE MULTIDISCIPLINARY. JOB ARCHITECTS SHOULD REPORT DIRECTLY TO COMMITTEE. z : * " ABOLISH POSTS BETWEEN TEAM LEADER AND CHIEF ARCHITECT. = ESTABLISH JOINT WORKING GROUPS WITH DIRECT LABOUR ORGANISATIONS. For further information contact : Public Design Group New Architecture Movement 9 Poland Street London W 1 — aes van” estimofatthee|feature :re ultimatepatieoftheschemeassome ilese 1 sure ofthe value oftt 1 t 4 INTERIM PROPOSALS: _1, LOCAL AREA CONTROL OVER RESOURCES Since control over design cannot be separated from control over the resources of land and finance, changes are required in the formal counci] structure to enable control to be exercised at community level. Although counicllors are elected on an area basis they serye on function-based committees (housing, education) which have contro] over the expenditure of money on the provisioonf services across the whole local authority area, Real local needs tend to be subordinated to an assumed general interest. The role of a councillor as a committee member therefore may be in conflict with his or her role as a representative of a local interest, In order that local area interests are safeguarded, jt js suggested that a further tier be added below the main functional committees (c.f. neighbourhood councils), These would be area committees consisting of representatives of loca] tenants and residents organisations, local councillors and trade unionists, The size of the area would obviously be a matter for discussion. These committees should deal with al] council] matters relating to their area and would consequently relate to several or a]| of the main function-based committees, They should have powers of recommendation and of veto in their relationship to the main committees, They should brief architects and have power of approval over designs and standards, 2. DESIGN TEAMS SHOULD BE AREA-BASED INSTEAD OF FUNCTION-BASED So that they can relate to Jocal area committees and the requirements of local people, The present arrangement of function-based architectural teams servicing function-based client committees and departments has two major disadvantages. Firstly, in providing a service within this structure, architects are isolated from the people who will use their buiidings. Architects work on a Borough- wide basis, and people's needs and wishes, insofar as they are taken me as |alloc neas some/ allo 1fesch re",At Teenie Vitoyoravtet (American) tutors": ang | Goesm't catch his real atfec- remember, I'ma fan. had been invited to make .anyMors©5)and”9)tionforMarcarntiasRuatuadlinBiessenbos.csncninAstilsneeileal \ A —_— into account at all, are averaged out and presented to the architect in briefing guides as criteria to be designed for in much the same way as are site constraints. The total constitutes a design problem and the concept of the a-political officer paid to solve technical problems is thus reinforced, Similarly the professional ideology of individual architects expressing themselves in their designs is sustained, of that action. the recipient of decisions by others. P 218 CUSIB 81(Ajp) AJ30 January 1980 Secondly, this system creates a "closed circuit"! method of liaison. For the architect; architect-client department- client committee. It is illogical as well as difficult to break this circle to relate to local residents or even loca] councillors. The public also find this organisational] boundary virtually impregnable, They are vulnerable to officia] action yet the boundary renders the officers immune to the consequence It should be noted that the term ''area based team'' as distinct from ''function based team'' does not necessarily mean that the team is located in an area, ([t merely means that a team is responsible for the work in an area. As such, it would offer the architects a variety of types of project. It would also enable them to initiate action in their area instead of being 3. AREA DES|GN TEAMS SHOULD BE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY AND SHOULD HAVE AROUND TWELVE MEMBERS AS A SUGGESTED OPTIMUM : 4. JOB ARCHITECTS (and other team members) SHOULD REPORT DIRECTLY TO COMMITTEE The term multi-disciplinary would in the local authority context include planners and valuers as well as the more usual design team members such as quantity surveyors and engineers. Each job architect and team member should be responsible directly to the committee for the work he or she carries out, In this way PARRACTELORRIOeee) aeaena not only will committee members relate to the person actually producing the work, but job architects will be aware that they work in a political forum as well as a technica] one, 5. ABOLISH POSTS BETWEEN GROUP LEADER AND CHIEF ARCHITECT Group leaders should become responsible directly to the area committee and thus to the Council for the collective work of the group, The chief architect would then perform a co-ordinating role amongst the groups, similar to the role performed by the elected leader of the counc!] vis-a-vis committees, Occupants of redundant posts to be found a more usefu] role in the new structure. It is envisaged that in the future group Jeaders shou]d be subject | to election by their group and that the chief architect should be elected from amongst group leaders, with periodic change built in. lt should be noted that the present vertical structuring of the - architects departments stemmed from the late |9th Century private practice model, That is, from a form of practice compriseodf one | principal and a small number of apprentices, The largest practices of that time had one partner and around 25 apprentices. As private practices grew so did the number of partners, each being equally responsible under Partnership Law, (A common ratio of partner to staff is 1:15), In public practice the concept of one chief remained so that when the chief architect became responsible to the council for the actions of more than 100 staff, intermediate grades were introduced whose sole function was to contro] the job architect, Theirs is a non-design function and their status is dependent on increasing the proportion of procedural and managerial matters. under their control, They form an effective boundary between job architect and chief architect, let alone between job architect and counci]lor or job architect and user. en trern Ree primesse ne 218 <5 a — + ---- 2ne epee rr L Leeratenripeniveentxignh apt Rae ee otal” and more ominously, ne “con= Uinues, ‘perhaps an estimate of the ultimate value of the scheme as some measure ofthe value ofthescheme’, At| ected Imanotner sipmiticancrmmncnnr-ae! feature ofhis proposals that although| ho allocations of capital expenditure will be | m; made, as before, under five mair Rca mand . ren SS 218 YE, ~ee se~ departments. CISEB 81(Ajp) a —; 6. ESTABLISH JOINT WORKING GROUPS WITH DLOS To ‘consider how toachieve better designed, constructed and maintained buildings. In the longer term it is envisaged that separate professional teams should disappear in favour of design and build teams within the service of the local authority rather than within the building contractors! organisation, Summary: it is clear that many if not all, of these proposals could be put Into effect fairly readily, \t may be noted that in at least two London Boroughs, proposals similar to these are being actively discussed as departments of architecture are re-organised, These proposals are seen as part of a continuing process of democratisation of local government, without which a lasting communi ty architecture is not possible. They are not seen as a final solution but are offered as practical proposals applicable at this stage. The next stage in the development of these ideas is to widen this discussion to include representatives of tenants, local councils, relevant questions which should be considered but which are outside the scope of this report. e.g. * The relationships between architects and other council] i central] government and NALGO and other public sector unions, In advocating these proposals it is recognised that there are other * Devolution of power from central to Jocal government, particularly in relation to the control over building finance at present exercised by central government departments, ——S es AJ30January1980 Pr. woure-ve-tae value Of thescheme” At |m aaa i ere ns for ESeas aer itare2WiW.bemargin1aloracciidentaloverspending”. » under five main | The new broad controls on capital NtaterAtLtOT 19. pendence to elect a -—+—How the RIBA for m of building contract dictates the relationship between architect and building worker by separating design and construction, how this is necessary in the public sector, and how a new gement could be evolved to facilitate the on of local authority design and build teams. un arran format tectural education, including abour Party proposals for The role played by archi further discussion of the L overcoming the present sectar bias. (3)- jan and private practice Sreagcaas-—- ae: owe ontrols on AJ 30) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AJ, BD, NAM Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Murray Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1978-1980 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/8e811e981db21d99aa428adbb673559b.pdf 1ac8bb526d8ce9a03adfe1bdf6abc91f https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/e93c8c35f2a1ed1a98e2ed61a78e24cd.pdf d7dde0af57b8d3d89fe89e765cde9025 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Group Description An account of the resource Argued that it was only through the public sector that the majority of people could have access to the land and resources needed for housing, education and other essential services. The task was therefore to reform the practice of architecture in local councils to provide an accessible and accountable design service. The Public Design Group proposed reforms to the practice of architecture in local councils to provide a design service accessible and accountable to local people and service users. The following 6 Interim Proposals were developed which were later initiated and implemented in Haringey Council 1979-1985 by NAM members. <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Local area control over resources </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Design teams to be area based </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Area design teams to be multi-disciplinary </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Project architects to report directly to committee</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Abolish posts between Team Leader and Chief Architect </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Joint working groups with Direct Labour Organisations</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Press Cuttings Subject The topic of the resource Various Press Cuttings about public architecture, many demonstrating the profession's hostility to local authority architect departments (3 files) Description An account of the resource ae 2 CG Auk public S2¢ev Fess Ct ane - | Aete eee Qit2" expensive than development’, has given the WCC con- sent rather than pointing out the error of its ways. One of the many curious reasons the Secretary of State gives, in his letter of consent, is that he ‘. ..is aware that the city council have no intention of rehabilitating the buildings and there is no evidence that any other agency having the necessary resources would be willing to do so’. Indeed, he feels that the ‘result of his refusing listed building consent would be the continuing decay of the listed buildings and the perpetuation of unsatisfactory conditions on the site [which] also aggravates local housing needs’. The local Amenity Association had, in its submis- sion to the inquiry, shown that the housing could be rchabilit- ated to provide housing for between 158 to 184 persons. WCC would build housing but has not yet produced a scheme. Public sector architects’ efficiency under scrutiny A major study of public sector architecture has been started by the RIBA. Sparked off by increasingly strong attacks on local authority offices, the study will look at the architects work in public authorities. It will make recommendations on ways in which the profession’s skills can be used most effectively. The RIBA has asked more than 200 local authorities, nation- alised industries, new towns and government bodies to submit evidence. The study will be carried out by a four-man steering group chaired by Gordon Graham. The other members are Thurston Williams, Bob Giles, John Wells-Thorpe and Patrick Harrison. They plan to complete the report by next summer. Launching the study last week, Gordon Graham commented that he saw the issue as being of vital concern to the whole profession. Not only does the public sector employ half of the RIBA’s UK membership, but it accounts for one-third of private architects’ workload as well. Graham repudiated what he called the “travesty of the truth put about by some people who should know better’, a refer- ence to GLC housing supremo George Tremlett at the RIBA conference in Liverpool. Instead, he claimed that the bureau- cratic features of some public offices weren’t always a very suitable environment for the creative role of designers. Awards for conservation Howell Mill at Llanddeusant, Anglesey. Maladministration in Aberdeen | ‘The people of our country are aware of their heritage and have rightly become steadily more determined that needless destruction shall be stopped and that the effects of neglect be made good,’ said Secretary of State for the Environment Peter Shore when handing over this year’s Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’/The Times conservation award (see ‘DOE reverse on rehab’, p198). The competition, the subject of which was the restoration and reuse of industrial premises, was divided into two categories: industrial and related premises preserved for further indus- trial use, and industrial premises converted to educational or recreational use with public access permitted. A total of 50 entries were received with the Howell Mill at Llanddeusant, Anglesey, winning the first category prize and the Gladstone Pottery museum at Longton, Staffordshire, winning the second category prize. The Howell Mill is the only remaining working mill relying entirely on water power in north Wales. The architect for the work was N. Squire Johnson. The Gladstone works is the last remaining Victorian pottery factory. It was on the point of demolition when a Trust was formed to buy and convert it into a museum. The architects for the scheme were size unacceptable. However, the planning department mis- Green, Campbell Wainwright and Parmers. takenly gave the applicant—the Grampian Health Board— The second prize in the latter category was won by the Farm- the go-ahead and, to compound this error, failed to advertise ham Maltings, Farnham, Surrey, and the third prize by the the decision. Locals, who later objected to the scheme, only Worsborough Mill museum, Barnsley, Yorkshire. There were knew about the proposals when men arrived on Site to begin The Architects’ Journal 2 August 1978 199 no runners-up in the category won by the Howell Mill. The judges were Brigadier T. F. J. Collins of Essex County Council, Richard Harris of The Times and Michael Wright, editor of Country Life. Aberdeen District Council has been found guilty of maladmin- istration by the local government Ombudsman because of a ‘series of errors and omissions’ by its planning department. An office development application involving the building of an extension on to alisted building in Queens Terrace, which is in a central Aberdeen conservation area, was tumed down by the planning committee because it considered its design and “sg Sisto TRADA’s new building at High Wycombe was opened last week (AF 10.11.76 p879). As one would expect it isa largely timber building (designed by Geoffrey Hawkins in collaboration with TRADA architects). The view above shows the new building with the conference room in the centre: the site slopes steeply and the timber frame construction has adapted with a minimum of excavation. A curious feature of the building is the roof. Instead of the usual granite chippings the flat roof is covered with turf which protects the roof membrane from sunlight and insulates it. In brief Commercial development for Epsom Renton Howard Wood Levin’s scheme for a commercial development in the centre of Epsom, Surrey, has been accepted by the town council. The scheme, which covers a site of about 4-05 hectares, retains the existing frontage on the main streets bounding the site and includes a new shopping mall, car park, offices and some housing. The developers are the Dutch based firm of Brodero. Leeds at the World Congress A project by a Leeds Polytechnic architectural student— Howard Wainwright—has won its way to final judging in a competitiontobeheldduringtheWorldCongressofArchi- tects in Mexico City in October. The theme of the competition is the design of a local government complex to serve a popula- tion of up to 50 000. AONBs to be studied The Countryside Commission is to carry out a two year study into the effectiveness of designating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as a means of conserving and improving land- scape. Don’t monitor planning, says RTPI The RTPI strongly opposes the Government’s proposal to introduce assessors to monitor the planning system. Tony Eddison, chairman of RTPI’s External Affairs Committee, wrote to Peter Shore recently suggesting that the system is already extensively monitored. The planners’ public accounta- bility is already high, he believed: through the ombudsman, public inquiries, the press and community groups. New London region chairman The RIBA London region has elected J. Maxwell Hutchinson to be its new chairman. He has already been chairman of the North-East Thames Architectural Society and of the London Environment Group. The Harkness Fellowships Twenty fellowships are offered each year for 12 to 21 months of study and travel in the United States. They are open to UK citizens in any profession or field of study whose secondary and further education (or equivalent professional experience) has been wholly or mainly in the United Kingdom. Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age on 1 September 1979, unless qualified in medicine or employed in the Civil Service or the media, in which cases the upper age limit is 33. Appli- cation forms from The Harkness Fellowships (UK), Hark- ness House, 38 Upper Brook Street, London, W1Y 1PE (en- close sae for 16p). Five schemes win awards The five winning schemes for BBC Nationwide’s Pride of Place competition are: the town of Portsoy by Banff District Council; Cofferidge Close, Stony Stratford, by Milton Keynes Development Corporation; the West Bank Community Scheme, Widnes, by Halton District Council architect’s depart- ment; a land reclamation scheme at Halkyn, Clwyd, by the Halkyn Countryside Committee; and parts of Poole (old and new town), Dorset, by Poole Council architect’s department. Prizes appropriate to cach scheme will be devised later. a the hall and its 77-acre estate (all now owned by the Peter- borough Development Corporation) include spending £1 mil- lion repairing and converting the hall, stable block and gate- house into offices and buildings for recreational use, and £100 000 restoring the formal gardens and stocking the park with deer, rare animals and new trees. i IEESSSSSSSS iveniios PPceeet OCNELEAGSAFEESIT Bspeepe 200 The Architects’ Journal 2 August 1978 construction. When the council finally discovered its mistake it decided that, since a tender had already been accepted, it was too late to stop work. Although construction began over a year ago the extension has sull not been completed because the contractor has gone out of business. Hotel and clinic for grounds of historic house Plans to build an hotel, clinic and sports facilities in the grounds of the grade I listed Thorpe Hall, near Peterborough, are causing great concem among historians and local residents. The Friends of Thorpe Hall, which was built in 1645 by Peter Mills and is one of the most important surviving common- wealth houses in the country, ‘are concerned that [the devel- opment] will min the magnificent views now obtained of Thorpe Hall from Longthorpe Parkway’ and that the hotel and clinic ‘would be completely out of character with the rest of the conservation area’. The Friends also ask in their letter of objection to the city council that ‘if this sort of development is allowed within a conservation area then what isn’t permit- ted?’ As well as the city council, which is now considering the proposals put forward by the Bell Industrial Trust Ltd, the Friends have also written to the DOE demanding a public inquiry. In addition to an hotel and clinic the developer’s proposals for Decline in members could force SAAT out of existence THE Society of Architectural and Associated Technicians warned last week that it could be forced out of existence if a move is not made to boost falling membership. The Warning came from SAAT’S vice-chairman, George Lowe, at the society’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh comparable to the 20 000-odd of in parallel but different the RIBA. In the ‘theady days’* Streams.” of 1967/68 the level reached a Lowe added that the other peak of 6000 and has since fields included industry, been slowly declining. It now commercial forms, the catering stands at about 4 500. Lowe suggested that the policy Of recruiting members Lowe explained that of the 700 or so HNC students who almost entirely from private and could qualify for membership public architects’ offices and that the extension of OF SAAT cach year, only about contracting firms created *‘a @ quarter tried to join the society. His statistics were based on a survey carried out on 1973/74 “It is possible that if the massive shortfall between those taking HNC examinations and those who seck SAAT wrong place for our members, qualifications are not resolved, but it iy fairly certain that by the Society may cease to be concentrating on the more usual viable within a few years,” he and professionally ‘legitimate’ Warned field we have ignored and The society was set up in therefore failed to gain 1965, at which time its initiators advantage from those who hoped for a membership work outside the establishment Bexley tenants get a say in house design THE prospective tenants of “The idea is that we will be able seven council houss in Bexley to hear something about 1, will be allowed people's personal preferences, say in their design under although we hope they won't be a plan put forward by the frustrated if they're told what When youve seen one ofour wall clocks borough council If the scheme wins the approval of the DoE, with Which itisnow beme discussed the council’s architects will hold meetines with the people inhabitants will have some say nvolved to consider how theyy over depend on the outcome of Want to influencthee design the talks with DoE. Bexley’s The houses are all three- scheme is similar to one bedroomed and are duc to start introduced by Haringey next year. Assistant borough Council where tenants are also architectKennethMechansaidinvinodeslignvdisecusdsions Italso happens to be a splendid way of introducing you to the next big advantage. The variety. Because not just content to produce a design for every possible purpose, most of the ECS Wall Clock models are available in different versions and sizes. Thus some can be wall mounted and others fitted flush, without changing the overall look. This combination of mounting variations, overall sizes, and choice of movements together with al the different styled dials, means that ECS offer you one of the most comprehensive ranges possible. In addition to this range of wall clocks ECS can also offer Day and Date clocks, Digital clocks, Mahogany Calendar clocks, and ifyou really want to be ahead ofthe times, the unique Teleclock, which receives its accuracy from a Swiss radio beam. We also make clocks Developing ideas on Portman operations involved and the committee tended towards leniency. Nevertheless as the rules now stand an architect is theoretically in jeaopardy if he designs his own house and sells it to somebody soon alter Portman operates three companies the RIBA audience was told. One offers complete “I WOULD love to be able to design services with architects, be a developer”’ said architect services men, engineers but Keith Scott at the RIBA talk- not quantity surveyors who in on US architect/developer are as unknown in the US as John Portman on Tuesday in Europe, Another supplies Speaking after the RIBAJ furnishing and fittings and the editors had given a brief slide third is a development and and movie show of Portman’s management company. In this work — omitting an interview way he is able to do what which the noise of Portman’s British architects would like to air conditioning had ruined do — control the whole Scott was opening a discussion process of building from about architect developers. berinning tolend, though not He pointed out that the actual construction of Portman exploited a loophole buildings in the American Institute's Eric Lyons tartly pointed code Less a loophole than the out that architects were no less AITA’s stipulation that its susceptible fo corruption members can act as architect than anybody else and one ex developers providing they architect, ex-developer asked have equity in the Scott why he didn't leave the development (‘participating RIBA and 20 ahead and members” as the Americans develop anyway put it). They would thus be The question nobody effectively their own clients asked is how seven Veurs of and there was no conflict of learning how to put buildings interest together particularly fitted Developer cases brought architects to enter the complex before the RIBA disciplinary world of high finance and committee were said to be hotel and office occupancy judged on the scale of prediction “So what exactly.have you got in mind? philosophy of narrow and debilitating exclusiveness” There were other related areas where members could be recruited membership in the mainstream is limited — indeed the opposite has proved to be the case. There seems to be only one way to look, and that isoutwards.” trade, property companies and service organisations Tony Lodge, a former SAAT chairman, sugeested at the meeting that technicians cligible for membership could also be found in the computer field and the North Sea oil industry Lowe concluded; “‘It is clear News rd provide a vernacular touch to this scheme for 42 units designed by “IL is not true to suggest that For a full report, see News in Green Lloyd and Adams for the G: ess Trust, The homes are situated on the Kings Road in Chelsea not a brick’s we have been looking in the Focus, page 6. throw from Eric Lyons’ Worlds End scheme. The “chimneys” contain vent pipes, ven jon ducts ete, not fMues. they want isn’t permitted by the Building Regulations Derails of exactly what aspects of the desien the future you havent seen them al. Remember, most models in our range can be adapted to run either from the mains, from to order, incorporating company namestyles a battery, or as part of the ECS Quartz master clock system. Which at the same time means saying goodbye to any power source restrictions that may hitherto have been hindering your ideas about installation. and symbols. And so the listgoes on. You'll find al the details listed in our many specification sheets on the subject. Send to the address below. ECS Wall Clocks. They’re al time greats. ECS ENGLISH CLOCK SYSTEMS Industime House, Chase Road, Park Royal, London NW/10 6QI Telephone: 01-965 9011 Also at Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Gliggow For instant information tick on reader inquiry card UI |The weklynewspaperforthebuildingteam_ Pia a Why people prefer to buy new homes TTT by FEBRUARY 6, 1976 Metric madness “THE imposition of the metric system upon usby doctrinaire dictators, completely out of touch with people, is a dis- ceful, insensitive act” — trick O'Keefe launches a full-scale attack on metrica- tion. Page 12. [faaeseea Crisis City EIGHTEEN leading archi- tects have examined the spects for the furure ofDublin and their views are brought together under the title, Dub- lin: a City in Crisis Neil Steedman looks at the results. Page 10 — 1. Systems guide BD pull-out product code chart on housing systems — sce page England's Ist limited competition winner THE design (above) for a new HQ for the Avon division of the Severn-Trent Water Authority is the winner in the first limited regional design competition held in England. HN Jepson & Partners of Nuneaton was the winning ractice out of six local firms invited to submit designs. Sponsored by the Water Authority and organised by the RIBA’s West Midlands Region, the competition took six weeks from briefing to as- sessment. Freeson also revealed in*his (Gon, Melton). Ereeson, said @ Qurmide commissiforntshe By Paul Finch there were now 679 staff in th PSA increased by 30 per cent answer that a “comprehensive Directorate, 44 of whom were in the period January to Sep- A PACE-SETTING review” of the Directorate architects. There were 490 ar- tember 1975, compared with A ‘Architect's office aims at better standards PSA GETS NEW DESIGN TEA “designoffice”with- General’s responsibility for technical development work chitectsinthePSAasawhole. thesameperiodin1974. The new London City Mis- sion, rising from the ashes of the 18th century church of St John Horsleydown, in the Property Ser- vices Agency has been created as part ture work is “closely concen- are called architects and not This was to ensure that fu- Ayon division managing of moves to improve trated on clearly identifiable P&TOs. This was one of the director Alan Harker said the design standards. needs.” Better machinery has competition, which has a prize been set up for giving guidance of the commission for the Thecreationoftheoffice on Cas issued within the project, “brought out a was'"a recommendation agency, he said, and the PSA fices should not be used except could contribute to im- pofenent io ofthe Index : tremendous range of solu- from Environment Secre- Board was now considering tions.” He described the win- tary Anthony Crosland in how to “provide for evaluation ning design as “deceptively response to the Matthew/ and monitoring of design mat- simple” and fitting well on the Skillington report on ters at top management level” site. promotion of high stan- more effectively. More detailed designs Freeson said although it was as integral of design teams, and that partial com- missions should be stopped — have been half-implemented. public awareness of issues Inquiry Service 16, Dateline Freeson said action was be- ing taken to ensure close inte- should be ready within four dards of Government ar- too early to assess the work of gration of the work of drawing affecting the quality of the 17, Appointments 18 — 19. built environment.” ai cege. Today,morethaneverbefore, Wilton Works, Shepperton Rd. you lok forefficiency and unbeatable London N1 3DG. Tel: 01-226 6455. months, work should start by chitectural design. the Directorate, “I am sure that offices and design teams, but it Set up under thecontrol of the measures being taken will had proved impossible to September this year and the the Director General of Design help to foster* professional abandon partial commissions. Services, architect Dan Lacey, morale and stimulate the “Bur when work isput out to headquarters should be oc- cupied, by 300 staff currently scattered throughout the divi- the multi-disciplinary team is quality of design work in the consultants, the achievement sion, within two years. West Midlands region agency.” Replying to further ques- tions from Michael Latham Anthony Crosland last March, he said it would be a “pace- setter” in the PSA, and that its work would provide apractical basis for guidance and advice ONLY 1 per cent of those to the agency’s general design work. Ina Parliamentary reply this chairman Alan Robinson said he hoped this would be the first of many such limited competitions in England. from within the PSA. When the idea of the design designed to produce quick re- office was put forward by Pioncered in Scotland, they are sults, and to give the promoter a direct say in choosing the winner. Repair row: who choose to buy a brand new house do so because itiseasier to get a mortgage, says a mar- and that everyone wanted the council fined week, Housing and Construc- ket research report published largest living area possible. headed by another architect, Geoffrey Woodward. He and the other five senior members of the design office already recruited have all come of good design is always a major consideration in arrang- ing a commission,” he said. The survey found that the overall size of the kitchen was not as important as the layout and other specialist functions has been carried out. @ The DoE’s Environment Board has set up three groups under Sir Hugh ilson, Alfred Wood and Professor which was bombed durin; Peter Hall to “study further the Battle of Britain. Page 7. ways in which the Department tion Minister Reg Freeson said this week. Most indicated that there THE LONDON Borough of the future programme of the could never be too much stor- Lambeth had to pay out more new unit andthe staff needed Nearly 50 per cent of those age space in a house; 80 per Potter Rax Limited, Dept than £200 this week and was orderedtorepairacouncil out. because they are cheaper. Other important reasons for choosing new over old, the report says, are suitability and specity.That'swhy Raxscoretimeand Birminghars edmorethanthreebedrooms. againwithsizeablecontractsfor BraatnBascinghstokee(s4580). Carcitf house after pleading guilty in a case brought by one of its ten- ants. Nearly fifty per cent regarded central heating as essential in their first home. Ninety per centthoughtthatagaragewas andtodeliveronschedulemakes He said new titles for professional staff are being considered so that architects Matthew/Skillington recom- mendations, Others — thatdrawing of- for it are now being worked who buy new houses do so cent of those questioned want- value formoney ineverything you Telex 264354 Existing resources will be redeployed to create whatever is decided. Apart from Wood- folding shutter doors and collapsible gatesinmajorpublicworks. Our capacity to custombuild with great precision to any size, in any ‘quantity — {021-558 2211). Bath (0225-23171). (0222-24771), Manchester (061-205 2018). Glasgow (041-332 0411), Southampton Cork (04-893 2284), Belfast (0232-669552), (52358), Dubin (62139) Agentsthrowghouttheworks. design, lack of choice of an The verdict followed last ward,theotherfivemembers olderhousewithintheirprice of the design office comprise two architects, a qs, civil en- gineer and M&E engineer. essential or desirable. The report, by Research weck’s High Court decision that local authorities which al- lowed their properties to fal into such disrepair as to become a statutory nuisance may be charged with acriminal offenceandfinedupto£200. agency’swork,”butwillbe edtobuyamucholderhouse, ofEngland.Itisavailablefor resistantdoor—allmade-to-measure The design office is intend- ed to undertake “a significant representative sample of the “Many respondents did not like the design of houses built in the immediate post-war period. They ultimately want- Consult usfor folding sliding shutter doors, roller shutters and grilles, range and ease of maintenance orrepairs. Associates, was based on 12 group discussions with 100 irst-time new house buyers in the North Midlands and South us highly competitive in today's conditions. The comprehensive nature ofourexpertiseisalsoatellingfactor Lambethhadtopayafineof concentrating initiallyonde- butuntilthiswasfinancially £85 from The Radfords, foryouropenings. £50, £105 compensation for signing the PSA’s new possible they preferred the de- Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 damage to clothes caused by headquarters, which will be sign of new houses,” says the 8DJ. Telephone Stone (078 the collapse of a ceiling and built in Teesside under the 583) 3164/5. £66 costs, dispersal programme. report. ® on reader inquiry form uilt environment, both for green field development and in Sean existing built-up areas; and to consider the scope for greater Week 9, v collapsible gates and altypes offire- y iv Perpecu e e7, r io 9, Week by lucts 14, Reader e 7, I Int n ter- For doors that match ernne ‘Some of the Rax sliding folding shutter doors supplied for the Main Transport Workshop, Creekside, Deptford for the London Borough of Lewisham. Contractors Ws: Simms Sons & Cooke (Southern) Ltd. Borough Surveyor:J. W. Turner. 8Bee ae out by Dr lain Clark of St Luke's Hospital at Guildford. The full report is expected to be criminating against certain a this summer by periods ofarchitecture — Dr Clark began his particularly Victorian — in its Grade 1 list of historic buildings. According to investigations carried out on behalf of SAVE, i The new London head office of NAM address change THE address of the New Architecture Movement has changed to 9 Poland Street, London, W1. Membership is£5 for working members and £2 for unemployed and students, not £1 as stated in BD last week. Dramatic talk y Vic Tapner country houses listed as Grade 1 are Victorian. also notably absent. Other about £5 million and building work | The application has come tertainment facilities are en- started in August 1975. Completio: from architects Gray Associates visaged. inbalancesinthesystemwouldIsexpectedincarly1978.eeeofWindsor,actingfortheirSofaronlyanoutlineplandancyif.cutbackmeasures come to light when his own lists Client: Banque Nationale de Paris, clients Craftroad Ltd which was has been _ Submitted and being considered by the council were complete, he said. Architect: Fitzroy Robinson and | set up several years ago to Southend District Council has are implemented. Most of the “Though the Victorian period saw the building of more palatial and prodigious country houses than any previous period, officialdom has been slow, indeed grudging in theatres and railways.” appreciating their worth,” says SAVE. The criticism accompanies Make the most the release of the initial fin- dings of a three-year research said, the listing system was too Dr Iain Clark. programme into Grade 1 ised) upgraded Mentmeoreitealf fram buildings in England carried Grade 2 to Grade 1.” jayman's study “basically SOUTHEND councillors were The project would en- Theatre” on March 30 at the William Street, London which was yesterday considering a compass a total area of 200 ha. Kingston Branch of the RIBA. THE trend to community wagon which is inevitably architecture is continuing with attracting many architects in the establishment of a new search of work.” organisation called “‘Support’’. set up hard on the heels of the work in Support is based on direct relationships with people Architecture Working Group, on the ground. There is a need RIBA’s Community consists of people with ar- to redefine ways of working.” Hinsley added that there was who want to work outside no formal membership, but a traditional professional loose organisation working to hitectural and building skills methods Support says its aims are to a structure had _ been promote socially responsible deliberately avoided to retain work and to help the majority flexibility. of people who have no control over the built environment they office in The Clerkenwell live in. Although it is London- Workshops, 27 Clerkenwell based it intends to work with Close, London EC1. community organisations helping deprived social groups in all parts of the country. Demolition error Where particular projects need specialist advice Support THE Environment Secretary, will contact an expert to help. Peter Shore, has admitted he In the long term Support wants made a mistake in authorising to establish new skills like demolition of a building in support each other. Too formal King’s Lynn which contained Unlike many other “‘com- Norman arches hidden behind participatory design. munity architecture” groups Support will be involved directly with those it is working for. In its first newsletter re- discovered after demolition had leased this week Support says: started. King’s Lynn Preser- “Community architecture is vation Trust disputed this rapidly becoming a fashionable earlier this week. A spokesman expression. It is used by groups told BD a letter containing as disparate as ARC and the photographic evidence had All this and more from the world’s largest manufacturer of decorative products. Make the most of us—ring Freefone 6067 for literature and further information. Support is establishing an the facade. Shore told the Commons last Make the most of Crown’s vast product range nts Specifier— invaluable for tricky specification week their existence was only Banque Nationale de ParisTieiiol Britain's largest marina planned SIR Denys Lasdun is to give a was “topped out” last week. The illustrated talk on “Architec- new building is on the site of the bank’s old headquarters inKing tural aspects of the National through curiosity” and an demolished in February 1975 and planning application fora huge Two harbour walls would be interestintheownershipofproviadgerossareaof7800sqm.commercial/housingbuilt—onealongsidethe historic buildings. He told BD Expanded foreign exchange development on 90 ha of remains of Southend’s fire- that Victorian buildings were capacity, improved staff accommo. reclaimed land off the seafront, ruined pier — to enclose the not the only ones to be dation and catering facilities are The mecting begins at 7.30pm in the Main Lecture Theatre, Kingston Polytechnic, Penrhyn Road, Kingston. Council cuts mere” 1 of the 780 overlooked in the Grade 1 list. Included in the new development, combined with what would be reclaimed land and water area. Non-conformist chapels were The original contract was worth Britain's largest marina. Housing, shops and en- More than 100 workers in Barnsley Council's building department could face redun: On the question of Victorian Partners. Main contractor: Sir pursue the possibility of marina Set up a special sub committee workers are involved with major buildings, he said: ‘I don’t Robert McAlpine. think there is any other category in the list which has as few as 11, expect perhaps In total he has looked at 38000 Grade 1“‘items’’, which often include groups of buildings. At the moment, he development in the area. to consider it. capital projects. random and he hoped that his report would give a clearer overall picture tothe committees who drew up the lists. In reply to the claim of discrimination against the Victorian period, the DoE has told SAVE: “It is quite untrue to say that there is any prejudice among Ministers or in the DoE against Victorian buildings... we_ recently Hugo Hinsley, one of the The group, which has been organisers, told BD: ‘Most RIBA.Itisimportantthatour beensenttotheDoEbeforethe problems.ManathemostoftheCrown crown work and ideas can be building came down, but no Crown Decorative Products Ltd., PO. Box 37, Darwen, Lancs. BB3 0BG distinguished from this band- action was taken. scheming on major projects and specialist technical advice on any decorative problem, Building Design, London SE18, Every Friday. Copyright 1977 Morgan: Grampian (Construction Press) Lid. 7, For instant information tick on reader inquiry card Printed by Huthweite Printing Co. Lid, Sutton-in-Ashfield Nottinghamshire. Registereads a newspaper at the Post Utnce. YP est by Are Fimseting, London EC1. works with you NEWS IN BRIEF Apprentice decline THE number of apprentices entering the construction industry through the National Joint Council scheme fell from 13093 in 1975 to 11336 in 1976, accordin t NEBTE. g to the Victorian period discriminated against by DoE THE DoE was criticised this week by the conservation organisation SAVE for dis- Ii Community design group established jobs. Make the_special paints for special colour range-ineat of the B.S. 4800 Crown Eggshell aswell as Gloss and Matt Emulsion. Make the ureau-free colour most of the Crown Pai Decorative Advisory B If you wish to communicate urgent news, contact Vic Tapner on BD Newsdesk 01-855 7777 Construction professions needrevamp — Labour NEC A NUMBER of radica atic indemnity scheme AdministeremA by the institutes and reforms in the construction the insurance industry.” Each professions and a move Ace ce would be insured against towards greater standard- liability for defectsin larger projects isation in design have been nd would require a special bond called for by the Labour for “more ambitious” schemes. A firm could be promoted to a higher Party National Executive experience level only after it had A GROUP of prominent architects, artists and writers occupied these near derelict early 18th century houses in Elder Street, Spitalfields, East London last week in an llth hour bid to stop further demolition and protect five other house in the row to negotiate with the prospective owners of the site, the Newlon Housing Association, about saving the houses when they redevelop on and around the plot. This should protect the rest of the street, which could also fall into disrepair and need eventual demolition. Committee completed several bonded schemes The proposals, which also Aesthetic quality should be improved by holding more design include a blunt demand for competitions public ownership of the con To improve cost control, quantity Struction industry, will be put surveyors “who at present do little before the 1977 Annual Labour more than translate design draw Party Conference in Brighton ings into qua antitics of materials” next month The document makes the following five major recom mendations for changes in the professions Professional education should be abody representingt of the industry a possibly the Construction Industry Training board. The currentsyste narrow, giving inadequ onboth to production m technical independent of the The document also reiterates the Labour Party demand for a Public Procurement Agency to co-ordinate the letting of public sector contracts. There should also be more use made of continuity and serial contracts The document adds: “Both systems require substantial similarity between successive projects, and therefore create a need for greater standardisation in design. this need not mean uniformity the use of standard building plans, simple construction details and a restricted range of fixtures, fittings and components can allow standardisation in production without uniformity in appearance.” The NEC advances a three point plan for public ownership of the industry which is needed socially, to improve working conditions and practices and to critical path d to the wide: 7 social context of professional we Co-ordination of projects should be improved by setting up Regulatory Board for Contracts Procedures and [ which would lay n rd forms of contract and resolve contractual disputes Contact Dennis Punter for Purpose Built's approach to housing today. Licensing arrangements and overseas enquiries welcomed Purpose Built Ltd., treatment and modular fabrication give Burnt Tree House, PURPOSE BUILT Technical competence should be more firmly controlled by creating Comments to the proposals: The National Federation of Building Trades Employers said; “They amount to economic and industrial idiocy as far as the con- struction industry is con cerned. They are likely to ensure its continuing decline rather than aid its recovery.” Purpose Built homes. Timber frame housing in a wide range of designs and styles with critical path construction thinking behind them. The National Council of “municipal enterprises” and would be assisted by a new said it did not want to central agency to pool Building Material Producers comment until its members had been consulted, but according to its director Richard Hermon, it could sce no reason for inter fering with the present oration to be established based structure” initially on the acquisition of one or more major contractors The RIBA said it had Thirdly, it suggests that workers’ co-operatives should educational recommend be set up, backed by Par “prave reservations over the ations”. But other parts of liamentary legislation and a the report which aimed at revitalisir heindustry were encouraging and showed that construction’s vulner ability was at long last beginning to sink in with the politicians Co-operative Development Agency On the building materials Side, it recommends a pro: gramme of selective public ownership under a new state holding company, a Building Materials Corporation experience and co-ordinate documentation and methods of working Second the NEC wants a National Construction Corp Architects in bid to save houses began ripping off the roofs, but were The owners of the houses, British Land, want to clear the site to make way for a not shored up an adjoining building housing scheme. The buildings are This temporary halt gave the Spitalfields listed and the street is part of an Historic Buildings Trust, which includes weavers’ homes outstanding conservation area, but the* Mark Girouard, Colin Amery and Dan TheSpitalfields Trust Squatters, looking GLC has given the go-ahead for clearance Cruikshank, cnough time to organise a tired and uncomfortable after a week because the homes are considered unsafe squat and a 24-hour guard. The Trust sleeping on floors, expected an eviction Last week British Land's demolition men hopes this move will give it breathing space order later in the week Purpose Built. Homes that have Factory assembly, timber pre- ‘challengethesubstantial Coe monopoly power” exerted by the big contractors It calls first for an expansion of direct labour departments which could be run as a uniform standard of reliability that ensures quick economic site construction. Insulation values are higher than the statutory requirements, a variety of elevation treatments are possible and stepping and staggering on sloping sites Is.easily achieved. A complete Development and Manufacturer service Is offered, for the private or public sector. Four thousand families have already opted for a Purpose Built home. Burnt Tree, Tipton, West Midlands. DY4 7UE. Telephone: 021-557-6232. Telex: 336842 MLLARD G stopped on a technicality because they had BUILDING DESIGN, September 9, 1977 3 For instant information tick on reader inquiry The houses were built in 1725 and are the last surviving examples of local 4 BUILDING DESIGN, September9, 1977 To celet y of the of the reassertion of the private set up a viable project. “The YAn architectural training in WANCHESTE® MCW TOWN HALL Somer expensive. That's probably because the any.Or never looked beyond the basic pr ce. Built-in Savings 1911 and came to Britain in are in need, the poverty True, the c way be alittlehigher tha window frames Butthen, alu »,farfrom beingex windows actualy cos actually save Quality As my Window ve, in real terms alumaniurr and, in the long run, they come ready glazed and they don'tneed to ey have two material fthe Alummnium Window Association are manufactured to BS 4873 and come costs built into their price the qualitya surance of the Kitemark symbc rSpecifier Wallchart tells y allyouneedto know which had been set up the But Schumacher believed previous year by a group of that his message of austerity ethat aluminiurr 1937 and trained as an econo- Stricken multitude who lack mist, studying at New College any real basis of existence Oxford and Columbia Uni- who have neither ‘the best’ versity New York. From 1950. nor the “second best’, but go 1970 he was Economic Ad- short of even the most visor to the National Coal essential means of subsist Board and its Director of ence.” Statistics from 1963 to 1970, In recent years planners in In 1966 he became chairman the developing countries have of the Intermediate Tech increasingly accepted his nology Development Group message \,eaHeptertcsy =)2 re A PREDICTION that far- proposals although its author, rather than the council's, only reaching proposals for Charles McKean, secretary of the private architect can help changes in practice will be the group, prefers to phrase out impartially,” he told BD demanded in next year’s them as “questions” rather Rod Hackney proposes sever- report of the RIBA Com- than demands until the CAWG al ways in which private prac- munityArchitectureWork-reportcomesoutinJanuary. ticescouldbeencouragedto ingGrouphasbeenmadeby Hackneyseesthelocalauth- workforcommunitygroups its deputy chairman, Rod ority as the chief villain both to JThe creation of an archi- Hackney. existinginstitutionsandtecturalaidfund,subsidisedby cooreSLttt ayAnan ¥y Withh,Sah}ra SPUTUM } | ity Art G; He suggests that the report could demand an end to local authority interference with community group projects and community groups aspiring to By Michael Foster the RIBA and central govern- ment to pay practices working for clients with few financial resources about alurr help yout rs. Ask for yourcopy today...it 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7EL Tel: 01-637 3578 Aluminium Window Association, engineers, economists and and technological gentleness scientists to provide practical was also applicable in the advice on self-help techniques developed countries. On a for developing countries News architect's position as sole suit local authority sitting in its In 1867. His} #blce counsellor for the work. Ivory tower does not give a hat and coat A letter circulated today to damn,” he said the schools grounded in prac- tical building methods and sympathetic to the simple refurbishment needs of practices Hackney claims that political “ugly, squat and heavy”. The | interested in community action considerations must interfere community groups. BH! Maintenance Free What'gqnare, aluminium window frame rust, warp orpeel and they're virtually maintenance free RIAS plans group to boost construction SCOTTISH Nationalist Party doldrums and so much of the spokesman on housing Andrew physical environment needs Welsh has welcomed the idea of Improvement. The idea sounds forming an all-party body to most welcome and I shall be press for greater priority to the getting in touch with the RIAS Scottish construction industry, to find out more.” an Initiative being mooted by the Royal Incorporation or The Incorporation’s with a local authority architect secks 4 mandate for such called in to help out in a CJAn increase in fees for the architect at the expense of the builder, at liberty to raise his tender price at will rather than being confined by a restrictive code Extensive RIBA campaigns on the media to bring the services of the architects to the notice of the community at large rrot, community group. Enforce ment orders could be put on properties to improve them which a community might not be able to carry out itself or did not want in the first place. “Unless local authority architect departments are broken into sections account- able to professional opinion Architects in Scotland (News, membership is currently being September 2) Welsh told BD this week proposal, which would be “Something like this is badly linked with a £100 000 advert- needed in Scotland in that the ising campaign to get more industry is so much in the work for Scottish architects OBITUARY Dr Ernst Schumacher ALTHOUGH his name will progress along the same path always be linked with that of, as doomed to failure. Instead intermediate technology, he proposed an intermediate Ernst (Fritz) Schumacher was technology based upon simple not a technologist. He was a devices, low capital invest- moralist and propagandist. ment and the use of indig- His death at the age of 66 enous skills and material. _ occurred in Switzerland where Some accused him of he had been addressing the proposing a “second best” Industrial Week of Moral technology for the poor which Rearmament; for him per- sonal morality and the bus- iness of living were not separable He was born in Germany in would confirm them in their poverty rather than enable them to emerge from it. But these he answered eloquently “This is the voice of those who recent tour of the US His book, Smallis Beautiful Schumacher had no less than | published in 1973, is strongly 160 speaking engagements in moralistic im tone. Schu Six weeks and was received by macher was deeply uneasy President Carter. His last about the selfishness and book, Guide to the Perple. vd materialism of the consumer is due to be published shortly society and saw the attempts of the developing countries to Gerry Foley consulted on attitudes to the Community report may demand big changes the 100th y allery is mounting an exhibition of drawings by Alfred Waterhouse, architect for the town hall. Wai jlerhouse, a chief exponent of the Victorian Gothic style in large secular build won the | working drawings of the town hall on show range from plans and elevations to details as minute as a stand. Visitors to the exhibition will see how Waterhouse modifled his design in response to public criticism. The} original clock tower, for example, was remodelled after complaints that It was too exhibition, at Manchester Clty Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Is open from September 13 to October 23. more than 30 “ITnever use aluminium windows. in methods of practice They cost too much.” Forinstant information tick [4 | on reader inquiry card Table It Number of Less than 3 months 3 but less than 6 months 6 but less than 12 months 12 months ormore *See footnote to Table | have at feast 12 months work to ploy = AJ SURVEY (per cent) 2c x =23 a~i Sms | tie Oma Speers =<<sS=S Poe Fe ote bing et e eS Ss Spee Lore wht rserkdeip Tt e = = g 2S g = : s So SUA Te ores et a. The Architects’ Journal 8 June 1977 AJ SURVEY (per cent) RIBA INDAL Detailed results Howmuchandforhowlong? s 2 2 Sil Sere serene 2 s/s= 4S ei Spins moma ered|Iemecy Salsas Here Ga 3ioEeypeieseie)i|Sneuilisaiees Sis eS eeercpapes| ears cans SERS RNR Sa ea ea Alreadyunemployed Lessthan3months 1211184116O4/32o|813 SbutlessthanGmonths 13 14 18 3 12 13 25 4/33 3/16 23 3 Sbutlessthan12months 23 22 27 16 16 28 13 0/26 21 29 37 17 12months ormore 49 50 33 76 70 35 63 90] 9 76145 27 73 * Totals will not necessarily add up to exactly 100 por cent due to rounding up of figures. The AIBA chairmen's survey is of practices and not individuals. OnStOr2 eSeeSeOS|ee|ee 90 ——— 80-; 70 — 60 — archts archts in archts archt! 8 a ase 3 Jar Oeae O a 9 19 134 «#413 Sh y22 195 69 91 1 10 21 21 60 62 14 28 47 83 83 58 archtl pa plans techs re on! p la govt inpp inia a all resps 1© ® ©86©© Key to tables and graph Columns from left so right (nos 1-8) 1 All respondents 2 All architects 3 Architects in private practice 4 Architects in local authorities 5 Architects in government departments 6 Technicians in private practice 7 Technicians in local suthorities 8 Planners in local authorities tects on the ARCUK register. archts in in techs anticipate continued employment beyond the next 12months Regional variations Architects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (and to a lesser degree in the North West) are marginally better off than the rest of the UK, and those in the South West region are considerably worse off. The other regions conform within a few percentage points to the national averages shown in the tables, although the northern region appears in our survey to be a bit below. In the South West only 38 per cent of al architects (including both private and public offices) have 12 months work or more, and much less than half think they will be employed by their offices next year. Comparison with INDAL and RIBA INDAL’s results are slightly more gloomy than the AJ’s, but are a reasonable match. The RIBA chairmen’s survey is very much more depressing than either AJ or INDAL, especially for the private sector. Regional comparisons are more difficult, although there is general agreement on the best and the worst. Comparison with RIBA new commissions would suggest that Scotland, the North West and West Midlands should be weathering the recession best. All have a larger percentage of total national new commissions than the percentage of archi- ics FQ e How busy? When al respondents are counted, the split between those who are fully occupied in their present jobs and those who are not, is roughly even. But, when sub-divided according to types of office, nearly 60 per cent of architects and architectural technicians in private offices are doing less than a good day’s THE ROAD TO CATASTROPHE FOR BUILDING Dramatic decline of architects’ anticipated workload confirmed by detailed analysis of AJ survey The results of our Architects’ Employment Survey published there is a dramatic increase in the inflow of new commissions. two weeks ago aroused considerable interest both inside the The most fortunate people to emerge from this survey are profession and in the national and regional press. We have now local authority planners, both in terms of anticipated future beenabletoprocessaltheresultsindetailandcollatethe employmentandinsalary. many written remarks and suggestions. The picture painted now is no less alarming than that depicted in our earlier issue—the future for architects is grim unless Table | Number of months’ work considered to be in the office’ In addition to our own AJ survey, we commissioned Industrial Data Ltd (INDAL) to carry out a random sample (rather than a self selecting sample) survey asking some of the same ques- tions. Their results are given in the description which follows, plus the results of the recent RIBA regional chairmen’s survey, for comparison. Details of the amount of work being carried out in architectural and planning offices are shown in table I, and prospects for |continued employment in table I. The figures for 12 months or more work, and the same period of anticipated employment, are combined in pillargraph 1. The luckiest are planners: the unluckiest are architects in private practice. Taken overall for architects, only half reckon they have work beyond the next year, although a higher percentage hope stil to be employed in their present office in 12 months from now. Even so, one-third |of al architects and over one-half of architects in private Practice do not think their present employer can go on employ- ing them, or that they can continue running their own practice beyond spring of next year—a probable total of well over 7000 architects out of work, in addition to the 1000 or soalready made redundant. This means that 1 in 3 of the 25 000 archi- tectsontheARCUK registerthinkshewillbeoutofhisjobby next year. percentage The editors Editor: Leslic Fairweather RIBA News and features editor: Peter Davey BArch, RIBA Assistant news editors: Dan Cruickshank BA Nick Wates BSc Deyan Sudjic BSc, DipArch Buildings editor: Henry Herzberg AADip, RIBA Technical editor: Maritz Vandenberg BA( Arch) Assistant technical editors: Barrie Evans MSc Jane Taylor BSc(Eng) Patricia Tutt AssocPoly(Arch), RIBA Assistant editor: building economics Helen Heard AADip, RegArch, MSc(Econ) Production/art editor: Tim Cottrell Assistant production/art editor: Colin Jenkins Sub editors: Carol Hemsley BA Patrick Tierney BA Drawings editor: Louis Dezart Photographer: Bill Toomey Librarian: Dorothy Pontin ALA Editorial secretary: Carla Dobson BA Editorial administrator: Gillian Collymore Editorial director: D. A. C. A. Boyne HonFRIBA Advertisement manager: Roger Bell London and home counties area managers: Phillip Capstick Peter B. Hadley Malcolm Hamilton Barry Lait Midlands manager: Ronald Baker Northern counties and Scotland manager: Elwyn Jones Advertisement production manager: W. Evans Advertisement administrator: Brian Storey Advertisement director: F. G. Dunn ONE VOICE: ONE MESSAGE—DISASTER Everyone in the industry must hope that the delegation, led by Eric Lyons, which is to meet the Prime Minister on the 16th, will at last achieve a proper understanding by government of the grave state to which building and construction have been brought. (Our survey, analysed on the next two pages, indicates the degree of despair among architects who are at the mouth of the pipeline which leads ultimately to the men on the sites). In the long run, there will be benefits to the industry as a whole from collaboration in preparing the case to the Prime Minister. One such benefit must be the realisation that we, as an industry, need a common pool of information on which to base our arguments. At present, several bodies collect information about the workings of the industry. For instance, the RIBA produces statistics about the workload of private architects, quarterly. But every four months, the DOE analyses the workload of public architects’ offices. Yet the DOE does not distinguish between public work done in-house, and work put out by public authorities to private architects. Confusion reigns. No one can measure the workload of the whole architectural profession accurately. So no one attempts to estimate the effects of a slump (or boom) in architects’ work on what contractors will be doing one, two or three years later. The fact that we cannot produce detailed and complementary figures makes it easier for those politicians who have no serious wish to understand building’s plight. The RIBA has begun to put the industry’s house in order by starting on a re-examination of its own statistics. If the DOE can’t collect usable public practice figures, the institute must surely ask its members in local authorities and central government, as well as those in private practice, to provide information on work coming in, the value of working drawings going through, and on abortive work. This will put the onus on members to provide the ammunition for future battles. And, after evaluating the overall workload, a small survey should be conducted to discover, in detail, what is happening in the regions, in different types of building, and so on. At the same time, the DOE must do its own survey quarterly to chime in with all the other figures collected by itself and others. This is just one instance of the kind of information that must be found and co-ordinated. Among others are the relationships of architects’ workload to the employment of building workers, contractors’ cash flow to orders for building materials, and subcontractors’ well-being to the intake of certain craft apprentices. Whatever the outcome of the industry’s visit to number 10, all the industry’s interests must surely agree to set up a commonly funded statistics bureau for building. But meanwhile . ..the Prime Minister must be left in no doubt that, though we may not, yet, have precise figures (partly because of government inadequacy), the pipeline is emptying fast. Building is the biggest industry in the country and it will not remain cowed and divided any longer. The Architects’ Journal 8 June 1977 1055 A credit to The Bauhaus lives again—or at least its the party buildings do. According to the excellent Danish magazine Arkitekten, alarge party for ex-Bauhaus students and teachers was held at the end of last year to celebrate the rehabilitation of the Dessau complex, exactly 50 years after the building was first opened. With the thoroughness that only communist countries seem to be able to bring to restoration work, a team led by Hans Berger of the East German institute for the care of monuments has restored the war shattered edifice to its former glory (it was used as a trade school for many years after the war). Great attention was paid to detail: chairs, lamps and even the devices for opening the windows have been lovingly restored. Only in the epoch making curtain wall of the workshop isthere any important alteration: itis now double glazed with vacuum sealed units (how did the students survive behind the single layer of glass designed by Gropius?). Happily, Arkitekten says that the new glazing isnot particularly noticeable. Mirthless mayhem The main hall is now hired out for functions and there isapermanent exhibition on the Bauhaus in the old gallery. But, as yet, no one is quite sure what to do with the rest of the complex. Undeterred by this slight problem, the East Germans are pressing ahead with restoring other Gropius buildings including the Bauhaus staff houses and even the famous circular Dessau labour exchange. Architects al over the world will raise their hats. “Art to me is an expression of my environment. IfIbetray agrisly image then you have only society to blame.’ Sounds, you might think, like an architect explaining away his latest outrage on the landscape, but actually it’s Derek Wain talking, an art student from Leeds, charged with iltreating six budgerigars and 12 white mice as part of an ‘artistic event’. Wain and his co-defendant, Peter Parker, were fined £20 cach by Leeds magistrates because of a ‘work of art’ they staged before an audience of 100. This was to culminate in the massacre of the budgies but, Iam glad to The Architects’ Journal 8June 1977 A breezy lot say, the two were prevented by the audience from killing more than one bird. To the accompaniment of loud music and flashing lights, the tethered budgies were showered with broken glass and shot at with an air pistol. This bizarre tale must have some relevance for architects, if only because it proves that you can’t blame the environment for everything and get away with it. Bunting isperhaps too modest aword to describe the plangent banners of the South Bank which range from ashimmering black and silver chequered flag to a hand painted silk windsock. Three of the projects, vastly Raymond Rankine, left, and Tony Fretton, in front of their black flag (top). The windsock to the right, is Brenda Taylor’s lion. Pedro Jaramillo-Carling’s streaming pennants (above). The finest jubilee bunting in London is to be seen adorning 18 flagpoles outside the Festival Hall. They are the winning schemes of an Arts Council open competition for the design of flags and similar projects. The aim of the competition, which attracted 218 entrants, was to provide an opportunity for professional artists to propose designs which would ‘enliven an urban location’. ge a aentaeearnei ESa aT.mT CESS APLSRECRO eee MR work. In local authorities, the proportion is reversed and 60 per cent think they are fully busy. Planners are yery busy: 83 per cent think they are fully occupied, and only 17 per cent are less so. Of those in al groups who are not working to their full capacity, most think they are utilising about a half to three-quarters of their full potential. Where is the work? The work, such as it is, is overwhelmingly in this country. About 93 per cent is in the UK, around 5 per cent in the Middle East, and the remainder in Europe, Eire, Nigeria, West Indies and, for one lucky practitioner, ‘world wide’. What else can you do? About one-quarter of al architects who returned our question- naire are secking alternative employment; strangely enough nearly 20 per cent of them are secking it in private practice, the hardest hit sector. Otherwise, no definite trend is discernible and, among the choices we gave, the percentage preferences are fairly evenly divided. About one in five architects supplements his present income by taking on other work. The amount can vary between 1 and 60 hours, although how those at the upper end of the scale do their normal job as well is not stated. Much of this extra work is private architectural work—conversions and small exten- sions—but others work as musicians, bar tenders, a hospital cleaner, lecturers and writers, security officer, taxi driver and song writer. How much do your colleagues earn? The worst off are technicians in private practice; the best paid seem to be architects in Northern Ireland, followed by archi- tects in government departments and planners in local authorities. Table III gives the details. Are professional bodies any help? A good two-thirds of architects feel let down by their national orregionalbodies.TheRIBAtakesalotofstick,butNALGO and RIAS also come in for censure. In fact, the RIBA has been taking a more active part than most architects obviously realise—many of the recent initiatives have been either started or actively supported by them. The RIBA has not been as The age of a large proportion of those who replied was between 30 and 39. There was a fair proportion in the decades before of the RIBA is obviously in not making enough of what it and after these ages, with a drastic tailing away in the over ineffective as so many of our respondents think—the failure has been doing. The many pages of computer print out 60 group. Regional response compares very favourably with architects on ... too remote. ..totally ineffective ...backward looking . . the ARCUK register. include: ‘RIBA appears to be above reality ...doing nothing not militant enough and branches too timid ...carries no respect . . . a bosses’ clique which couldn’t care less about salaried architects’. One or two do support the RIBA, but tartly point out that the membership generally has not supported branch meetings and given help and encouragement and formed an effective lobby. What do the surveys show? The AJ survey shows, as we said two weeks ago, that archi- tects—especially those in the private sector—are in desperate straits and that this will mean very severe repercussions throughout the building industry (and therefore the country) as a whole. We predicted about one in three of all architects on the ARCUK register out of work within the year, plus What are we short of? Only about 12 per cent or so are worried by shortages of many thousands of building contractors, sub-contractors and The Architects’ Journal 8 June 1977 1057 | Table II Salary ranges* AJ SURVEY (per cent) s ARCHITECTS IN REGIONS (percent) both labour and materials. The percentages are a bit higher in the north of the country, and Northern Ireland seems to have a considerable problem in obtaining al the building materials it needs—S3 per cent complained of a lack. The crucial shortages are of skilled craftsmen and tradesmen: bricklayers, carpenters and joiners, plasterers, plumbers, elec- tricians.Theconcernisnotonlyaboutthesmallnumbersof Allthefeetaretreadingalongthesameroadtotheruination skilled men around, but about the competence of some who claim to be skilled. Shortages of materials tend to be local— bricks, sanitary fittings, steel, decent timber, doors. of a profession and the wrecking of a crucial industry. It is the purpose of RIBA president Eric Lyons and his delegates to the Prime Minister next week, to make sure that this case isforcibly put and firmly understood. S2 o 3 ‘0 a BWko8s058esSato Piesisycescmipegeecgreg:i peg eeietaiagaees Zeetgcetgetreagwgrtus4ute Lessthanf£a000. 9 5 8 1 0281203 43 410 3 «6 £3100-£4000 |£4100-£5000 }£5100-£6000 16 13) 18 212 37) 23) (0/12 11 9) 9 21 15) 10 262426241425301330203323272423 1922163622 §&2335232224231223 0 3136333752 5125234433242303769 Over £6000 * See footnote to Table | Who answered the questionnaire? We received 1466 completed forms, of which 1450 were processed and analysed—the remainder arrived too late. About 90 per cent’were from architects and architectural assistants; 4 per cent were from planners, some of whom were also architects; the rest were mainly from architectural technicians, landscape architects, teachers, and quantity surveyors. They worked in the following types of office (figures are per- centages): Private practice 59; Local authority 24; Govern- ment department 4; Industry and commerce 5; Nationalised industry 1; Hospital/health authority 2; Others 5. About 70 per cent were salaried and 30 per cent self-employed. In the private sector, 46 per cent were salaried and 56 per cent self-employed. Comparison between response to our survey and the ARCUK register suggests that private practice is slightly over represented, but as we have more subscribers in the private sector this would be expected. The work done was overwhelmingly housing, with a fair sprinkling of schools, hospitals and commercial and industrial. materials suppliers out of business. The INDAL survey supports our own findings and is, if anything, more gloomy. The RIBA chairmen’s survey is very much more depressing even than the other two, especially for architects in the private sector, and makes it quite clear that AJ and INDAL are not scare-mongering. Theweekly newspape rfor the building team New note from RIBA on abortive work costs A NEW practice note has been issued by the RIBA in an attempt to reduce friction between housing associations and architects who have diffi- culty getting payment on aborted schemes. The note says there is no difference between housing associations and any other client. Architects should make Sure, before carrying out any work either that there is a written agreement or that the scheme has received DoE cy council approval in the shape of @ grant Shoreallays fears of new towns’ cuts NEW towns may not suffer such drastic cutbacks in their future programmes as has been feared following a recent state- ment in the House of Commons by Environment Secretary Peter Shore. “With the exception of Central Lancashire, the for- ward programmes of other new towns are mainly so far advanced that there is little Scope for material changes,” said Shore. He was replying in a written answer to Conservative MP Edward Gardener, following Speculation that the review currently being conducted by the DoE into the new towns’ future may recommend a cut- Shadow Spokesman on the Environment, when they met him for the first time this week. Heseltine of its fears that the Slough Estates report on factory and management. as al helping to speed up the Under the heading “Planning current procedures. control” the panel suggests that Among the architects giving the 1971 Town and Country evidence to the panel were private architect was being Squeezed out by the increasing size of public sector depart- ments. Also discussed in the one- hour meeting was the present general plight of the construc- tion industry, and the ways Government action could help to alleviate it. “We got on with him very well,” said ACA chairman Ray Moxley. ‘He showed an imme- diate grasp of the problems we are facing.” fire precautions on a 400-house when flames from a “flashover"’ REMEDIAL work to upgrade September, Three people died Council house repairs study AN investigation into ways estate at Swindon will cost furniture fire on the ground council tenants can help in hour fire resistant doors, to FOC and GLC regulations, tailored repairing their houses is to be £500000. Forty thousand floor penetrate the plaster- homes throughout the country walled lining and spread carried out by the National to fit any Consumer Council. ; using the same steel-framed rapidly through the wall cavity BISF system could require to the roof. The ventilated opening, delivered on time. Acme, 01-560 2233 ring Similar modification to bring cavity acted as a self-fuelling them up to standard. flue and quickly ignited the The work to Thamesdown roof and the hardboard and Borough Council's Pinehurst fibreboard panelling on the The council's research unit us now! will rt on the tenants’ and councils’ attitudes to the concept. Maintenance costs are currently running at £2-3 per week for cach of the country’s four million council homes. Acme Gate &ShutterCo, Ld. Great West Road, Estate follows extensive investi- first floor. gation after a fatal fire last Thamesdown is now carrying Brentford, Middlesex. For instant information tick { 1 |Z on reader inquiry card Aas cre INSID As theatre companies take to the road Robert Adam looks at the latest innovations in move- able structures. Pages 12-13. Perspective features the Tid- worth Zouch Junior School, Education School Design Award. Page 10. Sutherland Lyall visits Essex self-builders with a difference. Pages 16-17. In Half the city's 120000 houses need repair and there 24, News in Focus 6, Letters are 13 000 on the waiting list. 8-9, Perspective 10, Scorpio 11, About 10 000 houses have been Week by Week 11, New put out of use — often due to fproducts 19, Reader inquiry @ “Today and Tommorow’ An aerial view of Milton Keynes City Centre wing latest progress. On the left the Lioyds Court office back of their expansion. The is the title of this year’s RIBA building which was officially opened this week. The first two sta; of the Shopping areca( ht) are scheduled review is expected to be pub- Conference. The Conference for completion by Su Committee last week issued a | The half-mile-long bi Statement giving more details of the subjects to be covered “Many influences are calling into question not only the traditional nature of profes- sionalism and the changing nature of patronage, but also the traditional roles and relationships within the profession,” Says the statement. “Clues to the future can often be found in what is happening today — and it is timely now to try and predict some of the future areas of change and how architects might respond.” Speakers for the conference, at RIBA HQ October 19-22, have not yet been chosen. 1978, with the third stage, amassive ‘ohn Lewis store, completed byAutumn 1979. lished in the next few weeks. a study day last November will be the largest covered shopping area in Britain providing almost 101000 @ A five-year plan has been dto combat the trend of dereliction in inner Belfast. Spending could mun to £130 Sw v ig new pr Heseltine and started to look into the lished this week. ACA hititoff The proposals — from an Regulations with a view to simplification was the main proposal under the “Govern- ment lations” category. The “Design” heading covered MEMBERS of the Association organised by estate agents of Consultant Architects struck Hillier Parker — also in- tutes and MPs and the panel is the building contract, drawings up “an instant rapport’ with clude a revision of the confident there will be consi- and standardisation already Michael Heseltine, the new Standard form of building derable Government follow up mentioned. contract. to their recommendations. Under “management” the The conclusions are listed panel was less specific, but The investigating panel was under four brand categories covered better training, an Adelegationofsixtoldsetuptolookatdevelopmentcoveringplanningcontrols,examiofnovaersteasiporacntice delays and costs following the Government regulations, design and clearer client instructions building, which showed that UKperformancwaes among the worst in Europe. The panel — which included Planning Act should be Ps, distinguished fives from the construction industry and property developers — listened to evidence from architects, planners, tradeunions, quantity Surveyors, builders and suppliers. Richard Seifert and Percy Gray. ded to allow licati Seifert said the standard form of for planning consent and for building contract was the “root Industrial Development Certifi- cause of trouble’ and should be cates and Office Development “scrapped”. Permits to take place simul- Percy Gray said much of the tancously. Planning authorities detailed architectural drawing shouldproduceanexplanatorydoneinthepaysaeeswas leaflet with advice on the best unnecessary. Thecriti factor ROLLER SHUTTERS, FOLDING SHUTTERS, COLLAPSIBLE GATES, GRILLES Four products, made to Acme's standard of perfection for the market you are involved with — and we know that market through years of experience. Solid and durable materials, 2 Copies of their findings haye way to minimise delays and the was the production of final been sent to all Government DoE should establish drawings before site working departments, professional insti- procedure for dealing quickly started, he said, Engineering consultants: Felix J Samucly. especially on factory buildings. for cutting development A major inquiry should be and bricked up. service 20, Dateline 21, Appointments 22-23. costs and delays recommended in a report pub- effectiveness of the Building investigating panel set up at | By Ted Stevens million, A steering group under the direction of Ray Carter, the Under Secretary for Northern Ireland, has been setup to take control of the drive. Repre- sented are the district council, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the regional DoE -and other private and public agencies involved in housing. the violence of recent years — COMMENT 2, News 3-5 and DING SIGN _FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18, 1977 No. 335 5q m of lettable space. Contractors: John Laing Construction. Report calls for planning changes a ‘SPEED UP DESIGN’ PLEA APLEA to architects to try and cut down on the with planning appeals — quantity of their drawings is one of several Swindon faults—a_ nationwide bill? out a two-year modification Programme that involves mineral wool with fire-proofing qualities being injected into the cavity and plasterboard being fitted to all first-floor walls and ceilings. The total cost for each unit will be about £1 200 The council has been in contact with the DoE but as yet ho modification note has been distributed to other [ocal authorities. TENANT CONTROL The unjust treatment of council tenants is at the heart of this country’s housing problem, says Tom Woolley. He argues here that public housing work is organised in such a way that it has little more social benefit than speculative office building and that architects should be made more accountable to building users, whoSmust organise control of their estates. Woolley works for the Glasgow Corporation Tialea : ", Twant to look at housing problems more from the tenant’s pointof view than from the benevolent administrator’s. While a great deal has been said onbehaoflfthehomeless,thecauseofthecouncil thancounciltenants. tenant has never really been fashionable. This is perhaps becauseof the underlying assumption that once someone gets a council house, his problems are solved and he can be forgotten about: ifhe complains, he is thought to be somehow ungrateful. Yet the problemsof council tenants are at the centre of the housing problem, and itisimportant to understand their grievances both about design and about their generally oppressed status. Housing managers are the intermediaries between the architect and the real client: the building user isthe anonymous client. The architect isbriefed, not by the people who will use the building, but by those who organise its financing — the public authority. The architect is accountable only to a ‘false’ or intermediate client, not to the real client or the user. Council tenants therefore have little control over the kind of house they will live in. But those architects who have a social conscience can do little to break down the artificial barriers that have grown between them and their ‘real’ clients. Even where attempts are made, the economic constraints strictly limit the alternatives that can be offered. Where public participation isoffered, itisstil barely more than a paternalistic gesture, which means little to people whose lives are severely limited and constrained in every other respect by economic and bureaucratic forces outside their control. Genuine participation means people having control over al the factors affecting their lives, not just in one or two areas. There is much to be done to improve the relationship between public authorities and tenants, and tenants will have a fight on their hands ifthey are to establish any control over their environment. In my experience, tenants — especially those in the poorer areas — have a tremendous struggle just trying to maintain decent living conditions in substandard housing. Maintenance is poor, rents are continually rising, and completely unjustified stigmas become attached to many council housing schemes, which permeate through to officialdom and influence its attitude toward the tenants. For many tenants, it is a continual fight to retain self respect. Even in *better’ and ‘showpicce’ schemes, To many architects, this does not represent a dilemma. They quite happily tailor their designs to meet the needs of the present power structure and current ideologies, without considering whether the designs will suit the tenants. For example, Irecently heard an architect, showing slides of an award winning scheme in London, say that he had adapted the design in its final phase to give more individual identity to each house,sothatwhentenantsareforcedtobuytheir tenantshavemanyjustifiedgrievancesbecauseof houses (as a result of the Housing Finance Act and so called ‘fair rents’) they will more easily be able to identify what they ‘own’. Apart from uncritically accepting one of the most devastating inflexible and second class treatment. In response, tenants’ associations have been formed, often because of rent increases, but also in an effort to resist the way in which they are treated by +Douwity2!‘ ae ,me Renr We 574k Act oy - attacks on the living standards of working people, this architect was implyiing that owner occupiers were entitled to more attention and individuality RIBAJ January 1974 c= mM LO! Lill Tom Woolley | | | | | ' ' | . about architec tural and environmental issues, but it is an uphill battle getting anyone to listen. The unjust and oppressive treatment of tenants can be illustrated by the following case. I used to live in an area in Glasgow’s East End which traditionally had a ‘bad name’, and where the local tenants’ association was quite strong and active. At weekly meetings, mainly attended by women, issues from education to planning were discussed, with regular repairs and complaints sessions, and bingo parties were held to raise money. Sometime in 1972, the housing management department tried to evict the vice chairman of the association, Mrs Johnston. The local supervisor claimed that Mrs Johnston’s dog had peed on the common Staircase, and that was the reason given for the eviction. It was a clear caseofvictimisation, but ittook several months of pressure before the housing management department withdrew itsthreats. It is wrong to suggest, as some ‘officials’ have done, that itisneighbours and not housing managers who want people evicted for such “Where public participation is offered, it is still barely more than a paternalistic gesture, which means little to people whose lives are severely limited and constrained in every other respect by economic and bureaucratic forces outside their control. Genuine participation means people having control over all the factors affecting their lives’ ‘offences’. Every day, tenants throughout Britain are harassed by petty officials, and while, in some cases, neighbours may complain, they will always unite to oppose unjust treatment, as they did in Mrs Johnston’s case. Tenants can be evicted ifthey have infringed any oneofthe 17‘conditionsof let’.Most local authorities stipulate many rules for their tenants, ranging from obvious conditions, such as maintenance of the property, to telling them not to putcigarettevendingmachinesontheirwallsorto hangoutwashingonSundays.Thereisnoagreed or recognised pr ocedure of appeal or complaint against housing authorities, and so tenants can England send out hundreds of thousands of similar documents every year, many for rent arrears, but also for trivial ‘offences’ like that alleged against Mrs Johnston. Many authorities keep black lists of what they call ‘anti social tenants’. It is true that there are some people that no one would like as neighbours, but in general the definition of an anti social tenant is based on subjective and unjust decisions which are kept secret, and are often even withheld from councillors. Mrs Johnston was considered to be acting unsocially because she was failing to keep her staircase clean. But in fact, the particular housing scheme in which she lives is dirty, not becauseofthe tenants, but becauseofofficial neglect. The drains are blocked and the buildings are crumbling. Every town has similar council housing estates where the poorer people are dumped. Imean that many local authorities have deliberately let estates run down, and then turned them into ‘problem’ areas. As their stigma grows, only the weakest and most desperate people are prepared to go to such estates. It has taken direct militant action by residents ofclearance areas to expose the local authorities’ classification and gradation of people by ‘type’ — very good, good, medium, fair, poor — which condemns them to certain areas which match their grading. The only way that tenants think they can escape this classification is by bribery (which is not unknown), or by refusing to move until they get an acceptable offer of a house where they want to live. There has been an important growth in community action over such issues in, for example, Hamilton, the Gorbals, and Maryhill. But the process ofallocation stil remains much the same. Sociologist Sean Damer recently carried out a study of one stigmatised area in Glasgow, and found that corporation officials and departments have adopted outrageous and insulting views about many of the residents. (It isn’t uncommon to hear tenants described as ‘animals’.) Tenants are treated in a humiliating way, as a result of being classified according to middle class standards of ‘good behaviour’. The fact is that some tenants can’t meet such standards simply because of straightforward poverty. The attitude had grown up among officials thatitwasn’t worth doinganythingforpeopleinthestigmatisedareas. Repairs are done in an extremely grudging manner. The policy, according to Damer, ‘seems to have been to do as little as is compan lle with keeping the place from actually falling apart. Even those public officials who have a humane understanding of the causes of people’s problems attack only the symptoms: they supervise and harass people in such a way that the blame for thephysicaldecayoftheareaseemstobeputon thetenants.AsBarryCullingworthhaspointed | RIBAJ January 1974 uthority.Manyareveryarticulateandconcerned removal’.LocalauthoritiesinScotlandand be threatened with eviction on an official’s whim. Thelocalauthorityis,ineffect,theprosecutor, jury, judge, and executioner. The result is that the council tenant has no security of tenure. After being threatened verbally andthenwitha letter,MrsJohnstonwassenta pseudolegaldocumentcalleda‘noticeof ut [October RIBAJ, pp 488-91], many local authorities have hundreds of empty houses, even in towns with enormous waiting lists, but people just refuse to go to them. One corporation in west Scotland is trying to remove the stigma attached to one area by dividing it into smaller ‘districts’ with new names, in an effort to ‘foster a sense of community’. The answer to the problem shouldn't, however, be superficial. Providing new place names or even employing more enlightened housing managers are not sufficient (though clearly the latter would be better). Instead, fundamental attitudes to mass housing must change. It is scandalous that council tenants have no rights and can be treated like cattle. Tenancy agreements always state the tenants’ obligations, but those of the landlord are not defined. Meaningful change will have to be toward more tenant control over housing, and there must be devolution, not centralisation, of power. Managers, architects, and others concerned with housing must be directly accountable to the building users. Some improvement is being made, not on the question of rights and control, but in the field of communication. “Participation’ or ‘consultation’ is seen as improving communication between the ‘masses’ and the experts’. While this may give tenants the chance to make their voices heard, it is essentially a diversion. Unless people can control how the money is spent, the impact of their views will remain minimal. Some tenants’ associations fal for ‘participation’ concessions, but there is a growing tension between demands by community groups for more say and a better deal, and attempts by public bodies to develop more sophisticated techniques for dealing with and managing people. Through participation and other communication techniques local authorities are becoming better informed, but they stil have al the power and control. As administrators become more sophisticated and better understand the importance of the social content of housing development, new kinds of professionals — ‘the soft cops’ — are being employed to work closer to the people and provide corporate bodies with a more human face. This would be all right ifpublic bodies directly represented the needsof the ordinary people they control. But state and local authority agencies increasingly reflect the needs and priorities of capitalism and big business. Public housing and rehabilitation policies have grown out of the attempts to redistribute wealth through services to the poorer sectionsof society, but in practice they have also provided the mechanism to boost private power and profits. Problems of finance, land costs, and organisation of labour have been left to market forces, allowing construction firms and property companies to exploit urban renewal, rehabilitation, and public spending. Industry and private property stil receive massive government subsidies, while in public housing there is a move to deny subsidies to tenants altogether. Even at the local level, decisions on projects are too often influenced by a network of graft and corruption which is only now beginning to be revealed. The state manages the people for the benefit of private wealth and capital. It is in this context that the very real economic powerlessness of working class people must be understood. Established housing policies reflect not so much the needsof the people, but the need to provide an adequate supply of labour where big business requires it. The broader needs of the ‘community’ are generally ignored, especially if ‘Industry and private property still receive massive government subsidies, while in public housing there is a move to deny subsidies to tenants altogether. Even at the local level, decisions on projects are too often influenced by a network of graft and corruption. The state manages the people for the benefit of private wealth and capital’ they involve capital expenditure for facilities such as nurseries, meeting places, rooms for voluntary and collective activity, and places for kids and old folk. Housing for the people is the little box and no more. The young professional whose social conscience would have directed him toward local authority | work istherefore faced with atremendous dilemma. Since working on public housing projects often has no more social benefit than working on speculative offices, many architects are now looking for new roles, often through voluntary and independent agencies doing work thatcanbelooselydescribedas‘advocacy’—or ~ they may even refuse to build at all. *Advocacy’ can be seen as a facet of ‘community’ work, and itcontains many dilemmas and contradictions. The detached and independent community worker in a working class area can providea useful resource to powerless people by stimulating local initiative, building up solidarity, and providing the finance, telephone, duplicator, and information. Community workers can also play a manipulative role, focusing the interests of residents on, for example, local authority plans for participation. But the encouragement of independent, critical action inevitably leads to conflict and confrontation as the demands on the authorities become more articulate and persistent. 7 RIBAJ January 1974 ; : party has let them down and that only direct action and ‘illegal’ formsofprotest have any effect, In the past, rent strikes have succeeded in saving thousands of pounds’ worth of rent increases for tenants. Recently, in Kirkby in Lancashire, however, the total rent strike has been used as a weapon, and this tactic will inevitably spread to other areas. The complete withholding of rent raises the question: why pay rent when mostof it goes into the pockets of moneylending organisations as interest repayments ? In fact, many tenants are asking: why pay rent at all? Instead, if tenants controlled their own estates, they could manage them inamore humane way, making regular contributions for repairs and to a citywide pool for building more houses. The more progressive politicians are now recommending that the new community councils could be responsible for local housing management, or that council housing could be handed over to locally run cooperatives. The politicians, however, are not prepared to face the problem of interest rates and housing finance, and tenants’ control will be meaningless unless the crippling interest charges and loan debts are removed. The popular ideaof giving tenantsa financial stake in their estates isreally just a way of conning them into accepting moreof the interest charges. But tenants’ control should not involve subsidising the profits of moneylenders: it should be a militant objective, similar to that of workers’ control at the point of production. Only when there is real tenants’ control can architecture reflect the needs of the people who use the buildings. While we, as architects, may expend agreat dealoftime and energy intrying to provide the best kind of environment for our anonymous clients within present financial limits, our work will be undone by those who finance and control housing. The struggles over these issues must be won before itwill be possible to build homes which are fit for humans. ‘The problem of unjust distribution of power and resources can be solved only when people control their own lives by collectively organising so that they have the power to fight back. The working class has had to do this in industry, and is now having to do it in the community. Working with the community means recognising the need for people to Organise action which is autonomous and politically conscious’ RIBAS January 1974 “ny people in community work projects are oking to young radical architects and planners to work with them, so that community groups can have their own ‘experts’ to help articulate their criticisms and organise counter proposals to the Jocal authorities’ plans. But the expert’s role must be the secondary one of helping the community to work out its own answers: providing expertise is not the complete answer to the people’s problems, Projects like sNAP in Liverpool, which is thought by many to beashining example of how ‘experts’ like architects and planners can work more sensitively with people, may be doing little more than providing the authorities with a more flexible tool for manipulating people. In the SNAP report [reviewed in the RIBAJ last June], urban problems were seen as the result of technical and administrative failures. The control of power and resources, and the distribution of income, were not considered as central issues affecting community problems. The illusion of advocacy is that by making expertise available to poorer and less powerful groups in society, inequalities and injustice can somehow be balanced. It assumes that the technical solutions and expertise of the professionals issomehow objective and ‘nonpolitical’, but in fact the ideas and ideologies of professional education over the years have helped to integrate professional services in the existing power structure. Advocacy, where itsees people’s problems as soluble in terms of administration and technical processes, will tend to reinforce people’s dependence on experts to solve their problems for them. The problem of the unjust distribution of power and resources can be solved only when people control their own lives by collectively organising so that they have the power to fight back. The working class has had to do this in industry, and is now having to do it in the ‘community’. Working with the community, therefore, means recognising the need for people to organise community action which isautonomous and able to generate political consciousness. The solutions to people’s problems will have to be fought for and won: they cannot be handed out by socially conscious experts. Those experts who become involved, therefore, must first and foremost be political agitators. Finally, to return to the problems of council tenants, Iam convinced that the primary issue will become one of rents, around which the community organisations will grow. As housing policy becomes more clearly controlled by the State, so community action will become more militant. The working class has a fragmented tradition of rent strikes, which can be used as an economic weapon against the system. Studies of rent strikes have shown that the majority of people are disillusioned with constitutional means ofgetting things done. They feel that the Labour e overwhelming Brighton confere the party also restoration of alJ public spen- ding cuts for the next two years advisers and, most important the introduction of the Govern with proper procedures nanded the happens to be the next one in of all the British public, of the Delegates at Brighton in addition voted by a huge majority for the expansion of direct labour departments and ing enterprises some pointing a working has “shown aware specified whats wrong with atough, durable wall finish,everywhere else? Awarding these public ui sects would be a far better bet than giving them to these yall Tom, Dick and Harry iding contractors who don't give people a fair deal,” he said ‘The trouble with the building industry is that the natient has been dying slowly vision interview rooms being next door to the air-ducting equipment and gantries having to be erected to accommodate the television cameras because the television companies found the intended positions on the balconies unsuitable The architects had replies ready when questioned by BD. They justifiably pointed out the new headquarters tn south centre is an all purpose build Later we a spray guns. application yet retainsthe pots otherattributes ing, intended just as much for Several delegates were entertainment or sporting London apparently dismayed the events as conferences, and this washed-out, ascetic colouring precluded the normal cosy in the auditorium and by the atmosphere found in con fact that it resembles a large ference halls The decision to switch the nal. According to press room scemed “foolish” si this e it difficult to commented associate, John August. He said the trouble The part of the building over camera positions was designated for press received difficult to understand because the cold shoulder from the the television companies had sports arena more than a be involved in the proceedings party organisers who decided given the balcony positions the instead to use the restaurant for OK during the design stage. Atany rate the architects will attending yeant the clos- get ample opportunity for user ing of the restaurant and no feedback during consultations meals available in the building over the conversion of the Georgian terrace in Walworth the journalists other than snacks Other upsets included the road, London which is to be the rooms chosen tor quict’’ tele- party's new hq Eric Heffer. Opening of 1977 Labour Pa yConference. public ownership at the cost, be a “‘colossally expensive have no doubt, of hundreds of blunder’ said Peter Morley, millions of pounds,” he said president of the National The reasons for this were not that a proper case had been made out for a more efficient E Ueto Biteesennaililll major industry to come into Sensible, moderate is the very worst nationalise,” he Morley, “and construction just Minister, his colleagues and wing of the and cost-conscious industry. but “because socialist dogma said Morley urged the whole the means of production,” said industry to convince “the Prime requires public ownership of all line.” colossally expensive blunder He did however hold open stakentime.Buthereit is.Fresh. Pas For instant information tick | 14] on reader inquiry card Peter Marsh reports from the Labour Party Conference in Brighton was in the right direction, but not nearly enough, he said Other speakers pursuce the same, familiar theme, but it was left to Eric Heffer, MP to supply the emotional appeal. Reminding delegates he was set out by the party's national executive, which included radical measures to reform the professions. (News, Sept 9) The only reference to the yarious institutes came from Norman Mikardo of ASTMS who said they were often “fragmented and insular” But they have much expertise and learning in the technical field and we must take their views into account In plans for the future,” he said All the motions were carried by vast majorities with the few hands raised in disapproval earning boos and mutters from the rest of the delegates anyenvironment you caretoname.We felt there wasn'ta wall in the country that would escape our Labour Party votes to nationalise the construction industry leaving it for the usual econo mics cycles to determine And he reiterated that direct works departments had a powerful role to play if given the status of “municipal build and equipped accounting ‘We've made Portaflek kinder Conference facilities come under fire NFBTE hits out at ‘expensive blunder’ MacphersonThse FreshPaintPeople. hope for the future that any Government attempt- out that Callaghan ing to nationalise, or even part- himself acutely nationalise, the construction the vote losing industry, would be com- capacity of the left’s demands mitting.” Although Portaflek did in fact become the undisputed brand leader itwasmostly ment’s much-postponed Bil “If the Government were to be re-elected with majority the construction industry would be the next LABOUR Party members, who spent time last week criticising design details at the new Brighton Centre, where their annual conference was being held, stumbled upon an embarrassing coincidence. For Russell Diplock Associ- ates, who designed the centre for Brighton Council, are also the architects for the party's Labour's new hq will be in this Georgian terrace in Walworth Road “basically a construction worker” himself, he said the huge numbers of unemployed in the industry was something LABOUR’s plans to nationalise the construction industry would for the nationalisation of the banks opinion in the Labour Party and elsewhere will, |am sure, recognise that construction — by virtue of its very size and diversity — which the party ought to be deeply ashamed Federation of Building Trades Employers last week He said a public procure If the lett Labour Party's Executive Committee has its way, millions upon millions of taxpayers’ and ratepayers money will be sacrificed on the altar of socialist theory,” Morley told NFBTE members in South Wales. industry to National dded a whole range of subtle,beautifulshadesandtexturestosuitevenyourbestfriendsarenotsupeto thing. The problem was one that tell you about. Ours did. Finding the formula which isalmost odour free in THE nationalisation of the construction industry coupled with an immediate Government-led reflationary injection of £1 100m is now official Labour Party policy. Voting in favour of this by an majority at its nce last week ment agency was needed to work out plan programmes of public works instead of and cruelly for a long time. Our statement is the only answer to curing the patient and making him a healthy being,” he said onthe snozzle. The conference also accepted the proposals on construction Hard on the surface. Easy on the eye. And now, atreat to the nose We started with a wall finish that was tough, durable, hygienic, quick to apply and cheap to maintain. expanding their pow Danny ¢ rawford the building workers union UCATT proposing the motion, said construction had too long been “bottom of the list” for Government help The aid, in the form of cash injections in recent months, ‘or use in heavy-traffic areas. So NLL Trade Division, Donald Macpherson & Co Limited, Radcliffe Rd., Bury, Lancs. Drop in delegates attending conference PROVISIONAL _ bookings the high cost of attendance for this year’s RIBA annual £60 plus accommodation and The conference happens to conference indicate a dis- fares. The original cost-cutting clash with the National appointing response with measure of holding the confer Housing ‘77 exhibition and only about 250 delegates ence in London (instead of Town Planning Conference in expected at the final roll- Bournemouth where it was Harrogate, and this 1s expected call, Last year more than originally scheduled) seems to to attract some of the potential 300 turned up and in prev- have backfired. The organisers delegates, said Murray ious years the figures usually haye been charged, internally, forthehireofthehallandthere evened out at about 400 a has been only a small handful year. of architects taking up ofters of ~ Last minute bookings and free or cheap hospitality from day tickets could swel the total London architects but it is unlikely to go over the The organisers have also 300 mark preliminary been unlucky with their main breakdown of the delegates crowd-puller, Peter Jay, who Today and To eheldar RIBA in ¢from October 19-22 Students — eavily subsidised can dl for just £5. displays on show AT LEAST ten different Monique Faye, tapestries from exhibition displays will be on degree students at the Royal show during the conference College of Art, panels on next week, including the first Charles and Ray Eames loaned show of the winners of the by Herman Miller, an Building Design/RIBA Round- exhibition by the Architectural about competition. Press called “Salvage and Other attractions include a Photographs from a collection display of delegates’ own work, taken by Edwin Smith. an exhibition of work by archi- During the conference fects under 35, panels illus- delegates will also be able to trating good landscape design visit two exhibitions of work Provided by the Landscape trom students at Central Lon- Institute, a display of work don Polytechnic and the Poly- from the London Region technic of the South Bank. branches titled “And All the displays will be open tomorrow’, photo murals by to non-conference delegates. was suddenly whisked off to his local authority representatives. new job in Washington earlier BD. goes daily Last year private firms sent 121 this year, and is now unable to iclegates outweighing the 107 attend BUILDING DESIGN will be pub- from public offices. This year Conference co-ordinator, lishing a daily newspaper at this the trend appears to have Lesley Murray, said she was year's conference — along similar hopeful of a few more during lines to the highly successful issues f contributing the last week. “But we are still produced at last year's meeting in involved, but a bit below last year, although Hull. Delegates will find their free s thought to considering the economic sit- copies in the main hall on Thurs- ye the economic recession and uation I don’t think it’s too day, Friday and Saturday mornings. ALLOM O60 Recessed LUMINAIRES Change of face on keynote speaker Students at conference as part of course NEARLY 30 students and staff from Liverpool University School of Architecture will be ALLOMSee Forinstantinformationtick IZ |onreaderinquirycard THE 1977 trial scheme to invite local architects, who are not Thursday October 20: at the attending the conference, along Foundling Hospital, Blooms- to some of the evening social bury, WCI. Buffet, wine and events has met with a “mild” 18th century music. Tickets £9 response, although the each. 8 — Ilpm. Organisers are hopeful of a last Thursday October 20: buffet minute rush for tickets nearer and disco dance on HMS bad,” she said \ NUMBER of minor changes attending this year’s conference have been made to the conter in mass as part of a two-week ence programme Peter course into the effect of Chamberlin of Chamberlin, different practice management Powell and Bon, has been Structures on design forced by poor health to pull out The conference will act as a climax to the course, which is in introduction mto the way in which the final design is influenced by the size and approach adopted by the practice, contractual arrang ments, the type of client, and physical considerations on site. The 23 students attending in block are all on the Part I B(Arch) course, and are in the fourth year of their studies, Michael Manser Clare Frankl of the Thursday morning ses- having just completed a trad- sion. He was originally sche itional BA duled as one of the speakers to Before coming to London for respond to the keynote address. the conference the students will His place will be taken by look at a number of different Michael Manser. practices to try to understand The three other architects the ways in which design is chosen to respond are Cecil formed. Speakers from the Elson, of Elson Pack and Building Design Partnership, Roberts, Gordon Wigglesworth the PSA design office, Ormrod of the GLC, and Clare Frankl, and Partner, a medium-sized a late addition representing local practice, and an ex- young salaried architects. employee of Ove Arup have The aftern session on beenlinedup Friday has been modified The idea of finishing the Slightly from the original plan course at the conference was of Six architects speaking on six dreamed up by year tutor, Alan specific issues (patronage, Brookes. “The conference is directorships, salaried archi- perfect for the course we are tects, the building industry, running here. It couldn't be bureaucracy and controls, and better for us,” he said education). The session is now likely to be conducted as an informal relaxed debate cover ing the subjects more broadly New trial scheme response ismild Wednesday October 19: open- ing reception with buffet supper films, cabaret and review Tickets £8 each. 7.30pm — lpm. the time. “The programme is Belfast has been cancelled due listed in the next column. to lack of response, Evening socials 8 BUILDING DESIGN, October 14, 1977 Variety of exhibition 1s wing back towards Pi and attracted nearly 150 people, mostly representing local h Clerkenwell Workshops. The Dove Centre of Creativ- Glastonbury in Incorporating living as wel as working, and crafts teaching along with production, itisalso in ost authority development and planning departments Last Thursday, however such symposium sponsored by the RIBA and the created Fede mbitious and idealistic. wil influence their future development. Although in general the con- ference was dealing with work ing communities in specific buildings, the desire to se the principle broadened out to include an urban area encom- passing also residential, retail shopping andsocial accommo- aaa wasvoicedbyanumber of5 -JohnMorton, who presentedthe Barlow Mow t t Tee a ‘ a : Hence Sa dallk would Ifthe event can be viewerd as another nail in the cofin comprehensive redevelopment, grandiose commercial and civic schemes, and 30 years (or Workspace, thought that, to do so, the local authority should take the initiative in setting up 4 non-profit trust as a service company, especially in a con- servation area Bi id ; iorattack on the whole f tocraftsmen’ shopfronts th cosa) He saw wy P ceses."Hesaw workingcom munities asaremedial mea sure,countering "30yearsof fipt” and the theat of speculativedevelopment. : “P° Franks thinks the local sometimes crippling a wh town, the concept ofadiversi- fied “community small cSoembinedbled papetrstheatreand cle’ firms looks increasingly attrac ema reclaimed tive facingbricksandtradewindowsto eands— Scuffham’s plea for further irms_collaborat exploration of the possibilities outeachfirmlosingItsown pl dividuality.” Six Londo’ in Heading community proposals. Unless The conference blurb des elma esieieg eeesnere relaxations were made, or a While putting the working system of grants analogous to communitiesconceptinamore Housing Improvement Grants set up, the present situation ing by sharing a building (or for indu buildings), together picked up from the up services and facilities, with flor by Manuela Sykes, En teni trial Chaplaint x se consumption c consumptionof« ing historical build- Act intended as a undertake worth, v nOfficerofthe of V n¢ t! tnd reat b ha ld mak wil be caled) were sen bl under Section 1 floweringofideas like “‘self king iner city” ils, likethe pre ingnedsf r 1 1 c | pri mw | pace fr The new bulldings Later in the day, Reynolds emphasized the political and social necessity for authorities meeting current standards and to channel their limited aid to industry in such a way a’ to minimize unemployment Sitatead picturesquebasinonthe North London Isacomplex community and that the work- the resent highly _popul feels the nn focal authority work are usually so high that many necessary pt jects become unfeasible. speakers noted the difficulty of dustrial of which are of revolving fund, has ben mad ani tectur vailable under the administrs wellas economic, ¥ tion of the Industrial Common Thetensionembodiedinthe Ow shipMovement(ICOM). o industrial ° hat aditional d . 4 HAVING demonstratedIntheClerkenwellWorkshops“theprinciple of quick, cost-effective renewal using existing alldings,” Mike Is now seting his sights onthe 5 ling area. With an £8000JieGrantessetinguptheCerealrastforUrban Renewalandhas work tlswekonsxseslntheClerkexvell tto nied“outthat aditional.decision-making It creates dela : sisdeCOMCO andSeaT Aiea lecoration anc tenance requirements largest supplier ofprecast concrete structure : 7 ¥ adecade. raceof planingightandhavebenvacantfradecade.Theeraofre peoplea Screen che eds ntenance requiremen What BP frames,Whateveryournceds,Atcost canalmost “| tronthaleratr Anumberofspeakerstes Atcost Frames.Buiilt-in fire EaeresistancemeansbuiltIneconomy|nestndustrialDivisionSE ES }buldin, acts the to catalyst tomarket placepro htheorg i fire-casing steelwork sitetnotonlycastlgnleatimeconeinatae iharencronetheater . Green Conservation oe rojects range from creating& garden, omen tet 1gwith astudytoassess what growsrat the iothe reinstatement of “thelast example of early htheprovisionof RRpeatee rf quirementupto‘and Tees tproductionfacilitiesare excessof30metres. An: 7 t retextnicturalfeare rebullttoaccommodate,onceagain,craftsmen'sresideonctehse Wreenndtthleirhweroksopacressabore.Pranksodkethertso be taken ov ‘completionnext year by acommunity organ! Caer [easenemunderacevensawhichwouldforexample, ‘ y Teen Ua id ong the largest and most advancec “Ope todealwithaservice threstoreys.Andmeetthefire Ss eryon schedulei A ape Position Rh society onth twa pilars company having ful responsi r ring up to 4hours fire = of“acquisitionandcompet vfortheenterprise. Most esistang houtanyaditional sitework Henenlase} sured. And you 1ebenefitsofhigh technology duct project, give special thought to the fire regulations. AndthenthinkAtcost.Evenifyouonlywant | requlre the occupants to take on apprentices. lesaw in orking ofthe ae communities” the possibility ca fortheco-operative, limited: withaconsultativefunction a TM =s = I 1 peor eur co uns |: )ld Rond Street. L MuntaRoad.Stil ' WIN SDA Ted. DA Tel:Stirling6291 1demonstrationfwhaltocalsathortiy rees Coulddo.Atpresent,winotbuhdget idam renewal projects, the council's reralkasl been rastcieliaita But, of course, the TY AlthhaismsadeTheAtcostGroupBritain's eratesbeakperkibanytpeteage(teClerkenwell” Shownhereinthetpresentconditionth,eyhavespe30nytearsunder | certainlymeetthem-includingclearspansin peaneXUDayouineLaingseOUAen | pan. aIt-i _—— For instant information tick inquiry card 01-495 080. nd Contain‘saveral]lonter:oes BUILDING DESIGN, June 17, 197 15 conference held at the RIBA last week on the role of work communities in urban renewal. up-market, relatively elegant conversions for architects, graphic designers and other professionals, likeSDey reet an #pace tallarger lower budget conversions for skilled crafts- Mike Franks of the Clerken- wel Workshops stressed that local authorities for the future development of working com- munities, Anational “revolving fund" was suggested by Ron Renata paestedby,Ron ValuerattheGLC, speaking fromtheflorinanindividual capacity,toenablelocalautho- ritiestounderwrite“thetop slice of therisk" in setting upa working community. He also pointed out that one obstacle to the development of more we's is the reali cally high i|pree which 5 are oeiriany vacate Dales edthekeyroleofsympathetic theareawastherealworking realistic perspective, this also highlightedthediversityofthe schemes which had earlier been presented. They ranged from ditions would continue. authorityhasavitalroletoplay but that this partnership with a non- promis commun. . He which condemns many people to work in “Dickensian” con 4 BUILDING DESIGN, June 17/1877 IT IS very unlikely that five Bob Maltz reports ona years ago, when the con- cepts embodied in “Worl ing Communities and Urban Renewal” were the concerns of a few voices in thewilderness, aconference on the subject would have hi kSi Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource AJ, BD, Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Murray Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource From Nov 1975 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/e61d45ec6196158c51a4458ec08dbf16.pdf de66bc96d1d88057c31f371333b80261 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Harrogate Founding Congress Subject The topic of the resource The Harrogate Congress was the founding of NAM. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Various Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 21-23 November 1975 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Press Release Subject The topic of the resource Press Release for 1st NAM Congress with proposals for Profession, Practice and Education. (4 sides) Description An account of the resource hit>LEg,Meuse oT The N.A.M. Congress was heid at the Royal Baths Conference Centre, Harrogate, from 21st/23rd November, 1975. It was chaired by Mr, Peter Whelan and Miss Nikki Hay, both freelance writers and non-architects. The congress was initiated and organised by the Architects Revolutionary Council (1.R.C.) which handled all the advance publicityand accomrodatiion, but emphasised that their function was one of organisation only. The congress having begun, A.R.G. became fust one viewpoint anong many. The conference particiuants repre ed wide spectrum of the architectural profession,: incir ; laried architects, principals, technicians, students, teachers, es well as non architects. The coneress was based on the nremis that therc exists a rapidly growing dissatisfaction with the arc itectural profession. This premise was borne out by the congres 's misgivings about Min. ee si 2 - Alun ae aa 2 7 1 7 The many issues debated included What eifect Jo centralisa nh anu bureaucracy have on architects in Local government : 4 SelfManagenent What woud be the implications orofits were chared by principals private vee 5 Redundancie What will be tne effect of in architecture * Could if both responsibility and and assistants alike in ths growing aumber of redundancies alternative forms of practising & nionisation architecture ? this spur on ane movenent towards what shouic the cpproach of architects be to the Unions which already exist ? i Hducation Rees Keenst 2% suail sector of ? Should architect- jLic, and if so, how Do architects need their own union ? If so, in what way would the function of vnat union differ from the R.I.B.A.? If not, Who should control accessibility to and certification of architectural education ° What sort of education should that be °? @ "7TEMP« 25rd November, 1975 The conpress:. decided on. the following course of action for the immediate future: ‘ The members of the congress would begin setting up discussion groups in their own ereas to debate relevant issues. These groups would include all those involved in the built environment, designers and users. A second congress would be held in about three months' time. Volunteers from this congress have agreed to organise this and to act as liaison and contacts until the next congress only, after which a new liaison group would take over, thus hopefully avoiding the creation of a bureaucracy. The congress agreed to pool its experience of working for change, including failures as well as successes, and to build up a body of written work based on this experience, that could be circulated for disucssion before the second congress. Contact address: 10 Perey Sirest, Loudon W 4 PROPOSALS ON EDUCATION The 2 'A' level entry requirement to architecture schools is not a worthwhile criteria for selecting students, and that the special entry facility should be used more fully. School leavers should be encouraged to spend a year out between school and college, and that colleges should offer deferred places to allow this to happen. Greater opportunities should exist. for mature students and special courses established for mature technicians, That college prospectii should include a student written section. That all schools .of architecture should have student societies with funds and self-government. nes Encourage all schools to fully participate in the Schools of Architecture Council. Tx Ensure staff and student representation on college academic and governing bodies. 8. Encourage staff and student exchanges nationally and internationally. 9. Students transfering colleges should need only the consent of the new college. 10. Expendpart-timecoursesandensuretheiradequaterepresentationonallbodies affecting then. 11. Gain student representation on a reformed ARCUK Board of Education. 12. Establish responsibilities between local schools and practices. Establish links between schools and the community. 14. Allow teaching staff time and resources to develop their own courses, 1D Encourage employment of short term staff, and discontinue the practice of academic appointments for life. 46, Inadequate staff should be dismissable at the instigation of staff and students, serie Encourage the development of self motivated courses and projects as these give greater educational benefits. 18, Course structuring should not be so rigid as to forbid random/spontaneous activities on occasions. 19. Traditional exams are an inadequate guide to the educational development of students and should be replaced by sensible forms of continuous, assessment. 20. Part I should be regarded as notionally equal in all 38 schools, while main- taining individual characteristics; this would allow transfer between all colleges at this stage. 2A. Part II courses should include students from other courses though the final . qualifications would be different in name. 226 Part III, as in the EEC, should be taken while at college. 23. The RIBA "Visiting Board" system, to be replaced by an ARCUK body that has 13+ equal public, studént, staff and practitioners representation, 26 a 4. Ie Cn 3e PRACELCH /ROPOSALS PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE PROFESSION By adopting the following Principles environment." "For the benefit of the public, environmental practitioners, practices and education are to maximize their potential to create a socially responsible The new movement can truly claim that its interests lie not with the finanoial client but with the public. Instead of starting from a charter that beiins,| with "the advancement of architecture", we start from a social commitment to the public. While in the past a professional has been able to exist by being competent and honest, we place his usefulness to society Natuaally, his usefulness will also rely on him being competent and honest. That ARCUK be reformed by government so as to ensure an adequate accountability to the public. That architectural education is controlled by a reformed ARCUK Board of Education equally representative of the public, academics, That the Scale of Fees charged by architects be controlled by the government. as the future deciding factor. practitioners and students. To relate architects directly to clients and users. Draw up 2 list of professionals willing to do voluntary work. That all offices introduce worker participation in the management, to include all staff. To instigate situations where architects have responsibilities to specific communities, either through adopting local government offices or by setting up a new situation, Town Planning and Building Regulations be revised to wake them more applicable to the principles of serving the public without waste of resources etc. To speak out on all controls that deprive the environment of a humane and responsible development: i.e. cost yard-sticks, individual building programmes, large scale developments, property speculation. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Press Release Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived JA Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 22.11.75 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/b346dce53d26d2e13c94e9436e22861c.pdf adda4d8de5a61063abd68172d278c84f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Trade Unions and Architecture Description An account of the resource Themes included action on asbestos and Health & Safety, and involvement with Direct Labour Organisations and Building Unions. Following comparative research of possible options, NAM encouraged unionisation of building design staffs within the private sector, negotiating the establishment of a dedicated section within TASS. Though recruitment was modest the campaign identified many of the issues around terms of employment and industrial relations that underpin the processes of architectural production. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Professional Representation Subject The topic of the resource Article in Architectural Design "Democracy for Architects" Description An account of the resource 156 AD/3/76 LOUIS HELLMAN reports on the evolution of bodies which represent the interests of architects in Britain. The formation of the architec- tural profession in the United Kingdom early in the 19th century occurred at a time when the public estimation of archi- tects had never been lower. Corruption and fraud were rife among those who assumed the title of architect. And architects generally, having lost the privileges of private patronage, had the task of persuading their potential clientele, the newly- emerged capitalist class, that they had an indispensible service to offer, namely architectural design as opposed to mere building. So in line with the other professions, a group formed itself into a professional body (The Royal Institute of British Architects) which imposed codes of conduct on itself and controlled membership in return for social status. Its codes and _ regulations were designed to protect a small associ- ation of private practitioners serving the new moneyed elite. Despite the later impact of the English Free Architecture Movement at the end of the century, inspired by William Morris’ revolutionary notions regarding the social responsi- bility of the artist, and despite the subsequent development of the Modern Movement along similar lines, there was until very recently little commitment to the architect’s wider responsi- bilities to the community on the part of the Institute. The RIBA is still seen as an elitist club for private principals serving a power elite. Poster for Greater London Council Architect's movement for partici-. pation in internal decision making. Louis Hellman: ‘Arguably — the greatest living architectural cartoon- ist? (Martin Pawley), Hellman is also an architect and architectural critic. PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION — mS ieee al CWE 4 e six wise giants were not deterred. ing ‘software’, and giggling about ism’, ‘fragmentation’ and ‘the time »’,unswayed, the magnificent six strode ' stewing impermanent light-weight struc- tes on al sides, hung about with inflat- 'dbles, while electronics abounded. First they “wandered along separate unexplored paths — always dreaming. Their dreams were of _yillages that mushroomed up hydraulically “under inflatable umbrellas, magic carpet cases, all serviced with loving care by - computers in the cybernetic forest. On the edge.of the forest they discovered the wonders of suburbia and, touching it with their special powers, they transmogrified it into suburban adhocs. Consulting and co-operating with the _-witches and warlocks, they decided to go back to nature. And there were many hangers-on. Frequently back-tracking, but in the general direction of forward, the six wise giants played a major ‘now you see it now you don’t’ game with bumps and lumps, and delights. In their search for hybrids, they produced cities in craters and buildings ~underground, artificial islands and sponge oy,JRESPoOwsv = aay! buildings. By now they had become indi- viduals, and ambled their various ways always questing and questioning. Had their journey been a volte-face? Or had they gone full circle only to return to the spot they had set out from? It was too difficult and too boring a question. The six wise giants quickened their pace and the gnomes watched them pass, but they never looked back. They .were laughing, wise in their insecurity and armed with their special knowledge and fresh appetites, they knew _ they would always be happy ever after. Arehigram 1961-1976 (the first 15 years): Peter Cook, Warren Chalk, Dennis Crompton, David Greene, Ron Herron, Mike Webb. : _ Chit > ve 155 = was a move to make the immediacy of the present — its here-and-nowness — more accessible. This is the raison d’etre of Instant City — mobile, mould- ing itself to what already exists, making the experience of the environment more intense. Metamorphosis The move from a visionary future of controlled change to one of convivial adaption found its expression in adhocism. The sheer novelty of the idea that in practice meaning is rarely as explicit as architects had supposed, completely disrupted all expectations about style. The discovery of ambiguity in meaning in archi- tecture was total anathema to the singular purpose of the Modern Movement, which was to contrive explicit monumental metaphors to the ideal of a clean aesthetic. Reeling from the surprise, and ina race to resolve it, all talk turned to that tangible image of ambiguity — adhocism. Charlie Jencks and Nat Silver wrote a book about it, and Peter Cook devised his Addhox Metamorphosis of the suburban street — Mon Repos. The biological disintegration of his Urban Mark, which followed, is a fantastic extension of Archigram’s constant theme of continuing change. This, and more lately, Sponge, is the concept of a city totally responsive to its environment, no longer controlling it, but metamorphosising into it — metaphorically putting paid to the notion ofa hard-edged reality. RR. Professional disarray . Jameson can appeal on-TV for’ Since World War II the archi- tectural profession has experi- enced an ever-increasing polar- isation between the old private sector and the expanding public sector, or in-house local govern- ment architects’ Small private firms departments formed to cope with large, roll- ing building programmes in the educational and public housing fields. Today accounts for the greater part of building activity. The leaders of the public sector departments, the senior officers, became in- creasingly aware that the RIBA was doing little to protect or represent their interests as _salaried architects. They engaged in persistent lobbying culminated in the so-called ‘sub- scription crisis’ of the RIBA in 1972, when the vast majority of members turned down a pro- this sector which |AM A SURGEON. . LAM AT THEToPoF My PROFESSIOn .ONE OF TRE FEW WHO CAN PER- “FORM A COMPLICATED ENCEPHALOMALECTONY SUCCESSFULLY? “ 1AM AN ARCHITECT, | AK AMONG THE MosT HIGHLY PAILIN MY - PROFESSION... - |SIGN LETTERS ! 157 1AM A SaenTist. |AM PUSHING FORWARD THE FRONTIERS OFBlo- PHYSICS . |AM ConsiDER- fo oP IN THEREL- OF SUBATOMIC Atty / ehTOnic nel fession into disrepute by their willing complicity in themegalo- maniac ambitions of big business and big bureaucracy are the very architects who control the pro- fessional bodies, They have a vested interest in the maintain- ance of their unrepresentative structures. They devalue archi-- posal to increase the member- and nurses, they are turning to ship fee. Since 80% of: the the trades unions as an altern- Today the architectural ative, not a supplement, to thé profession faces a similar situ- RIBA. As members of a local ation to that which existed at its to subsidise activities and government union, they can see inception. Well-publicised services which were only in the the possibilities of improving the reports of corruption, building interests of the ruling minority. political context in which they failures, both technical and Either because it was unaware of work, and not just the physical social, and the indisputable ugli-- the significance of this vote of conditions or salary structures. no confidence, or because it was very cunning, the Institute reacted by proposing a separate organisation for salaried Through union activity and with the co-operation of other union- ised professions, they can be more effective as a pressure group to resolve the conflicts between professionalism, which stresses individual choice, and bureaucracy, which relies on collective responsibility. Their unions can liase with other unions or community-based groups, such as tenants associ- ations, to press for greater parti- cipation in the decision-making and design processes of local government. ness ‘and inhumanity of so many architect-designed schemes have helped to reduce the ‘status of architects to. the point where market-researcher Conrad the removal of the profession from the realm of public auth- ority housing — an area in which it was felt we had the greatest contribution to make. More significantly, architects .along with planners and developers are seen to be actively siding with the forces of power and capital against the interests of the com- munity, who may receive with derision the former’s plea of professional impartialityI.n such a situation it is not surprising that the structure of the pro- fession and its institution is in a state of disarray and confusion. The profession was born out of the rise of capitalism; will it fade with the crisis of capitalism? “membership were salaried, they could see no reason to pay more~.. members which would perform the functions of a union by maintaining salaries and working conditions to complement, not replace, the RIBA: This body, The Association of Official Architects, has in fact received little support as its functions are made redundant by real unions, and it is run by the senior-officer establishment who see no case for any fundamental changes in local authority departments. tation of their fellow pro- fessionals. . The RIBA has _ always Local authority contingent stressed, perhaps rightly, that it It may seem strange that ina nominally democratic body where the ruling council is voted in by a majority of salaried members, the bosses continue to tule. This is partly explained by the loaded voting system, partly by the conditioning architects receive which tends to lead them to believe that everyone in the profession is working for its best interests, and partly by sheer apathy. It seems increasingly is bound by its charter to act as At the same time, many local- more apparent that the RIBA is a learned society furthering the authority architects resent the unable or unwilling to change to cause of architecture and not as image of the profession that the meet the conditions of the time a union concerned with the established institutions propa- and democratically represent the material advancement of its gate. They feel that these bodies interests of the majority of members; those who require this give praise and rewards to architects. kind of protection should join the prima donna, monumental- one of the existing unions: Un- functionalist kind of archi- fortunately the professional pretence of being concerned with service to the community rather than with material self- interest has again been exposed for the sham it is. The RIBA, in fact, operates as a union for the powerful minority — fixing fees, controlling advertising, touting, and generally looking after the business interests of firms. The great majority of architects have no clients, no fees and no the promotion of good architec- business interests since they are employed by other architects or by public bodies. ture, However many pronounce- ments are made about the quality of architecture, or lip- ‘Younger architects, especially service-paying additions to the in the public sector, are increas- code referring to the architect’s ingly opting out of the RIBA, obligation to society, the real and seeing it as irrelevant to activities of the Institute are their role as public servants. seen to be operating against Along with other professionals those very ideals. Those archi- in the public sector such as tects who have been mainly teachers, civil servants, doctors responsible for bringing the pro- tecture that receives lavish cover- age in the glossy magazines: whereas they see architecture in the Morris sense as a service to the community where the ego- boosting art monument has no relevance. They resent, too, the RIBA’s stress on architecture as a business with its continuous stream of advice on management techniques and related subjects, none of which seem relevant to tecture and creativity at every Opportunity, and they deny the connection between designer and design to justify the exploi- In the face of the growing pressure from the public sector, splinter groups from the private- practitioner side have also emerged to safeguard the interests of the medium-sized and smaller private practices, They see the public sector as a threat not only to their work load, but to the quality of archi- tecture in general. The idea of bureaucracy acting as client miti- gates against the kind of pro- fessional service and personal attention which, in their view, the small private practice jis ideally suited to provide. They are equally alarmed at the ever- expanding building programmes of the public sector which, together with the decrease in private jobs resulting from the recession, are forcing small firms FAMOUS ARCHITECT . emerged which attempts to cut across this public/private polar- isation, and also to commit itself to a decisive vision of society in the near future. It accepts the public-sector radical’s view of the RIBA as a bosses’ organis- ation and an obstacle to change; at the same time it is opposed to centralised bureaucracy which action concerns the organisation alienates the users. The base of these radical movements is firmly that of community action: the involve- ment of the architect directly of the profession along very different lines to promote service to the community as a matter of policy rather than vague intention. The present an architect. SYNECTIC PROXEMICS. ABILITES... areas for potential action seem petence. Every qualified archi- Yugoslavia is often quoted. to have emerged so far from the tect should be fully responsible There, the size of practices is group’s discussions and con- directly to his client and not via limited by law to not more than gresses. a partner or senior officer. The five architects who share re- The first area relates to the RIBA should be reorientated sponsibility equally. Work is involvement of ‘ordinary’ people accordingly to look after the obtained, not through the thinly needs of the actual architects, veiled touting activities of a those who draw, design, and boss, but by allocation, much as supervise the erection of build- doctors in Britain are allocated ings rather than those ‘archi- practices under the National tects’ in name. only who have Health Service. London-based and orientated, it is accused of being out of touch with the provincial silent ma- those of a doctor, should be their work rather than for their would alter the context of the jority of smaller practices. available to everyone. Whether ability to play golf or bend the architect’s, work but not the Recently a third group has such groups come from the code of conduct. . method of work. They would, public or the private sector is More importantly, such a however, have far reaching impli- irrelevant. The important factor move to emancipate the job cations as far as architectural is that they have the power and architects would help to reduce education is concerned. Archi- desire to engage the services of the scale of jobs. Objections to tects would have to be educated to close and their members to seek employment with local authorities. They believe the result will be a totalitarian monopoly on one hand, and large, impersonal private offices on the other. They would prefer to see an expansion of the private sector through the sale of council houses, and the use of private firms by local authorities as Opposed to in-house architec- ture departments. The RIBA is seen to be equally unrepresen- tative of this group’s interests; in the planning and architectural decisions which affect them, and ultimately depends upon the acquisition of power by local communities through devolution or direct action. Architects com- mitted to this process have a trolling positions in the pro- duty to make their services avail- fession by means of their able in some form to threatened business or political contacts. or deprived groups: ideally, the Architects could then be seen to the organisational structure of services of an architect, like be rewarded for of the quality of the profession suggested here this are usually that there is not to shoulder responsibility on enough work to go round to receiving their qualification, and keep Britain’s 22 000 qualified not waste years as drawing-board architects independently occu- fodder for office hierarchies. pied. But a better answer might This implies a longer period of be that there are not enough practical training or apprentice- clients. Vast schemes are, or ship, perhaps culminating in a have been until recently, carried variation of the masterwork — a out by relatively few practices small completed building which and authorities employing would be judged by the users hundreds of architects in a and community, as well as by menial capacity. If this workload the professionals. surrogate client in the form of often put forward as an insuper- groups of two or three archi- which the architect may support a bureaucratic committee or able barrier to any idea of user- tects, then the ideal of user- but over which he has no direct management board claiming to participation. To counteract this participation in design could be control. However, we can put monotor the needs and require- structure, ARC and NAM achieved more easily. One might our own political/professional ments of others. The precise propose office self-management, even envisage a time when house in order and try to regain strategy of movements like The the sharing of both responsi- groups of council tenants choose the public’s confidence in our Radical reaction The second area for potential with the community he builds autocratic and hierarchical struc- for, at the design stage and not ture of the profession operates through the medium of a against such involvement and is smaller segments manageable by depend on political changes Architect’s Revolutionary bility and profit equally by all their architect. The bringing abilities, and in the contribution we can make to society’s well- Architecture Movement (NAM) ARCUK (not to be confused concerned with the quality of being. Too often the architect is Council (ARC) or The New members of an office. The together of the two groups most is still being formulated (and, with the official Registration the finished product —_ the asked to act contrary to his one hopes, ridding itself of a lot Council) group have taken this designer and the user — could do of pseudo-revolutionary rhetoric further to mean that no archi- nothing but improve the quality in the process), as evidenced in tect should be able to employ of the architecture. At the the confusion over their relation- another, an idea aimed at the moment, we often bring ship with the RIBA: whether to private sector but applicable together only those least con- change it, fight it or destroy it. equally to the public. The cerned about the detailed The consensus of opinion, how- current situation in which quality — the bureaucrat and the ever, seems to be towards the salaried architects are exploited manager. professional ethic. Sometimes he complies, sometimes he complies under protest, but very rarely does he stand up for the right of everyone to environmental equality, irrespective of econ- omical or _ political vested interests. We need an organis- second option, by forming an and divested of responsibility for As an example of this kind of ation that will support the alternative power base. However, basic decision-making invites small-scale office self-manage- architect when he finally makes two basic and interdependent irresponsibility and incom- 158 AD/3/76 ment, the situation operating in that kind of stand. insinuated themselves into con- could be broken down into Some of these proposals Drawing board fodder The fundamental changes in FOR My YEAR OUT’ |JOINED A LARGE LOCAL AuTHOeY OF REPUTE... MY Boss HAD RISEN THROUGH THE RANKS on ACCOUNT OF HIS MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL THEN |WENT “TO ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL... MY FIRST TUTOR HAD BECOME INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS “THROUGIHIS RESEARCH Io THE SeMI- LATTICE HIERARCHICAL RECOMPOSITION OF WHEN |WAS YOUNG |DREAMED OF BECOMING A SO |BOUGHT MYSELF ADRAWING BOARD. SUCH BOOKS AS "The Ecology of Organonic Sociometry inLaunderette Planning’, ANDPOUTICALCOMMECTIONS|WPICIVATE if oePer pesve We're ALL PRoeESHONALS TOCETHER! PERHAPS ARCHITECTS ARE NOT SO BAO ASA PROFESSION AFTER ALL| 10 YEARS QUAUFIED ANO STUL 1M 159 IN MY FINAL YEARS |WAS TAUGHT By THE |FINALLY QUALIFIE.D.. PROFESSOR ... MY EXTERNAL EXAMINE? HAD GAINED A HE WAS RENOWNED FOR HIS AUTHORSHIP OF POSITION OF POWSIC, AND ESTEEM INTHE YESTEDAY |THINK MY DREAM BEGAN “70 fRIBA AS A RESLLT OF HIS BUSINESS COME TRUE... | SOLO MY DRAWING Board NaN Yonaren GCI CE ETEC er Becidenticln Hi-tech systems. Foster's [BM mirror-box at Common denominators. All the buildings have Havant, Hampshire was proposed as an architec- similar uses — office administration, computer tural answer to package-deal system-building. It machine spaces, and restaurants. All have small proved immensely popular to a profession deeply areas of window relative to the floor space created. concerned by the inroads package-dealers were All use servicing systems based on standard com- making into their territory at the time. Its success ponents, applied in ways which balance the often lay in re-thinking the existing boundaries within conflicting needs for simplicity, technological industry and using the available technologies ap- honesty and fuel economy. Charles Jencks recently introduced him as the most significant Mainstream Modern Movement architect in Britain. It is an accolade difficult to find fault with, for Norman Foster and Foster Associates have earned an international reputation for their highly ordered and explicitly technological buildings. And although many myths sur- round their work, making it almost imposs- ible to separate fact from fantasy, a review of the last 10 years points to important changes and consistencies in their function- alist use of technology. In the sixties, when systems set the standards for architecture, Foster Associates showed the architectural world something of the processes of systemdtic thinking. Com- missioned by IBM to administer a system- built package-deal contract for some pre-fab temporary accommodation, they systemati- cally reorganised not only the building’s brief, but also the users’ management struc- ture. The building they produced sealed within its coo] bronze, mirror-glass gasketed facades unprecedented economic flexibility and environmental control. IBM formed part of the cumulative architectural fantasy of the time for ahi-tech future. When the Wills Faber Dumas building was completed, it demonstratively took thi. fantasy to new heights in the realm of what propriately. ’Shape. Shape. WFD competitive with conventional Direct response to-existing grain timber system building. Single of streets and buildings. Low fragmented into dispersed but storey repetitive frame. Low- profile compatible with ‘the cost — high utilisation. Ex- conflicting needs of client activ- tremely low window-to-floor ities, circulation, site lines, ratio ‘Green field’ site. structure. Low _ floor-to-wall many~ years. Building both Skin. ratio on three floors. raised and constructed off the ground. Skin. Skin. Repetitive for low-cost. Single- Exercise in reductive detailing. 10mm clear glass with motor- skin spectra float and manually High performance 12mm solar operated roller blinds provide a control glass with flexible relatively low-grade of solar con- silicone joints. Excellent trol but effective and practical acoustic qualities. No blinds — in the circumstances. Standard unobstructed views. No opening systems extended further by {DPARKING.02MOTORS neoprene section gives good lights in wall but top lighting of linking them with horizontal acoustic seal and easy to replace escalator well — an inseparable mirrors to catch low sun. glass if damage occurs. No top part of the internal concept. lighting. No opening lights. Services. Services. Services. Roof-mounted, unitary air Heavy central plant located at Natural ventilation systems conditioning units with distri- ground slab level, distributing dominate. Raised building form bution in a constant depth services to dispersed air con- generates a reservoir of cold air structure and service zone. ditioning plant rooms embedded which is drawn through the ‘Fixed’ plant areas at ground in the plan. Elimination § of building section in summer. level virtually eliminated. Flex- major sources of vibration and Suspended floor used as a press- ibility improved. Design rooted other noise factors and re- urised plenum, eliminating ducts in the classic comparison duction of ceiling space to mini- and providing warm _ floor. between systems approath and mise the overall height of the Occupied space and roof space ‘systems building’: in this case building. In servicing terms, a free of plant. Electricity used the alternative offered — with low energy-consuming building. exclusively to take advantage of internal courts — covered considerably more surface area, and had a very much higher floor-to-wall ratio as a result. 160 AD/3/76 Shape. Same areas involved as WFD but identifiable pavillions. Direct response to mature forest which has remained undisturbed for ized external blinds exploits dull but bright conditions. Ability to open up sections in summer for smells and sounds. Top lighting local hydroelectric power. Self- sufficient systems for water and drainage. Recirculation of Dumas’ new building in Ipswich, with its undulat- sewage, water, and paper. ‘TECH TOA Hi-tech precision. On the surface, Willis Faber & ing facade and see-through fabric, appears to be a patent-glazed, hi-tech monument to the principles Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Louis Hellman Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Allan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01 March 1976 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/c8185c525740ab62c1e609425bac4fda.pdf 64ba8a1b3a2ba6d5ec693bb6af9a4f14 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Professional Issues Description An account of the resource A cohort of NAM members became engaged with the professional registration body, standing as elected councillors on the Architects Registration Council and its various committees. Hitherto entirely dominated by the RIBA bloc, the Council began to yield to a new dynamic through NAM's involvement, enabling fresh perspectives on such issues as mandatory fee scales, greater lay representation on the body, ethically-based standards of professional conduct, etc. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Professionalism Subject The topic of the resource 9 page report on aspects of the professional in architecture Description An account of the resource ANNE DELANEY Cardiff NAM Group November 1976 PROFESSIONALISM CONTENTS 1 0 The "ideal type" professional 0 Area of controversy in the theory of professions. Disatisfaction with the profession o? architecture 40 Barriers to "positive" practice of architecture. 5. Professionalism as ideology. 60 Archi tecture re—located. Re—location of architecture illustrated, Conclusion. 90 References. 1. TYPE"' PROFESSIONAL Much has been •written about the "sociology of the professions" 0 From the mass of literature on the subject, three 0012B ecsentialg of the ideal type professional emerge. . a knowledge base. autonomy 3. service ideal 1 . knowledge' It is seen as a responsibliity of a professional to be• knowledgeable. large part of this professional knowledge is considered to come only from experience. Possession of this knowledget is seen to carry with it some degree of exclusivity, which is explained by the fact that the knowledge itselR is "exclusive" Or esoteric or specific to that profession. 2. autonomy This implies the professional's right be be judged by his/her peers were no planning control at all, there would be a great deal to scream about, and aesthetic chaos would reign. Just think of all those unimaginative clients you have had; just think of all those nol'Ä architects getting away with plain murder". (2) The professional's justification for •allowing only architects to get- away with plain murder, is the cl•åim to specialised knowledge outlined above. 3 9 service ideal The Service ideal is implicit in the professional t s supposed view of his work as a "vocation" or •n calling't o The •base for this "vocation" in architecture seems to be a combination . of what might be called evangelism, utopian vision, and social conscience. Another R IBM quote; "The obj ect (of architecture) is to demonstrate that ordered human activi ty• is wonderful that human life really is worthwiile and can become miraculous when developed, and that poverty of feeling and thought ig the real evil and tthe root of econimic poverty" 0 (3) The second arm OE the service ideal is the supposed vi al truism of professionals. This altruism is said to take several forms professionally. The first is non—comercialismo RIBAJ quote nog 3: "The essence of professional practice is service; profit, if there be any, should always take second place in the motivation". (4) The second form altruism is said to take is that of disinterestedness, balancing the "often contradictory demands (of clients) by maintaining a rigid, and often detached, professionalism" 0 (5) Altruism is further seen as necessary in enabling the professional to be advocate of the "long term View'% Quote; "The battle i'g to persuade or force someone who has a partial view to accept that there are overall considerations which must averride his requirements. it is a in these sorts of terms that "professionalism" is discussed in sociological theory. 2. AREA OF CONTROVERSY IN THEORY OF PROFESSIONS All this is not to suggest that such a discussion is purely academic or neutral. An area of controversy appears to exist around the subj ect, and two main themes or viewpoints about professionalism emerge. first I've termed "POSITIVE", the second "NEGATIVE". 1. First the "positive" What are some of the defences of professionalism? To put it crudely who thinks professionalism is a "good" thing, and why? early defend(rof professionalism was Emile Durkheim who considered "that the break—up of the traditional moral order initiated by the fragmenting division of labour, would be rectified only by the formation of moral communes based upon occupational membership". The function of the professions was, he believed, to bring cohesion to a society "lacking in stability, whose discipline it is easy to escape, and whose existence is not always felt". He saw the professions as distinct from industry and trade, where "individuals, while connected by competition, (were) almost entirely removed from the moderating effects of obligations" (6) In 19219 R H Tawney was saying that we lived in an "acquisitive society" where community interest had been almost entirely subverted self— interest 0 He saw professionalism as the "major force capable of subjugating rampant individualism to the needs of the community". (7) It has been suggested that professions are to be distinguised from other occupations by their "altruism", which is expressed in the service" orientation of professional people. A 1939 argument against state control ran as follows: "(Individualism) may mean the belief that the individual is the true unit of service, because service depends on individual qualities and individual judgement supported by individual responsibility which cannot be shifted onto the shoulders of others. That is the essence of professionalism, and it is not concerned with self—interest but with the welfare OE the client" (8) Talcott Parsons, too, held the view that professions are activated by the cormon good, and could be dis t inguised by their "collectivity orientation rather than self—orientation". He took this as an assurance that "science would be applied in the service of man". (9) As recently as 1970t Paul Halmos has written about the "personal service society", with professionals as "the leaders in the creation of a new moral uniformity, a moral order influencing all industrial societies, whatever their political structure" 0 (10) In this context, the professions are seen as one of our most effective counter—revolutionary forceso In 1933 Carr—Saunders and Wilson were claiming that the professions "inherit, preserve, and pass on a tradition • they engender modes of life, habits of thought, and standards of judgement which render them centres of resistance to crude forces which threaten steady and peaceful evolution . the family, the church, and the universities, certain associations of intellectuals, and above all the great professions, stand like rocks against which the waves raised by those forces beat in vain". (11) 2. What about the "negative" viewpoint? Who thinks professionalism is a "bad thing, and why? Max Weber did not distinguish much between the consequences Of profes— sionalism and bureaucratisation seeing both processes as expression of the increasing rationalisation of Western ciVi1isationo The professional, as technician or expert, was caught up in the bureaucratic machine, his/her function being to bring "knowledge to the service of power?? • (12) C Wright Mills feared that the professions were increasingly succumbing to what he termed a "managerial domiurge" • "Much professional work has become divided and standardised and fitted into now hierarchical organi— sations intensive narrow specialisation has replaced self—cultivation cmd wide knowledge successful professional men become more and more the managerial types". (13) Michael Young in "The Rise of the Meritocracyt has argued that the fusion of knowledge and power has created a new kind of professional—technocrat who is in process of replacing existing ruling groups. This has been termed the "managerial revolution" and it has been suggestdd that this revolution consists of a "drive for dominance, for power and privilege, for the position of ruling class" by managers and professionals. 3.0 DISSATISFACTION WITH PROFESSION OF ARCHITECTURE This begins to describe the theory of professions, but what about the practice as opposed to the theory? How does this theory manifest itself in practice? Peter Shepheard, in his introduction to Malcolrn Mac-Ewen's book t Crisis in Architecture' gays that architects "seem oblivious or even contemptuous of the fact that much of their work is hated by the poeple who live with it. They tend to accuse the public of lack of taste for not appreciating the formal qualities of brutal and inhuman buildings whi h one can only assume to have been built for the admiration of other archi tects. Nothing is more urgent for the future of architecture than that architects should develop a deeper sense of responsibility as the creators of large parts of our environrnentqc (15) Malcolm MacEwen says "if architects have used human needs as a camouflage for other motives, and have succumbed to mechanistic fallacies, they have been almost alone in tending to see their buildings in a human and social context rather than, . as the other design professions, as technical solutions to technical problems. There. remains in architecture a solid, core of able men and women who want to serve society, if it will let themj and have useful skills for doing (16) This seems to be borne out by Alan Lipman's findings in his analysis of "architecural belief systems" that "architects tend to place the satisfaction of human need at the centre of their professional objectives"' (17) We could think of Alan Lipman t s architects as potentially opitomising what I have called the "positive" view of professionalism. How they? can we explain his findings in the light of evident current dissatisfaction with the architectural profession? Architects purporting to support the 49positivect view of professionalism 9 when their theory does not find expression in their practice, c•on be explained in a mumber of ways. 1 . Their proclaimed aggreement with the ."positivett view is a convenience which allows them the privileges afforded to professionals by virtue of, their supposed "positive" aspects, William Goode has described the process of professionaliéation as a series •of bargains struck between an occupation and society; in return for increased social status, the occupation imposes restraints on the behaviour of its members in the public interest. (18) For instance, one of the advantages of being termed "professional" is, as I said th .earlier, the degree of autonomy that implies. Peter Shepheard has touched on this when he talks of architects building "for the admiration o? other archi tectset . And there are advantages in terms of status and power to architects setting themselves up as arbiters of taste. 20 Another explanation might be that architects might well be motivated by the"positive view of professionalism, but find barriers in the way of their bringing that view to bear on their practice. 4. BARRIERS TO "POSITIVE" PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE It would be a sterile exercise to attempt a guess as to what proportion of architects fall into each group It seems more constructive to assume that there are some architects who fall into the second category, and to look at some of the "barriers" they might encounter in attempting to put their theories into practice. The first barrier is the simple need to make a living. "I now question whether a big practice can over •remain truly professional. big fish needs lots to feed on, and I know how desperate a matter it can become to cover overheads and maintain prestige work teams" 0 (19) second barrier is the imposi tion of statutory constraintso Malcolm MacEwen has said "In the public sector, governments have deliberately depressed standards — of accommodation, services, facilities, landscape, and design through ruthless use of the armoury of controls at their disposal 0 The architect's job can be reduced to, a dehumanising exercise in cutting costs and already low standards". (20) A third barrier is the profit motive. MacEwen again: "the biggest and most important jobs in development work rarely go• •to the "best" architects. They go to those who can satisfy the criteria . of the public or private developers, who, need a professional service, but may not require a sense of responsibility to those who live in or use the buildings, or a high level of design skill, or the determination to achieve a reasonable standard of quality for all the users. Architects who practice in the private sector confirm that the aim of the developer is the maximum exploitation of the site but this has important implications for the choice of archi tecto (21) Quote from Owen Ludor: n In comercial development, the most successful architects are those who understand property values and the mechanics of property development, as well as a clear appreciation of building costs. ffhough the archi tect's ability to produce "good architecture" had been relatively unimportant in the past, this had changed because good design and environment (my emphasis) help to sell the scheme" (22) Barrier 4 can be called the bureaucratisation of the profession. The Bains report on management in local authorities spelt it out — once the architect has reached "middle management, he/she must abandon architecture if he/she wants promotion. (23) Gordon Wigglesworth, chief housing architect of the GLC, 1973: "It offers no encouragement to the man or woman whose talent lies in architecture, and it ensures that design is always entrusted to the least experienced, and that leadership passes into the hands of those who, from necessity or choice, have ceased to be practicing architects" 0 (24) Barrier 5 can be found in the contradictions presented to the profession by virtue of the growth in the number of salaried architects. Louis Hellman has described the "bitter resentment of the bureaucratic and hierarchical structure of the large offices" where salaried architects are O'reduced to the status of non—persons by such practices as being required to sign letters in the names of their chief officers, or by the crediting of designs on notice boards and press releases to the department or chief officer" 0 (25) 5 PROFESSIONALISM AS IDEOLOGY But underlying all these "barriers'% the root cause of the lack of correlation between theory and practice, is the relationship between architect and client the patronage system. Quotes from the RIBAJ: "To a frightening extent, the clients are certainly the masters, and I have yet to meet the architect who will gainsay a client". (26) "My employer, , the partner in charge, has a continuous battle with the representatives of corporate clients, who are generally motivated by expediency: we are always being pressed to work for short term. results or for easier administration" (27) But I don't want to talk, at length about the question "Who SHOULD be the patrons of architecture?" I feel that is an utopian question phrased in terms uhich suggest that the possibility for changing the system of patronage is at hand. Since the possibility for patronising architects depends on the possibility of gaining access to finance for the subsequent building operations, I would suggest that any substentit.re change in the system of patronage is not possible under capitalism. But that long story. To get back to the current plot; I want to talk about patronage in this paper because iC is a FACT of the present practice of architecture. So far my discussion of "professionalism" has remained within the realms of theoryø I have only discussed 'Vprofessionaligrncv as an ideology. To quote from Marx: "In the social production of their existence, men inevitably enter into definite relations, which are independent of their will, namely relations of production appropri ate to a given stage in the development -of their material forces of production. The totality of these relations of productoon constitutes the economic structure of society the real foundation, on which arises a legal and political superstructure and to which correspond definite forms of social consciousness.' The mode of production of material life conditions the general process of social, political, and intellectual life. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but their social existence that determines their consciousness". (28) The discussion of "professionalism" as ideology corresponds to architects' "consciousnes I want now to begin to look at architects v n social exi stence" 6. ARCHITECTURE RE-LOCATED The most useful definition of professionalism I have come acress in this context is that elaborated by Terence Johnson in his book "Professions and Power" (29) This paper leans very heavily on Johnson t s book (most of the quotes in section 2 are used by him)' I have merely attempted to apply Johnson q s theories about professions generally to the architectural profession specifically, I will not attempt to justify the legitimacy of basing my arguments $0 completely on Johnson' work.. I would suggest reading the book and deciding for yourselves the legitimacy of such a move. Johnson defines professionalism as a TYPE OF OCCUPATIONAL CONTROL, the function of which is to resolve tensions in the producer/consumer relationship. He elaborates as follows: "Dependence upon the skills of others has the effect of reducing the common area Of shared experience and knowledge, and increases social distance 0 social distance creates a structure of uncertainty in the relationship between producer and consumer, so creating a tension. in the relationship which must be fres01ved9V He defines three broad resolutions of this tension which are historically identifi able o 1. in which the producer defines the needg of the consumer and the manner in which those needs are catered fore He refers to this as COLLEGIATE control, and identifies two sub-types - PROFESSIONALISM, and GUILD CONTROL. 2 in which the consumer defines his own needs and the manner in which they are to be meto Three forms Qf this type of control are identified OLIGARCHIC PATRONAGE, CORPORATE PATRONAGE, and COT.NUNAL control. 3. in which a third party mediates in the relationship between producer and consumer, defining both the needs and the manner in which the needs are met. This type of control he refers to ' as MEDIATIVE, and under this heading he includes CAPITALISM and STATE MEDIATION. I would suggest that architecture has, moved out of the category of "professionalism". Potential for "professiOna1ismf' in architecture existed at the time when building trades were relatively homogenous. Building craftsmen, architects, and speculative builders between them exercised complete control over building operations, and there was certainly potential for them to define both the needs of the consumer and the manner in which these needs would be meto When architects separated themselves off from the other building trades, their potential for control, and therefore for "professionalisingV was lost. It is ironic that in striving to attain "professional" status, they eliminated the possibility of ever doing soo Architectural Uprofessional n ideology has taken on a life of its own. It exists without basis in the present "social existencd" of architects. Architecture has moved out of johnson's category of "professionalism" and ' into the category of up atronage'% alongside rennaissancé artists and craftsmen, or, more currently, the prostitute. In fact, the prostitute is on firmer ground than the architect, since demand for her services remains unaltered with fluctuations in the economy 6 I would argue that architects as; Johnson's "producers" no longer' if they ever did, define the needs of their consu;ners and the manner in which those needs are meto I would argue that today? s "consumers" of architecture define their own needs, and 7, to a very large extent, the manner in which these needs are met 9 for the reason that architectural '"consumers" (unlike, for example, "consujnerscv of medicine) are a small, powerful group o? individuals or corporate bodies with (necessarily for the n consumption" of building works) substantial financial backingo 7. RE-LOCATION OF ARCHITECTURE ILLUSTRATED To illustrate my contention that architects are more correctly defined as operating in the "patronage" category, I will outline Johnson's own charac— terisation of patronage as a form of occup ational control (chapter 5 of his book), and attempt to illustrate this in an architectural context where appropri ate 0 10 ti Pu11y developed institutiong of patronage arise where consumers have the capacity to define their own needs ax'. the manner in which their needs are catered for. In such cases the -inembers of occupations applying esoteric knowledge are themselves the "clients" having neither exclusive nor final resp . tnsibility for their services; ultimate authority in the assessment of process and product lies with the patron or patrons. This arises where the dominant effective demand for occupational services comes from a small, powerful, unitary clientele. This can occur where an aristocratic elite, sharing, cormon interests, monopolises services. Similarly, a patronage system can develop where a few large—scale corporations are the major consumers of "expert" services. Compare this with the way johnson talks about "professionalism" "only where there exists an effective demand for the occupational skills from a large and relatively heterogeneous consumer group can the institution of professionalism fully emerge 0 Consumers will normally have diverse interests; they are unorganisedt dependent, and exploitable" There appears to be no "effective 0 0 • o o demand" for skills from such large sections of the community, primarily, I would argue, since their demand cannot be effective without access to finance. 2. "Under patronage, recruitment is based on sponsorship 0 criteria for sponsorship are shared values md statuses; that is to say, the • "professional" shares the values and to some extent the status of the patron. Technical competence is not the sole or even a major criterion of evaluatione Rather, the practitioner is expected to be socially acceptable" 0' TLS Eric Fromm put it; "Personal identity takes on an exchange value as all are dependent their material seccess on a personal acceptance by those who need services and employ them". (30) MacEwen has said: "the most t successful r postwar practitioners were those who had no social or political conscience". (31) Louis Hellman tells the following story: "There' $ this I worked with — he wore. jeans, had long hair, in days when it was unheard of. What he didNas get rid of his drawing boarde All of us nerks lined up with our drawing boards, and he got rid of his and got a tablea I said, why do you want a table? He said, you come into a room, look at the drawing boards, where do you go to? You go to the bloke with the desk. TWO yea?s later. he's made a partner." 30 In traditional systemg of patronage, entrance to "accepted" and exclusive occupational organisations is severely limited, while a developed corporate system results in the hegemony within the occupational association of practitioners working for the more powerful corporations, whether as employees or consultants" 4. "Professional" practice, (under the patronage system) is not a continuous and terminal shared byo all. Rather, in oligarchic forms the practitioner seeks "preferment" which in the most successful cases loads tot "landed leisure", while the corporate practitooner can look forward to "plum jobs" on boards of directors. 5. 'professional': firm (under the patronage system) moves up the prestige hierarchy according to the size and influence of its patrons. The more big ac• ounts it attracts, the higher its prestige". "The homogeneous community which is characteristic of "professionalism" is deplaced by hierarchical forms of occupational practice and organisation. The architect and phsician under oligarchic patronage share to a limited extent the social position of their patrons. They rise in an occupational hierarchy throügh their association with more and more powerful patrons. Their prestige is social rather than narrowly and technically defined". I would argue that this is true of architecture — compare the status of Lasdun as architect, National Theatre as patron. 60 "The hierarchical fragmentation of. the occupation may even be systematically expressed and institutionalised as dual systems cf practice within a single occupation• The hierarchy associated with corporate patronage may also be rationalised by the creation of subordinate technical grades of practitioner, allowing for greater specialisation and the sloughing off of routine tasks by the occupation's leaders" 0 7. "Patronage systems are characterised by practising contexts in which the practitioner must know and. do what is expected of himo Under those conditions, knowledge tends to be local and basic research associated with the application of knowledge limited. The pursuit Of basic knowledge is stressed less than knowledge specifically related to the needs of the patrone A major criterion of theory vill be its applicability to patron needs" e Try substituting "architecture" for "accountancy" in the following quote: "The evolution of accountancy techniques has been severely practical. Individual accountants in the course of their duty, frequently come across problems peculiar to their particular branch of endean-m and apply their basic training to solve special problems. It is rarely that any one particular system or the variation of a system is adoptee-I by various firms facing the same problem, as each oncl every progenitor of a new method or technique in accounting prefers to utilise his own particular brainchild". (32) Johnson says: "This tendency is not a product of the accountsnt's peculiar individualism as a personality, but stems from an orientation to local problems deriving from a system of control of the occupation which is fundamentally patron—based" • 80 n Loca1ism also introduces an ethic of limited responsibility, contrasting with that of zrofessionalism — a situation in which the "professional" does not look beyond the consequences of his actions for the patron" Peter Malpass, in an RIBAJ article, has said that "there remains architects who would happily replace Durham cathedral with a multi—storey car park if the client wanted this and was prepared to clear the site" 0 (35) 90 "Such practitioners tend to be apolitical, where the expressions of political views or political action may embarrass the patron" 0 One of the Cardiff NAM group y who works for the local authority, has received a warning from his bosses about letters the group have published in the local press regarding the redevelopment of the central area of Cardiff. There must be many more similar cases. 10. "Theoretical knowledge is less important than knowledge which is applicable to the current practical needs of the patron. Practitioners are more likely to stress monist explanations which can be simply and immediately applied in policy o? therapy'% Johnson himself gives the following example: System design which allows for variations in structure within certain limits laid down by the basic system is related to the specific needs of a single corporate patron with large scale construction needs. The one—off t design related to the specific needs of a single 'client' is declining in importance as part of the architect's work" 80 CONCLUSION It is beginning to be understood that salaried architects are subj ect to a contradi ctiono Whilst architects are educated as if. they would all one day become principals in private practice, less than 20% of architects are currently in that position. "For the rest, it remains an ideal desire — the possible fulfillment of which is an enducement to work in a manner at logger—heads with it 0 The working class work socially in production for the private property of a few in the h2pe of individual private property for themselves" 0 (34) But it is not only salaried architects who are subj ect to contradiction. I would suggest that the concept of architecture as a "profession" holds only in the ideology perpetuated by the R IBA, the so—called •professional" body. I would argue, as I have said previously, that architecture is more correctly defined as operating within Johnson's characterisation Of "patronage" 0 "Ideology which looks backwards for its rationale is, nevertheless, crucial for the present: without it, people might hanker back to the past as a "golden age" ;once utopianism of any sort occurs 9 after looking backwards, it is liable to look forwards and thus endmger the status quoo The family (in this case, but try substituting "RIBA") thus embodies the most conservative concepts available; it rigidifies the past ideals and presents them as the present pleasures. By its very nature, it is there to prevent the future" (35) If we attempt to rid ourselves of this inappropriate "architect as professional" ideology, it would be interesting to monitor RIBA reaction. "The ruling class interests that pose, in the first place, as universal interests, increasingly decline into "mere idealising phrases, conscious illusions, and deliberate deceits. But the more they are condemned as falsehoods, and the less they satisfy. the understanding, the more dogmatically they are asserted and the more deceitful, moral ising and spiritual becomes the language of established society" — Karl Marx, The German Ideology. (36) 9. REFERENCES William S Bennett Jr., and Merl C Hockenstad Jr. , "Full time people workers a-Id conceptions of the professional", Sociological Review Monograph "årchitects at work" series, RIBAJ, Jan—Dec, 1972 20 30 ibid ibid ibid Durkheim, Professional Ethics and Civic Morals, 1957 70 R H Tawneyp The Acquisitive Society, 1921 8. quoted in T J Johnson, Professions and Power, Macmillan 1972 9 ibid 10. P Halmos, The Personal Scrv.ice Society, 1970 110 A M Carr—Saunders and P A Wilson, 'Ihe Professions, 1933 M Weber, Theory of Social and Economic Organisation, 1964 C Wright Mills, White Collar, 1956 M Young 9 The Rise of the Meritocracy, 358 P Shepheard, introduction to M MacEwen, Crisis in Architecture, RIBA 1974 160 M MacEwen, op cit 17. A Lipman, "Architectural education and the social commitment of contem— porary British architectsf% SociologicalReview, March 1970 18 • W Goode, "The theoretical limits of professionalisation", in Etzioni, ffhe Semi Professions and their Organisation, Free Press, New York, 1969 "Architects at work" series, op cit M MacEvenp op cit ibid O Ludor, quoted in MacEwen, op cit 23. Bains Report, HMSO, 1972 G Wigglesworth, quoted in AJ, February 21st 1973 L Hellman, "Democracy for architects", RIBAj, Aug 1973 "Architects at work" series, op cit 27 ibid K Marx, preface to Critique of Political Ecomony 1859 T J Johnson, op cit 13 Prom, The sane Society, 1956 M MacEwen, op cit 32a Stacey, Egnlish Accountancy, 1954 P Malpass, RIBAJ, June, 1975 Juliett Mitchell, Woman t s Estate, Penguin, 1971 35 ibid 36. K Marx, ffhe German Ideology, 1845/6 � Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource A Delaney Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived JA Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Nov-76 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/4f44d6c8f639a5b5732aed0039f61420.pdf 2bd92f381891de8ed2e572aa5f30313f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alternative Practice Description An account of the resource This investigated other forms of organisation of architects' offices based around the concept of cooperative working and shared equity. Several members went on to establish their own practices adopting such models. A pre-eminent example was Support Community Building Design, which emerged from a small group of graduates from the Architectural Association which went on to create a cooperative practice focused on potential client groups in society which traditionally were not the beneficiaries of the architectural profession which, we would have said, was essentially the handmaiden of capital. These groups eventually included local authority tenants, women's groups including refuges, ‘black’ i.e. racially self-defined groups. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Progress Report Subject The topic of the resource Report prepared for the 2nd NAM Congress, Blackpool 11pp Description An account of the resource NAM � PRrvnTC WORKING CROUP The Net,' Architecture movement, North London Group November 1076 PROGRESS REPORT Prepared for the New Architecture movement Conference, 81 ackpool , November 26-28, 1976. 9 ADDENOUtm: Draft Propo'el for a more Representative, Lay—Control I ed ARCUK 10 Part One OUR POINT Research, analY9i9, debate and nctfnn towards moro democratic, effective end prcountahle oractire of architpcturp hag hardly hpqun. It i q our feel inn it 'dill not occur outside the context of gneci f f c campafnnq that en he lat'nrhod hy in the very near future. Such cemneinng nenerAte nuhlfcity and create the atmosnhere of credibility and action that attract to us the hum*n and material resources needed to carry out the task and will remove it from tho realm of idle groculation. We in the "Private Practice working Croup" have begun to enpronch our subject from that stand— noint. The privpte sector account9 for over half of the rrof999ion, and uri9hino won't make it on moreover, itå influence ig even greater than f ts "numerical 'trenotht' miQht sugpegt. Private practice hrs, by and large, orovided the model -——excess hierarchy and bureaucracy, elitism, over—central— i sat ion, nrofit-oriented accountino, lack of accountability, etc. ———for nuh— lic nrortire. Its influence on the structure of the orofeggion---its ethos, code- 2nd regulation-, control of nrofesgional even more nrofound, 99 is its influence unon architectural education. We are hopeful, therefore, that our analysis and proposals may be, at least in broad outline, relevant as well to the public practice of architecture. 'L'e do not believe, then, that the solution to the problems of orivate prac— t ice, from the point of viet,f either of the frustrated, exoloited and alien— *ted workers Within it or of the communities that suffer from its products, i 9 ten! ace it nublic practice we now know it. Vhile progressive chenoe in nublic practice may he both necessary end nosgible, we don't gee why chanoeg in private practice cannot go on concurrently. we believe that the shortest and suregt route from private practice as it now ig to a oract ice of •rchitecture Which is democratically—structured and directly account— able to the communitv i 9 the direct one. t.'e ere by now all familiar with the "crisis in architecture" end how it effects both the ','orkere in the orofe99ion and the communities who must use its nroducts. Without ignoring the underlying nolitical and economic frame— work of Which architecture is merely a minor part, we believe that the ta'av -echitecttJte is not,' rrpctised is prime cause of the trouble. for the •rchitecturel worker, private practice today means: lack of joh 90curitv end declininq real income; soeed-un and cuttinn of cornerr; excesqive hierarchy end bureaucracv; arbitrary and excessive division of labour; aliena- t ion of the nrchitoct at the drawino board from t" client, the uner and the product; count-or-productive competition betw on workers nnd division into etatug groups; excessive pay differentiale; undemocretic dociefon-makino structures; manaoement secrecy; etc. From tho noint of view of the community, the lack of accountehility 19 the key problem. Thi' 19 not unrelated to the effect9 of the profit orientation of nrivate practice: a lack of concern for the community which heg reached ncnndaloug proportione in cages like Centropoint, Summerland, end Poulson: end the generally poor quality of work regultinq from an inability effectively to mobilige the abilitieg end committment of architectural workers, an ineffective structure of responsibility, and the alienation of tho architectural worker from the product end the ugor. Part Two or ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE N.D. m. solution to the "cri9i9 in architecture" should be b*99d on the twin cornerstone's of workers' control (or "self-menanqment t') of architec tural practice end evqtem of direct eccountabflity to the local community which uses what i 9 produced. While we ought to make very clear our goals and criteria for developing a new model of architectural practice, thig model should not be too "utopian" or completely dooendent upon a prior totransformation of the political, economic and social structure of soci ety. We must, however, make clear What changes are needed in the existing context in Which architecture is practiced in order for any siqnificant prooress to be mede. We believe these changes include: 1. effective traHe union orqanigetion of architectural and allied workerq, 7. noeitive 9teoq towards restructurino of the entire industrv into 9 decentralisgH public degion (and eventually construction) service, and 3. orogresg towards fully-public control over the allocation of resources and investment. The criteria for develooino a new model of architectural practice follow from our analysis of the present problem. While these remain to he developed in detail, we can at least say that oractice ought to be democratic rather then puthoritaripn, itarian rather than elitist, decentrali99H rather than hier?rchicel , connerative rather comoefitive, efficient rather than I,tastpful, uqe-oriented rather than orofit-orientod, productive rather than bureucratic, sharino of various tasks reolacinp esceesively narrow d' vision lahour, etc. 'dork inc from such criteria, a credible model ran he develooed. '"e 999Ume it would call for basically small (but interdeoendent), locally—based gena non-profit basis. This need not rule or moro specialiged practiceq, perhapg non—imperialiqt export, Btr. '"e believe n model , the fol lowinn nreag urnent)y need 99,19tgm engurinn prcountahflftv to the user communftv, and method of oatronane (allocation of commissions) and definition of "congti tuency, size decision-makinq structure S. "manpower" allocation and enterinr end leavinp of staff, in relation both to functioninq of practice and individual career structure, 6. approach to the *i location of managerial, techriC91, clerical and menial tasks, 7 "scone" of the practice, includino it9 relation to related disciolines and to the construction 9ide of the industry, "inteqrity" of tho practice: its relation to other practices, degree and tyneg of specialisation. ond trance, relations nancing, legal structure, educational role, and IS. research role. "'e are convinced that a thorough study of the above-mentioned aspects, as well as a detailed evaluation of the isolated attempts Which have been made to set up "model" nractices, u'ill make very clear the need for general public design (and maybe construction) service as 9 context outside of which significant and extensive reform of orivate practice alono the 1 ineq we pro— oose be inconceivable. We are not yet in a position to oropoge What such a public design service (as a framework for small, locally-based col— lective rrpcticeg) WOU1d be. rts relation to (l)construction, planning end development control, (3) building control, (a) orofessional education, (S) research and development, (f) settino of "standards," (7) liability and insurance, (8) trade union organisation, and (9) nrofessional institutions •11 need to be carefully congidered. need to eddreqs as well thn cuegtionq of decent r?) i sat ion, control, r•eqources el location, h'ork location, end t s e relation in hoth the short and Iono term of guch a ouhlic ervice the orivate sector (i.e. , both nrivate oracticeq 2nd nrivate client'). thorouoh critical evaluation of National Health Service exrerience over the 1 Ast thirty years would be useful ouide In develooinq our nroposels. 0 Sit of research into the various architectural (and construction) sarvf cog are provided in some socialist countring %'0U1d orobably 9180 provtdo some "90fu1 19990n9. The next 9teo uyould be to outline 0099ib1e roads towards reali9inq tho new model .of architectural practice. We would obviously have to consider not only private practice 99 tho 9tartinq point but local authority and other oublic orectice 99 well. 'de should he oriented towardg both 9hort-term and lonq-term strateoieg. Any campeiong N. A.m. mipht launch or guooort renardfnn unioni92tion, the use of public patronage, ARCUK and then code of conduct" should take such 9trateqy into account. Some people in N. A.m. have urged that providing guidelines for architects wighino to convert a private practice into a gel f-managed "co-op" (or estab ligh a new practice along those lines) within the present totally capital int context should be orioritv of the "private practice workino oroup." While we don't u'Rnt to di9couraqe such pioneerinp efforts from beino made and ree thet there ig much to be gained by 9tudyino, evaluating and publici9ing their exoerience, we do feel that the main road to worker—controlled, account— able oracticeg lieg not through these "one-off" efforts but through the de velormpnt of ta'orkere' power (thus, unionisation), 9 public design service as a fr9mework, and far—reaching political changes. Dart Three ACTION camPAIGNS WHICH N.A.m. couto LAUNCH There ere three camnaions which we believe N. A.m. should launch as soon nossihle for concrete action in support of these proposals: trade union orqanisation of all architectural and allied workers, especi— 311 y in the almost totally unorqanised private sector, reform of the Architects Registration Acts (and ARCUK) in several key ways, end an attack uoon oublic patronaoe of practices which do not meet our critria. 0t the game time we should continue research, education end publ icity work on the subject of architectural oractice. As part of this, 99 well as in suoport of the three above-mentioned campaigns, we ask for your assistance in oromotino the "Interior Perspective" project Which is being launched at this conference. '-de believe also thet as part of its campaiqn for pccountabilitv, N. n. m. should try to develoo in collaboration with community action groups, tenants associations, trades councils, etc. joint campaion for tenant-control of housinm The housing aqsociation front may be particularly amenable to pro— �89 thi9 has been on area of frequent legislative concern and thn precpdent of tnnant-controllod housinq aggociationg already exists. 09 thig cnmpaiqn would depl nrimarily ta'ith the broader problem of accountability, the "private practice working group" hag not taken it on but hag concentrated its efforts on proposals for it9 three main campaigns. It should be noted, however, that housinq association, When doing its own architectural work "in house," provides an exist inq non-profit leoal form of orcani9ation which can be taken 99 en alternative to partngrships, companies, and local authorities. That scope for progrogs oxiot9 here hae been demonstrated by the Solon Housing Association, a comparatively democratic architectural or*ctice now being combined with tenant-controlled management. A campaign could at some point be launched to expand this little crack in the capitnl19t structure of the private sector, through publicity, lobbyinq for reform of housino association legislation and oregsure on thn government to channel it9 financial guroort, essential to housinp eggociations, into tenant-run hougino 9990ciation9 emnloyinq worker-controlled in-hougo or consultant architectural practices. In any event, ell democratically—organised, popularbased client qrouos are much more likely to patronise worker-run practices then ere authoritarian "establishment" clients and are, thug, deserving of our support and encouragement. 1. Ornanisation of Architectural and Allied Workers The "Private Prectire Workinrp Groun" is convinced that the democrati9Ation of prartice, as well thn development of accountability to users, can only occur through the act inns of architectural workers, who make uo nearly 904 of the "profession. Real control will never, to any significant extent, be handed over voluntarily by the hogseg. 'dorkerg' control requires workers' power, and Dower comes through solidaritv. Solidarity requires organigation. In our context, that can only mean trade unionism. Pt the oregent time, the 20,000 architectural workerq in the private sector ere almost comoletely unorganised. "Je get the highest priority, therefore, on the oreanisetion o' unorpanised architecture) ',torkers into qtrnnn, democr•tic 3nd hroed-mindod t rede union and the initiation thrownh that medium of milit9nt "shoo-floor" nnd "industry level" action for t,torkerg t control. This may nrovp to be a necessary orereouisite to effectively pur— suing the other two campeigns we ere oroposinr,. The subject of organisation has been dealt with in the Unionisation Working Croup's draft reoort orepared for this conference. 2. Reform of the Architects Reqi9tration Acts While there 19 a tendency to goe the Architects Reqi8tration Actg ag reac— tionary elitist and protectionist legislation, or at best meroly irrelevant, is our opinion that It 19 a fertile field for immediate N. A.m. action. The Architects Registration Acts established, however ineffectively, the principle of popular, lay control over the entire profession (even if it is by way of a pretty imperfect parliamentary system). Thi B principle could be exploited now in the context of great public disillusionment with the performance of the profession, following Centrepoint, Summerland, Poulgon and general dissatisfaction with the environment created (or destroyed) in the last 25 years. A campaign to reform the Architects Registration Acts, which form an interface between the public and the profession, will provide 09 99 well with an opportunity to spread our megsaoe and build solid base beyond the confines of the orofB9Bion itgelf and will coincide with effortq beinr; made for 1 ay control and accountability in other professions. The nrchitpctg Reti9tration Actg of 1931 and 193B restrict the use of the title, "architect," to those whose name rppears on the Register of Architerfs mefnfained hy the nrchitectg Reoiqtration Council of the United Kingdom (n o.C'-'V) %'hich established by the act. Entry to the Register ig now solely by academic exemination under the control of PRCUK'9 Education and Admissions committees. The Acts, unfortunately, rather than creatinn a "consumers' wetch— dog," put control of AECUK and of enforcement of tho Acts in the hands of erchitectural manaqemm t. Since its inceotion, ARCUK has by 2nd laroe deleoated ell its resnonsibilitåes for architectural education to the R IBP. The Architects Reoi9tration Acts thus established by statute a form of "man— power plannino" for the profession. In practice this has meant a loqally— sanctioned division of architectural workers into two classes, increasingly denyinn entry into the "orofesgion oroper" to peoole of workinn-clasg background or Who mipht otherwise tend to upset architectural management's neat little applecart. The increasing insistence on four or five yearg of full—time academic architectural education aims also to remove from the architectural employer his responsibility for on-the-job training and continuing education and to delay the architect's entry into the profession and into oroductive and remunerative work. Perhaos by that time the younn architect's awareness and expectations may be trimmed down to sixe and obl ined to take into account a family and a mortoape. The effects of this approach to the traininr of architects are, alas, for ell to see. ORCUK has also promulgated a Code of Conduct, which, in theory, must be fol- 1 owed by architects in order to remain on the Reoister. This code i 9 identical to thet of the employers' organigation and makes mandatory the use of the R IBP Conditionq of tnoeqement. The only parts of the Code, other AfiCUK regul t ions and provisions of the Architects Registration Acto which seem to be enforced urith any degree of seriousness at all are those Which aim to pro— tect the privileged position of architectural employers and keen competition among them operating in the interests of architectural employers ag a group. The Code does, however, clearly establish the principle of control "in the public interest" by ARCtJK over: I. what forms of practice are permitted among architects, 2. how architects may oet work, 3. hot.' erchitect9 may relate to one another and to their other employees, in business and orofeosional terms, and the architect' 9 resoons bility to "those Who may be expected to use or enjoy the product of his work" (which may be taken to mean both thoge who build buildinos and those who inhabit buildings). We believe that the main reason that ARCtJK has not exercised effective control over the profession in the nuhlic interest lieg in its control by ar— chitectural management. Of the 66 members of ARCUK, 56 (or 85<) are P. IBA members. There ere four non-RIBA architects and six "laymen" (04). Who are the six Four are nominees of the Councils of chartered institutions in related building orofessions and the remaining two represent employers in the building industry. Of the 60 architect members of ARCUK we have been able to identify the occunational status of 57 of them. (The other three ere, in any event, 911 R IBA members.) Of these 57, no less than 31 are partners in private oractice end two more are chief architecte in Biq Business. Thus, 58 4 ere 509999 in the private sector. Eight are chief architect9 or deputy chief architects in the public sector and three are professors or heads of schools of architecture. Thug, 44 of the 57 (or 77'.) are architectural menegement, ell RI BD.. Of the galaried architects, eight are in the public sector and only four in private practice. Some of those are presumably of "associate" status. So architectural workers, 'Jho make up at leagt of registered architects, have *round of the architects' representation on ARCUK. Yet oartners in nrivate nractice, who amount to about 15"' of registered archi— tects, have of the architectural representation on ARCL'K. We oropose that tho Prchitectural Reqistration Acts he amended to establish lay control over the profession, which will make a beoinninq towards account— ability. gy "lay control" we mean a lay majoritv on ARCUK, and a lay majority rerresentative of the general public es a whole, the real "consumers" of archi— tecture. The minority of architect members must also be more renresentative Of the nrofesqion. To encourqqe this, we nropose •n end to the nomination of architectural reoresentativeg hy the PI gn Council and similar bodi99, substituting direct elections within eech of the different interest orouD9 in the profeseion, with each group's representation baged on ite numerical 9trenoth In the profession. Pregumably, the orouoo would he, employers of, three or more peoole, other self-employed architecto, salaried architectural management, and all other 981aried or unemployed architectq: the architectural workers. We have already developed one 0099ih1e proposal for a more reoregentative and lay—controlled A9Ct!K. This nonearg in detail in the nppendix. In addition to rgform of PP.CIJK, we feel that N. n. m . should develop a reason*blv credible pronogal for chanqinn the restriction on the toge of the title, "erchitect," to rtJ1p out its use by architectural businessmen and bureau— crafs t,'ho have long 9ince ceased to desion buildinnq, prenare plans, and gunervi99 construction, as the word architect 19 commonly understood. They ghould oerhan9 be allowed to use titles like "ex-architect" or "erchitecturel executive." While such a proposal is unlikely to pet far enough to obl ine us to support the principle of protection of the title of architect, it might be useful for educational, organi9inp and oublicity ournogeq. r'Tther wo-k involvod Ir. d.n veloning a campafqn to reform the Architects Registration Acts would entail proposing a new, more explicit statement of purpose of the Acts and of ARCIJK'g brief, in line with N.A.". '9 goals of B democraticelly—organiged "profesgion, t' directly accountable to the community. We could outline a more epproprlete Code of Conduct or suggest a better way of ensuring accountability, democrecy, and competence. We would el so need to make proposals regarding ARCUK's control over architecturel education, ending its delegation to the RIBA and regarding entry into and removal from the Register. Ultimately, a realistic and equitable means of financing and structuring ARCUK as an effective working organisatlon In the public Interest would also need to be worked out. If N. A.m. Is to go further on the subject of the Architects Registration Acts, it Should be it can develop, mount end etJ9t9±n an effective campaion. If are not 9trong enough, the employers' oroanisetlone Will take the ornortunfty to ough throtJ0h harmless, phoney "reform." That, of course, may well haooen even tJIthotJt our Initiative. We are in a bit of a vicious circle, 29 well, since, we believe, only through such campaigns will N.A. m. be able to build up its strength. 3. Positive use of Public Patronaqe N. A.m. should immediately begin to develop criteria of industrial democracy, fair employment practices, and accountability, and system of applying these crftnrfn In the dl'penolnq of public patronage of architecture, as over of all architectural work 19, apparently, funded by the state. 'Je ought to research exactly where and to what extent the government ultimately pays the architect" foos and begin to demand that this money not bp used to support practices which do not meet these criteria. we might begin with a campaign to avoid supporting the most reactionary practices. In any case, a suitable strategy remaing to be developed. 'Je have as yet done little urork In th19 area but believe it could prove quite fruitful. It certainly COU1d begin to divert the "patronage debate" from the lese produc— tive arena of a simple conflict between the public and private sectors, where it ultimately workg mainly to the bosses' interests. 991 E r BIBL Ken Coates and Tony Tonham, The New Unioni'm: The Cage for Workers' Control, Penguin Books paperback, 1974. ESSENTIAL READING. Louis Hellman, "Democracy in Architecture," RIBA Journal, August 1973, PP 395-403. malcolm macEwen, ttWhat Can Be Done About The Architect Journal, 19 November 1975, op 1063-1084. Adam Purser, A Short History of the Architectural Profession, 1976. APPENDIX Draft Proposal for a more Representmtive. Lav-Controlled ARCUK Assuming 60 members of ARCUK, should ropregent the "profession" and the "lay" public. Of the 27 architectural representatives, 2 should be chosen by students of architecture and 3 elected by architectural technicians and assistants. The remaining 24 should be elected by registered architects. Each of the four groups of architects llsted below WOU1d be epportloned seats on ARCtJK in direct relation to its share of the total number of architects. Each group would then directly elect the required number of representatives from among its own number. The four groups are, architects who employ three or more people, other self-employed architects, salaried architectural management: chief architect9 and their deputies in public practice and private Industry and architects with positions of a comparable level in architectural research, education, etc., architectural workers: all other salaried or unemployed architoct9. The "lay" contingent would be open only to anyone not eligible to be elected to the "architectural" group. Of these 33, 14 9hOU1d be trade unionists nominated by the T.U.C. No more than half of the 14 should be union officials. At least of the 16, likewise split into officials end "lay" trade unionists, should be from the construction industry. The other 19 lay members, for 1 ack of a better system, could be nominated by the Secretary of State for the Environment, as follows: 1 . Five of these should be elected politicians, including two m.p.'g and three local councillors. Of the three locals, one should be from the GLC or a London borough, one from another urban county, end one from a rural county. Atleest one of these three should be from Scotland and another from Wales, unless ARCtJK to be devolved into ARCE, ARCS, and ARC'J. Two ghould be chosen from tenants' associations. Two should be chosen from gel f-managed houglng associations. Two should be chosen from voluntary associations. 5. Two Should be chosen from industrial and trade (employers) associatione. 5. Two Should be chosen from emong building control officers, district gur— veyors and public health officers. 7. Four should be chosen from other professions (e.g., engineering, law, medicine, planning and surveying), giving preference to those profession• not already represented. These 19 should be nominated after the other 41 have been selected end according to the f01) owino conditions. The 19 nominations must be used to redrege the balance in the total council of 60 to ensure, as as possible, that the followino groupg are not undor-ropreoonted on the Council In proportion to their percentage of the population of Britain: 1. womon, (non-management) employees, end people under the age of 45. Although all this may seem complicated, the principles are simple: lay control of the profession and e Council ag democratically-repregentative possible of the various interest groups within the profession end within society as a whole. ARCUK t 9 education and admissions committees ehould be constituted arrordfrq to agoug rr t,ncirlns. �4th N. A.M. Annual Congress 1978 Cheltenham 'Alternative Practice' Some Notes to Guide Discussion There has been no specific interest group in NAM concerned with alternative practice or 'community architecture' though there is a great deal of overlap vith the PDS group . ibvever there have been a number of developments which make it important for NAM members to clarify their position on these topics . These are The growth of groups such as Support , ARCAID , the Foinist Design and Build Group and so on . The attempts of the RIBA to get Government assistance and credibility for their ideas of 'coamunity architecture' The growing interest in co—operative models of employment in the private sector Firstly there seems little doubt that iB is feasible for a group like Support to be set up and find fee earning vork vith tenants , cotnunity; trade union and radical groups . The details of hov thig happens and the associated problems can be discussed . There are contradictions in vorking in the private sector and a debate vith the PDS group which may emerge at this congress but the demand for such a service from groups who vould shun conventional RIBA Architects must be acknowledged . By dealing with real and immediate problems it would be possible to carry out research and propoganda which vould aid the long term proposals of PDS . Meanwhile the working class and labour movement can be more effective if it has good buildings to live in and vork from Secondly there are some who advocate co—operation between NAM and the RIBA to support the Cotnunity Architecture Ibrking Group proposals for a Cocnunity Aid Fund . They are asking Reg Fresson for E 2 million . If we are -to critiscize the RIBA these critscisms should be more articulate and videiy understood . There are 'progressives' involved vith CAWG who would make overtures to NAM but independent approaches to FReeson are more likely to be in our interest . Thirdly there vas a very succesful seminar oa October 20 attended by about 30 architecst and others which discussed co—operative forms of organisimg practices . Mary Rogers vill be able co give a report on the results of this meeting It is suggested that in the morning vorkshop ve discuss general and political issues and the points of conflict and co—operation be discussed with the PDS group in the plenary . At 6p.m. in the evening ve hope that a nt.-caber of NAM members from different groups vill give short presentations vith slides about vork they have been doing Tom Woolley � Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Private Practice Working Group Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived JA/JM Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Nov 1976 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/132f6f9cf3a78251cf5731d7b1c68701.pdf 0d2c242ba52b1cd2f2c423d94f31d4e8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Group Description An account of the resource Argued that it was only through the public sector that the majority of people could have access to the land and resources needed for housing, education and other essential services. The task was therefore to reform the practice of architecture in local councils to provide an accessible and accountable design service. The Public Design Group proposed reforms to the practice of architecture in local councils to provide a design service accessible and accountable to local people and service users. The following 6 Interim Proposals were developed which were later initiated and implemented in Haringey Council 1979-1985 by NAM members. <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Local area control over resources </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Design teams to be area based </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Area design teams to be multi-disciplinary </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Project architects to report directly to committee</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Abolish posts between Team Leader and Chief Architect </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Joint working groups with Direct Labour Organisations</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design - A New Role Subject The topic of the resource Towards a New Public Architecture', Essay by A Purser (9 pp) Description An account of the resource PUBEIt 2pES(oN New he DRAFT MAY 1978 PUBLIC DESIGN GROUP TOWARDS A NEW PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE Introduction This paper represents the conclusions reached by the PDG in its deliberations since its formation at the NAM Congress in Hull on 26th November 1977. The views expressed are either a unanimous or majority view of the :;roup as expressed by the author. The purpose of this essay is to tie together the main points of the other papers, add proposals and spirit and reach a workable path along which to move forward. The present political situation high-lights the difficulties of our task. The public's view of the value of its public servants is very low. Against such a background we must not only develop our beliefs and reasons for public design but we must get these views accepted at large, as it is only with community support that our ideals can be achieved. To gain grass roots support we will have to participate in the community: in tenants' groups, community projects, local politics, trade union branches, Trades Councils and other bodies based in the community. If we believe in the principle of public service, whether from a humanitarian, political or other viewpoint, we must convince the community that we really mean to improve the quality and content of our work together with its effects. The role of the professional in any alternative programme must include an understanding of the educational element. For too Long the myths and obstacles created by traditional professionalism have led to elitist viewpoints or at best paternalistic attitudes. These myths and barriers must be broken down. The interface of architect and public is a problem we need to study carefully, very carefully. ‘Desiring direct client contact may turn out to be unpleasant in actuality. Faced with a raging council tenant swearing about bloady council officials, are we going to blame the tenant for not understanding our problems, or are we going to sympathise with him for revealing the authority's failures ? Remember as part of the council we are going against the “espirit de corps" to criticise one another in public. We will need to take a patent attitude of explanation, listening, explanation, listening and go on explaining and listening. We will need to rebpond positively to hostile criticism, go beyond the surface problems and find ways of attacking the underlying difficulties. But this new interface will only prove mutually educational if the community is given the power to approve or reject design proposals. This shared learning experience will give the architect the new a satisfaction of helping the development of the people he works Or. For me this shared experience of mutual development gives great joy, far more than the creation of monumental edifices to my ecotism. In tackling the role of LAAD's we have seen some aspects of state intervention, the maintenance of the status quo by reproducing itself, as administrators of the gains fought for ‘by the working class and its allies over the centuries, as a bumbling body of mixed up bureaucrats and procedures. Some people fear that if community architecture is a development of existing LA's then state intervention will be its death knoll. Our arguments are based on a detailed understanding of state intervention. We see that within aspects which are genuinely in the interests of the public (i.e. the National Health Service etc.) and these we wish not only to maintain but to improve. On the other hand, we are aware that many aspects of state intervention are re;ressive and these we hope to weaken. Our main belief is in the democratic. improvements caused by decentralisation and will we hope, coupled with our other proposals, produce beneficial results. Intervention in decentralised teams will be caused by financial allocations and in meeting standards, etc. No local community can raise through its own means all the funds it needs to carry out all the diverse functions necessary. Only central government, with its manifold fiscal means, can raise the money and not get completely fooled by the national and multi-national companies. It is interesting to note that Britain has more firms exploying over 40,000 workers than the rest of Europe put together. For these reasons, we acknowledse that to a large dej:ree, central government will fund local architectural projects, however, we wish this resource to be allocated as a lump sum giving the community considerable say in what it spends its money on. We also believe that this lack of funding means that voluntary or charitable community design schemes can only provide a minute minority service. The value of the. present voluntary or charitable project is to show. the need and learnthe pros and cons for starting the real thing. Similar to the example set by charitable housing trusts in the last century. So however devolve the design team and local unit of government is, we are going to have to come to terms with some government intervention as a result of the financial situation. But tackling the worst aspects of government intervention has greater potential at a local level. A local design team working co-operatively with the community will raise the aspir- ations and the collective potential of that community. Increased collective action can challenge the stretched resources of the state and overcome the state's paternalistic and repressive aspects, thus creating a real shift of power to the community. Red tape has grown to conceal and conserve the dual contradict- ory elements of state intervention. Looking at the role of design standards is an illustrative example. National standards have evolved from a conflict of opinions. Take Parker Morris for example: 1 for the working class, Parker Morris ensures a minimum spacial requirement in council housing the role of the state there are 2 for the state and probably the professional too, Parker Morris provides a standard that ensures the working class can recreate itself. 3 for free enterprise, Parker Morris represents the maximum amount of space bought with some of the profits of capitalism. Seen in this way, standards become a political issue and one which as professionals with progressive intentions we have to understand and act upon. If we are to work in the community providing our services for those who can'ttafford us or our products, we must clearly ally ourselves with their interests. For me this means we must not only fight to maintain what standards have been achieved by centuries of collective action but also press for improvements in standards. At the present time some LAs are trying to relax Parker Morris standards in an attempt to house more people. This is totally wrong. Rather than challenge the government on the helpful aspects of standards, the government should be challenged on its inadequate allocation of resources to housing. It is also wrong because councils' response to public pressure for housing is met with demands by the council only for a reduction in standards: the whole community should be aroused to demand greater housing resources. So far I have outlinedfour reasons for decentralisation with grass roots involvement: ir it is at this level that the greatest potential exists to improve society. 2 the role of the professional Weer ngoe eeteT? and educational rather than remote and paternalistic. 3 the greatest benefits and, therefore, satisfaction, can occur here. 4 at this level the state has the least potential for harmful intervention. With this in mind let us develop a suggested outline for the Public Design Service of tomorrow. The Public Design Service working in the interests of the community will be locally based and fully accountable to the community. It will be a multi-disciplinary team working on a collective basis, in the team will be: architects, technicians, planners, builders, together with specialists as required. The team will be account— able to a parish or ward committee consisting of locally elected representatives of the following organisations: tenants' and community groups, trade unions, political parties and team workers. The local committee will have power to dispense resources and allocate land, accept designs and employ staff. The committee will have to relate to higher organs of government. This will only be meaningful if financial control is firmly locally controlled and the decentralisation of local government reverses the effects of local government re-organisation. We suggest the following strategy for decentralising LAADs. a At present architectural teams in LAADs are organised either on a specialist basis or general basis but both operating throughout the whole LA area. b Within the department teams should be allocated to specific areas, wards, parishes etc. and that they should all be general teams capable of calling in specialist advice should they need it. (Up to this point we believe there is a capability of fairly quick achievement and we have, therefore, included it in our interim proposals. The strategy from this point on is much morelong term and only a suggested guide.) c Having established teams with local responsibilities contacts and connections can be gradually increased with that community. d When good local relations have beenstarted it seems silly to have all local teams in 'head office'. The time has come to move the office accommodation into the local team area. Where possible housing should be made available in the area for team members wha wish to live in the community. e The local teams dig in, begin to formalise the democratic links with the community. f With well-established links both formal and informal ways should be developed of increasing the power of the community. Q.E.D. in conclusion a locally based democratically decentralised design team has been formed. How would that model work in your borough ? Examples of this approach are at present being worked through. It is important to realise that from the start this approach is dependent upon co-operation from all involved departments. It is not the sort of idea that can be imposed from above. Similarly, it would be very helpful to groups attempting such a course to have worked examples and plenty of back-up arguments prepared. This is a task in which the PDS believes it'can play an important part. The PDG in its interim proposals has set out the following issues which we believe can be tacked successfully. i The change from specialist architectural teams to area based general design teams, previously mentioned. 2 Job architects to report in person to the client committees. 3 Tenants and users to be included in briefing job architects and the designs, standards etc. to be approved by the tenants and users. further. 1 Internal Democracy a aBe3 aa iv 4 Architects' Departments to be altered so that there are only job architects and the chief architect. As an example we can site the case of building material standards. EJMA windows may provide an easy answer to many problems. But architecturally we can find that the various combinations of side hung, top light pivoting result in an aesthetic nightmare. While from the housing departments! view the quality of timber results in frequent and costly maintenance problems. To the building department the use of such windows is often awkward with problems in installation, lintel sizes, scaffolding etc. and again the continuing volume of maintenance work. If we can get all these knowledgeable elements together to form a design construction team we can begin to put right the separation of builder and designer. This artificial separation only came about with the advent of the industrial revolution (see NAM's "A Short History of the Architectural Profession"). We have seen the value of direct labour organisations to the public and we must add to that our belief in our public role to create a design construction team unsurpassed by the private sector. It is hoped that these proposals will improve internal and external democracy. The PDG has taken these and other issues and begun to develop them What follows are proposals that are not easily or quickly achievable and will, therefore, form part of the future work of the PDG. Design teams of around 12 people locally based would operate co-operatively, the team would include architects, technicians, quantity surveyors, service engineers, builders and secretarial staff. The team would elect annually a team leader. Management Committees - local authorities suffer from a rigid hierarchial pyramid, we believe that policy and management decisions should be made by a departmental committee with representatives of all types of depart- mental workers. In this way the collective wisdom of the department is fully utilised and escapist buck-passing is avoided. The link between teams and departmental committee will be an elected one. Links with other departments will be made at two levels, (a) working teams can be made up of interdepartmental people, i.e. from the housing department, building department , social services etc. and (bd) interdepartmental committees representative of a cross section of department- al staff, i.e. not just the chiefs. 2 External Democracy The advantages that arise from the formation of tenant/user client committees for briefing job architects and approving the work etc. are: a working with tenants/street or;anisations provides a wealth of knowledge of the area, historical background, minute detail, seneral problems, local characters, ambitions etc. A close relationship with the community creates two side effects - (i) the community's increased knowledge enables them to articulate their desires towards the built environ- ment more effectively, (ii) the role of the professional as educator and initial organiser on the environment enables the community to develop its own strength from which demands can be made to increase standards and the allocation of resources. b Trades Councils form the local focus of trade union branches and as such have great potential for action on community affairs. Currently there is a TUC campaign to improve the provision of facilities for the disabled. Trades Councils around the country are pursuing policies to get these provisions realised. The fact that it is often the architects who appear to forget the handicapped has been noticed by the trades unions. But we know as architects that the problem is often one of cost. Clearly the coupling of trades council pressure and architectural knowledge could lead to an increased provision of facilities for the disabled. 5 Theory of Public: Service We believe that civilisation in enhanced by the collective wisdom and actions of the populace. The:-funetion.of pubic service is to provide the community with an instrument that realises collective decisions. We need to not only study and develop the theory of public service but to apply practically these ideals in our day to day work. 4 As previously pointed out, housing provided in a free market society has to be capable of providing the dominant class with a working class that is capable of reproducing itself. We have seen that free enterprise is incapable on its own of providing decent housing for all the population. The reality of these facts will strike anyone who has to spend his days visiting council housing, so clearly designed as a machine for existing in. There is no way that they provide a space for growing mentally and physically. Few people realise that the system that created the need for public housing is still incapable of providing owner occupation for a good half of the population. (Rented accommodation both private and public accounts for 50% of the population but only 47% of the dwellings, depending upon which source of information is used.) As an agent of public service I wish to see public housing built to the highest possible standards. Public housing should embody all the collective ideologies and benefits that do not occur in isolated owner/occupier rip off Wimpey estates. Housing associations are another diversion sent to confuse the issue. Housing associations receive government funding without either the control or the democracy found in local authorities. In essence they provide the government with a back door method of getting housing on the cheap. Central Government Central government is, and will continue to be, the main source of public housing finance. There is such a lot of ground to cover here that already the PDG sees the need to work closely with other more economically orientated alternative organisations. The conference of Socialist Economists Housing Workshop springs to mind in this context. The PDG believes that case studies will have to be made of particular situations ‘and that the values and problems found should be made available to all interested parties. PDG Strategy and Steering Group To co-ordinate the work of all the groups and further’ the development of public design. If. we can only get three or four groups under way as a result of this conference there will be a substantial improvement in our capabilities. Fro m the amount of work the PDG has done already, as well as organise this conference, I know that an enlarged team can make very satisfactory progress. At this point I'd like to tell a little story of how I see the future in a local design team. "Tt was spring time in the office, a bare headed technician was watering down the coffee. No, but seriously, it hadn't been a bad week. The District Council have agreed to convert the old St John's school and the pressure from the residents had ensured that the funds would be made available in the next financial year. At the present time no suitable way has been found of avoiding speculation on land values, and until national asset in the same way as coal, will be found. ao land is treated as a no satisfactory answer I was leaving the office on the way to the Bullfinch for a lunch-time pint when old Jack Scamp came up to me after seeing the new technician, Grace. I thought I was in for the usual round of complaints about drains, windows, pigeons or whatever happened to upset him, but remarkably he was quite affable. Apparently he had been to complain about the draught of cold night air coming into his WC. Grace must have actually got through to him, for he had agreed to have his house modernised. Something to do with piles I think ! "Hey up, Adam" called Mrs Bestwick as Iwalked alony Maple Road. "T've had that leak mended, the man came round not half-an-hour after I told you about ot o" "Well," I said, "that's what comes of having a proper council building department." "Aye, its zood to see our rates being used properly. Thanks anyway." Crossing over New Road I was glad of the shelter provided by the young trees, the wind still having a nip in it, and I shuddered at the thought of wide open tarmac and grass spaces that this fifties council estate used to have as landscaping. ° Over the door of the Bullfinch was the name of the Landlord, Ernie Wigley, never got over that name. Inside Ernie served me my usual while rattling on about old St John's school and how aS a boy he could remember ... " Ahn well, a little dream at present it may be, BUT a major reality it can indeed become. We've stated why we believe in decentralised public design offices and we have shown one possible way of getting there. We know a lot of work has to be done and we believe this work will reveal other ways of gaining our objectives, For too long LAADs have sat back and defenSively resisted any change at all. It is now time that we rekindled our faith in the public service. The kind of fully-committed public service we talk about can be created, and we can create environments in which people are people, where a sense of caring and sharing is dominant. We can create a really happy, first-class public environment. The PDG believes, and we hope you will agree with us, that the ideals of public service are worth fighting for, that the part we play can lead to a better society. If you want to see first class public housing estates, first class inner city environments, first rate public participation, join with us and help create democratic design, a new role for local authority architects that is a real public service. i, This conference endorses the development of the PDG and asks all those interested to either a attend the next PDG meeting on Saturday, May 27th at 11.30 a.m., 118 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, or b inform the PDG of what work they would be interested to participate in. 2 The task of the PDG and its working groups is to further the ambitions of a Public Design Service. a The PDG will report on its progress to the Annual Congress of the New Architecture Movement, provisionally on November llth & 12th at Cheltenhan. 4 This conference expresses its thanks to the New Architecture Movement for its help and assistance. 5 This conference expresses its thanks to the Midland Region of the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians for the use of the premises and hopes that this event is the forerunner of other co-operative ventures between building and design workers. Adam Purser, 6th May, 1978. . = as ge ’ : o ie 5 v ~\ é \ t }2 ;: 4 VRoeS é:‘;£ S&S ps fe a 53 - te wy D -\ 1 4 Bb ”f » > ~ Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Adam Purser Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Allan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 1978 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/a66104a58388f32cfdaa4f8c38a834a1.pdf e5f5e7f46f8d4b5e1903ea22bc6e074f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Group Description An account of the resource Argued that it was only through the public sector that the majority of people could have access to the land and resources needed for housing, education and other essential services. The task was therefore to reform the practice of architecture in local councils to provide an accessible and accountable design service. The Public Design Group proposed reforms to the practice of architecture in local councils to provide a design service accessible and accountable to local people and service users. The following 6 Interim Proposals were developed which were later initiated and implemented in Haringey Council 1979-1985 by NAM members. <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Local area control over resources </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Design teams to be area based </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Area design teams to be multi-disciplinary </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Project architects to report directly to committee</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Abolish posts between Team Leader and Chief Architect </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Joint working groups with Direct Labour Organisations</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Service - A Personal History Subject The topic of the resource A personal history from the first NAM Congress in November 1975 to 2006 describing the development of NAM ideas in Haringey and subsequently in Russia and Slovakia. Description An account of the resource A PUBLIC DESIGN SERVICE A PERSONAL HISTORY At the first NAM conference in November 1975, at the request of Brian Anson of ARC, I presented a paper on a National Design Service. Subsequently, along with people from a variety of locations, including Adam Purser, a former Brian Anson student we developed the ideas from the initial paper, which proposed involving tenants and users in the design process and collective responsibility on the part of the design teams. Although we in NAM’s Public Design Service Group didn’t manage to achieve this nationally, we did more or less achieve it in Haringey. In Haringey we developed area based multi- disciplinary design teams, so that people in teams owed allegiance to their teams rather than to their professions and, through their teams, to the community they served. Team Leaders were also accountable to their teams and the Service Coordinator was elected from amongst the Team Leaders. At the same time as we in NAM were developing our ideas, young Labour councillors who had emerged from tenants’ struggles like Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Grant in Haringey were beginning to be elected. They were fully supportive of our ideas. Jeremy Corbyn was the Chair of the Planning Cttee, which at that time oversaw the Architects Service. Jeremy and his committee approved the NAM proposals for 8 multi-disciplinary area teams. He chaired the panel, which selected the team leaders including myself. We then worked closely with him defending public services like the DLO against Tory government attacks. I was appointed as the team leader of the Wood Green Team in 1979. Our main work was the rehabilitation of the 19C Noel Park Estate, designed by Rowland Plumb for the Artisans and Labourers Dwellings Company for workers on the new railway line out of London. The Council took it over in 1966. It’s a marvellous estate, set out on a gridiron plan with very small houses which had baths in the kitchens and outside WCs. We put in new bathrooms and kitchens. With the tenants and housing officers we worked out an efficient system which enabled us to renovate 100 houses a year on time and on cost. We also completed a new award-winning sheltered housing scheme. By 1985 the new arrangements were fully approved. I was elected as the Coordinator. As part of a policy to encourage local young people to become involved in architecture, each team appointed two local young people as trainee architects. We were asked to establish a team at Broadwater Farm after the 1985 riots. A few years later George Meehan the Chair of Housing complained to me that the team had gone native. I suggested that this was a mark of their success and took his complaint as a compliment. Eventually during a restructuring in 1990, the Personnel Service brought us more into line with other Council Services and I became the Borough Architect. The restructuring removed some of our autonomy though and we became part of a Directorate. To supplement the service income in the light of a declining capital programme, in 1988 we established Haringey BDS public sector consultancy and obtained work from housing associations and from other councils, such as Newham and Tower Hamlets in London and from Leicester and Nottingham. Eventually the consultancy provided 15% of service income. As part of a consortium, we won in competition a project in Moscow to create a small business support agency. The UK Govt. Know How Fund funded the project. Based on our work with Broadwater Farm, we collaborated with the University of Cambridge to provide advice to Bratislava City Council in A PUBLIC DESIGN SERVICE A PERSONAL HISTORY Slovakia on renovation of a large concrete panel estate. This project also funded by UK Govt. Know How Fund. Our project in Moscow was deemed a success and was eventually opened by the Minister. At the end of the project our team and the Russians began to look for ‘life after death’. Using the Russians’ Komsomol contacts we travelled all over Russia giving seminars. Eventually we won an EU TACIS bid to provide small business support agencies in 23 Russian cities. My colleagues asked me to join them in the new project so I decided to leave Haringey in 1994 to work with my former colleagues in Russia. After the first project was complete in 1996, in conjunction with Russian SMEs and Housing Associations we won an EU TACIS funded project to develop economic sustainable housing in Chelyabinsk, a large industrial city in the Urals. I worked in collaboration with Jon Broome of Architype who provided the house design. Subsequently built in Liverpool but alas not in Russia as the 1998 Russian financial crash put a stop to the implementation of our project. In 1998 two colleagues and I established SEEDS (Social, Economic, Educational Development), a not for profit organisation which aimed to inform policies, influence practice and to generate projects which help to implement a set of social objectives. Through SEEDS we won a DFID funded social housing renovation project in Ekaterinburg, the capital city of the Russian Ural region, to develop a low cost, tenant-driven renovation model for the 5 storey so-called Khrushchev flats which house some 40m Russians, mostly poor. A key feature of the project was to encourage residents to become involved in the proposals for their flats and to persuade the city administration to involve residents in decisions affecting their homes. I was the leader of the project and involved some of my old Broadwater Farm colleagues in the team. We designed a project with DFID to implement our findings and in 2001 were in the middle of tendering for it when the Government decided to divert money away from Russia to Africa. Perhaps they were right but we and our Russian colleagues were very disappointed. We tried unsuccessfully for EU TACIS funding before finally accepting defeat. In 1999 I was asked by my old NAM and Haringey colleague Andy Brown to apply for an Interim Manager’s job with Southwark Building Design Service. I did so and then worked intermittently at Southwark until 2007 when my assignment to procure sub consultancies to supplement the work of in-house staff ended. Unfortunately Southwark Building Design Service which was the last Borough Architects Service in London was closed down a short while later. Since 2006 I have been working as the volunteer coordinator for the North London Group of Different Strokes, a charity which supports working age stroke survivors. John Murray 15 October 2015 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource John Murray Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Murray Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 15 October 2015 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/5fcb220d438e26f101f86c9d924c54a0.pdf 8cdd2691bee0238b369c2d73118d7821 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/0c240674b46af701a79362460fa538be.pdf 345e5d38a9af15bba38961a43380fee2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Group Description An account of the resource Argued that it was only through the public sector that the majority of people could have access to the land and resources needed for housing, education and other essential services. The task was therefore to reform the practice of architecture in local councils to provide an accessible and accountable design service. The Public Design Group proposed reforms to the practice of architecture in local councils to provide a design service accessible and accountable to local people and service users. The following 6 Interim Proposals were developed which were later initiated and implemented in Haringey Council 1979-1985 by NAM members. <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Local area control over resources </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Design teams to be area based </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Area design teams to be multi-disciplinary </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Project architects to report directly to committee</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Abolish posts between Team Leader and Chief Architect </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Joint working groups with Direct Labour Organisations</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Public Design Service Conference (Birmingham) Subject The topic of the resource Conference Programme Description An account of the resource CONTENTS s CONFERENCE PROGRAMME INTERIM PROPOSALS BACKGROUND TO CONFERENCE THE PARTY POLITICAL CONTEXT ORIGINS, EVOLUTION AND STRUCTURE OF L. A. DEPTS. OF ARCHITECTURE FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK PUBLIC DESIGN SERVICE CONFERENCE MAY 1978 A UNION BASED INITIATIVE IN HACKNEY HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES A NEW ROLE FOR PUBLIC DESIGN DEMOCRATIC DESIGN A PUBLIC DESIGN SERVICE CONFERENCE SATURDAY 6 MAY at UCATT House, Gough Street, Birmingham I. I0.00 I0.30 20.35 I0. 50 II.15 II.45 12.15 13.00 T3.00 T4.00 T4.00 T4 30 T4.30 15.00 15.00 15.5 15.45 16.00 16.90 16.30 16.30 LiwlD 17.15 T7230 17.90 RHGISTRATION AND COFFEE. CONFERENCE AIMS OF THE GONFER#NCE - Chairman's DISCUSSION. DISCUSSION« DISCUSSION. CONCLUDING CONFERENCE CLOSHS, OPENH#D BY K. BARLOW, REG. SEC. UCATT, opening comments. REMARKS = Chairman. Conference Programme THE PARTY POLITICAL CONTEXT ~ Howard Smith. Implications following the Local Elections. LUNCH = Food available at the Conference. CURRENT ROLE OF L.A. DEPTS. OF ARCHITHZCTURS - John Murray, Their origins, structure and their relationship to private practice and the profession, DISCUSSION, NaW APPROACHHES IN HACKNEY - Tom Bulley. Some first steps by L.A. Workers, THE D,L.O. #XPERIENCE - Peter Carter. A NEw ROLE FOR PUBLIC DESIGN - Adam Purser. Including Interim Proposals and future strategy. maintained buildings. PDS Group May, 1978. and which create the potential for further change : interim Proposals and while giving each team a varied work load. % + To achieve an effective Public Design Service the NAM Public Design Service Group proposes local authority design and build teams which are area based and which will be accountable to users and tenants. We suggest the following interim proposals which are feasible now * DESIGN TEAMS SHOULD BE AREA BASED INSTEAD OF FUNCTION BASED. To increase the potential accountability to local people, * JOB ARCHITECTS SHOULD REPORT DIRECTLY TO COMMITTEE. * TENANTS AND USERS SHOULD BE PART OF BRIEFING TEAM, AND SHOULD HAVE POWER OF APPROVAL OVER DESIGNS AND STANDARDS. * ESTABLISH JOINT WORKING GROUPS WITH DLOS. To consider how to achieve better designed, constructed and AREA DESIGN TEAMS SHOULD BE MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND SHOULD HAVE AROUND 12 MEMBERS AS A SUGGESTED OPTIMUM. ABOLISH POSTS BETWEEN GROUP LEADER AND CHIEF ARCHITECT. As a preliminary step towards group leaders having equivalent status to chief architect. i.e. towards a two-tier system. — Plartrn ds epburn _ Coup Ghim Aig ? Background through the public sector. this conference. PDS Group NAM 9 Poland Street LONDON. WI. At its Hull Congress in November 1977, the New Architecture Movement decided to develop further its policies relating to the public sector. NAM's interest in this field had already been established at our first Congress in Harrogate in 1975 when the idea of a National Design Service was put forward. The National Design Service (NDS) proposals, based on a critique of architectural patronage, argued for a locally based design service directly accountable to tenants and users. It was suggested that Local Authority departments of architecture could provide the basis for such a service. Discussions on the NDS were continued initially under the auspices of the former North London Group of NAM, and a small issue group evolved. Further NDS papers stressed the view that any long term advance in architectural service to the public could only come By late 1977, it was considered that a more concentrated programme of research and action was required and following the Hull Congress an enlarged N.D.S. Group were mandated to carry out the work and to arrange Since November, the NDS Group evolved into the Public Design Service (PDS) Group. The Group, in addition to refining its critique of patronage and Local Authority working arrangements, has been studying the origins| and present role of Local Authority departments of architecture and their relationship to the profession and private practice. Work has also been done on the party political context and on an analysis of Housing Associations. The results of this preliminary study are presented here as draft papers, interim proposals, and suggested areas of future work. For further information contact DRAFT MAY 1978 O-fl-G- Nes, ENS Ul ON AND Teer ee Cro LO EAL AT HOR PTY Pere eSO aeaa Re PREFACE: rity architectural practice. The purpose of this first study is to develop a theory which can: within the profession, alike, architecture. This paper is a draft of what is intended to become three separate papers dealing with (a) the origins and role of local authority departments of architecture (b) their relationship to private sract ite and the profession and (c) their internal structure. These issues are closely linked and a major part of this and future studies is to deve- lop a theoretical framework which can describe adequately local autho- show how public and private practice are different in their origins and social role and which can provide material to counter the persistent denigration of the public sector from describe adequately the failings of local authority departments of architecture as experienced by public architects and users indicate the way in which progress can be made in public |NTRODUCTOIN suggestions. and in the private sector because it does not reinforce but is in ceFee Bute .' Hupp The problem of explaining the persistent vilification of local autho- rity departments of architecture is not primarily a difficulty of pointing to possible causes. Anyone acquainted with either the archi- tectural profession or with tenants organisations could readily make others.Inasocietybasedonexchange,buildingsforusearenecessa-pen It will be argued here that criticisms of those departments are based on two major and separate arguments. C onsequently any attempt to under= stand public practice should take account of both. On the one hand it will be said that local authority departments are denigrated by society generally and by the architectural profession in particular for two main reasons. Firstly local authority practice is a public and non profit making institution. Relations within the departments are thus different from those which obtain in the private sector. Secondly local authorities themselves provide collective resources for the social requirements of the public. That is public architects design solely for public use. In each case they are in opposition to the prevailing and dominant ideas in society which support the belief in individual private enterprise. Comparisons between public practice and private practice which in its basis and function supports the prevailing ideology, are likely to by uglann”, esult in the former being regarded in an unfavourable light. It will a. ee be shown that for this reason, a widely held view in the profession of local authority practice appears to be generalised from examples of the worst rather than of the best public architecture. In the private sector the opposite is the case. The image is one which apparently is generalised from a few well designed buildings by a few well known firms. The rest are ignored. Furthermore, it will be seen that there exists within the profession an attitude which defines certain types of buildings as being more worthy of architectural attention than rily ranked low. x Quip lo ; vactil cnen il Nd, Pree Aockice tvs fr 4.Ap .— Thus it will be argued that public practice is denigrated in society opposition to the prevailing system and its associated ideology. contain two main paradoxes: as to alienate both worker and user. those social relations. place in a certain direction. lysed. =9= On the other hand there exists another type of concern over local authority departments of architecture. It is to be found amongst the consumers of the service and amongst local authority architets them- selves. (1) For them local authority departments are authoritarian and unresponsive to the requirements of both users and architects. Local authority provision and public architectural practice therefore Thirdly, the present structure of public design departments will be related to public access and the local authority architect. Firstly, while state welfare provision is for the benefit of the existing social arrangements the means of provision are in opposition to those ideas which stem from and sustain those arrangements. Secondly, although local authorities provide for social use and while their departments are not based on extracting a surplus from their architectural workers yet their arrangements and procedures are such The answer to these paradoxes is to be found in theories which relate to the role of the state in society. In particular it will be argued that it is the states' function to secure the reproduction of the labour force and of the existing social relations. It thus services the private basis of society by providing for the majority of people their education, health and housing requirements. But the states' role in securing the reproduction of the labour force and of the social relations of production can only be carried out at the expense of It is because of these contradictions that change will take place. The interim proposals suggested in another part of the conference papers may be regarded as creating the potential for change to take This paper will be in three main parts. Firstly in order to establish (a) the social role of the local authority and its departments of architecture and (b) the different basis of public and private archi- tectural practice the present position will be considered and the ori- gins of public practice will be traced. Secondly, professional criti- cisms of the local authority departments of architecture will be ana- PUBLIC PRACTICE: second world war. Local authority departments of architecture employ nearly one third of all registered architects. L.A. architects remain in a minority des- pite a steady increase in numbers and a substantial increase in the volume of public building works this century and especially since the In 1952 19.6% of registered architects worked in local government. This had increased to 28.6% in 1964 and to 31.3% in 1977. At the same time 41.6% of registered architects worked in private practice in 1962, 50.1% in 1964 and 45.2% in 1977. (2) In addition the propor- tion of employment in private practice is falling in favour of public practice as various studies have shown. (3) In 1966 nearly half of all public building was still being carried out by private practice. Vrvaccounted-for about one third then compared to 29% now of the total TOTS workload by value carried out by private practice. (4) The growth of local authority departments of architecture followed closely on government legislation which made housing and schools a statutory responsibility. While L.A. departments carry out a variety of work, it will be shown that their origins are almost wholly depen- dent on the provision of schools and housing by the state, and that their subsequent identity as separate departments depend on whether the local authority build mainly schools or mainly housing. (5) The provision of state housing and schools goes back 59 and 76 years respectively and it is the extension of this responsibility for the greater part of post war housing and schools under the 1944 Education Act that accounts for the vast expansion of architectural work and to a larger degree of the architectural staff in local authorities. °9/-9961| Pue 4/-17961 einzipusdxyz pue swodu; |eud! EN + SO!PIAOYINY |ed0| Aq Buip, ing ‘*uojAe7 *°Q) :S904N0g 981€ €8Z1 09 66€ Ort Het Heh 194 264 try ole oe £L—- | (e201 96 a) Gs) Gz Gz Lz 42 Zz iz| iz 0z (31) L-€[e101 681 ol 9H 6 |6 ol l 9 S S lL S 42410 81 6 9 t € € € € € € Z | BIIAASSS4!4 L9 Zz a b L 8 8 lL 8 lL S 4 9110q (€ € € € € Z € € € ( *oJ0 poby jo e4e9 z6 et 92 tc € € €°-€ c € € € ozgz6c.)Gz9) ELE Giy|Lon 00m|EH ily|€t|oS€ Z+JO[e104 96s| sez| ost z [ZI €ol zg tL. zl LZ zg 0s e4edpliyg 4 UuO!}eONpy ZZ2Z Hl S64 SZ 767 10 BLE G9 66€ ZSE 88Z 192 Buy snoy S61 oL61 7961 8561 LS61 9561 S561 4961 €S61 7561 iS61 0561 42]22H (UOLLLEW F) ‘win UL Bulp| ing uo sela}soyjny |e90| Aq einzipuedxg teqideg existence. notes, -3- in fact carried out by private architects". (9) Board began to function. A study of the history of the fluctuating fortunes of public spending on council housing and schools shows that these vary according to whether a Labour or Conservative Government is in office. (6) The growth of these services is dependent on Labour governments. L.A. departments which service these, consequently but indirectly have relied on labour for their continuing workload. L.A. departments of architecture depend on the maintenance of public services for their own The table shows the extent of the other work for which L.A. departments are responsible. Schools and housing however accounted for 15 times the value of all others in 1961 (7) and for 8 times the value in 1976. Since the National Health Service Act, 1946 responsibility for building hospitals was vested in the Regional Hospital Boards whose own architec= tural staff work mainly on research and administration. (8) Asa result of the Act as the 1950 Percy Thomas Report on Private Practice The question of separate departments of architecture is also related to schools and housing. Where the major part of an L.A. department is school work, there has almost invariably been a separate architect s department. Thus in the former counties, whose main work was education buildings (counties provided housing only for county staff, e.g. police) 61 out of the 62 counties had separate departments in 1968. (10) In-house architects have always been the rule rather than the exception as far as school building is concerned. Robson, the first London School Board architect was appointed almost directly after the School engineer and surveyors department, particularly in the smaller towns. Tete Architectural work has in fact ceased to be a responsi- bility of local authority official architects and much of it is In cities and towns, now the district authorities, where the main L.A. architectural work is housing, architects are very often part of the Counties County Boroughs Non County Boroughs (excluding London) Metropolitan Boroughs Urban Districts Rural Districts Total number of 1937 1957 authorities Ah 60 62 14 47 83 1 14 318 1 5 28 1 4 564 1 Z 474 61 132 1529 County Councils District Councils London Boroughs 49 53 123 369 31 32 Source: Metropolitan Year Book 1978 —h Source: E. Layton "Building by Local Authorities" p.136. Number of separate Architects Departments in England and Wales in 1978 Number of departments Number of Authorities 203 454 Number of separate Architects Departments in England and Wales before Reorganisation *. Furthermore as Elizabeth Layton has pointed out, -5- There may be several reasons for this, the most important apparently being that housing since the 19th century and until fairly recently was regarded as a public health and public order matter, not an architec- tural one. (Housing until the 1950s was under the control of the Ministry of Health). Because of these links it was, in the 19th century more closely associated with the domain of the engineer. lt may be noted that due to the anxiety over public health and order, and the resulting need for sewers and new roads, the surveyors’ was the first local authority technical department. Gibson et al (11) argue that since this department already existed, it was expedient for all addi- tional technical and related duties to be automatically passed to it. Any important work was given to private firms. "Many authorities considered the use of architects for dwellings for the working class a quite unnecessary expense and have and in 1953 the Institution for Municipal Engineers circulated a docu- ment arguing that the creation of separate architects departments would "Municipal engineering and architecture have no clear cut dividing line ....... the municipal engineer is trained and experienced to act as head of a comprehensive technical depart- ment. The best, the most logical and in the end the most econo mical practice is therefore to put all technical work under the continued to do so until very recently". (12) The municipal engineers argued strongly for the status quo. In his presidential address to the 1911 Housing and Town Planning Conference the president of the Institution for Municipal Engineers stated, "Expressions of opinion have been given to the idea that municipal engineers and surveyors are not the proper persons to be entrusted with the carrying out of this Act (1909 Housing and Town Planning Act) but that members of other professional bodies are more competent to undertake this work, who after all is better qualified than the local surveyor..... 2 (13) undoubtedly increase the staffing costs of local authorities. municipal surveyor...." (14) AJ 22.1.53 p.1I9. -~6§+ Thus although the social legislation of the 19th and 20th century gave rise to the need for an increasing public building programme, it did not automatically lead to L.A. departments of architecture. Separate departments emerged at different times in different authorities. The LCC architects department one of the first if not the first evolved from the old Metropolitan Board of Works in 1888. In Sheffield the department originated in 1908. Bristol had to wait until 1939 for the architect to be separated from the engineers department, while A.G. Shephard Fidler, Birmingham's first city architect was not appointed until 1952. The reasons for these differences are intriguing, and in the absence of any data at this stage it may be speculated that several factors influenced the decision, including increasing housing programmes, local political views regarding housing and possibly the ability of the architects department to convince the council that housing was indeed an appropriate concern of the architect. In order to consider the origins of these, it is important to take a broader view of the emergence of the two most important services from the L.A. building point of view, housing and schools. They in turn are closely related to the history of local government itself. eT LOCAL GOVERNMENT = BACKGROUND TO SERVICES: were associated concerns. wage worker". (17) Local authority departments of architecture and indeed local govern- ment itself are relatively modern innovations. Writers like Summerson (15) have described how L.A. architecture stemmed froma shift from private to public patronage in the late 18th and 19th centuries. But this hardly gives a full picture. Local authority patronage itself evolved from the needs of 19th century industrial and urbanised society. These needs were i]lustrated by the fears expressed by the Victorian middle class over what they felt to be the breakdown of family life, morality, law and order and health amongst the poor. They The history of the mid-19th century is a story of the unsuccessful attempts of philanthropy and organised religion to alleviate these. Central government was eventually, albeit reluctantly, obliged to intervene to provide these services necessary for the maintenance and perpetuation of the workforce and of the existing social order. It is at this period of transformation that evidence for Althusser's That is, any society must create the conditions for its own perpetua- tion, for the renewal of raw materials, tools and of labour itself. As far as labour is concerned, at one level the reproduction of labour power is ensured by giving labour the material means to reproduce itself outside the firm, namely wages. But this in itself is inade- quate to ensure that each new generation of labour is appropriate to the work which will be required of it. Therefore Althusser maintains that it is the role of the state both central and local to secure the provision of the necessary housing education and health care. Thus it is argued that the primary basis of the governments' involvement in housing is to secure the reproduction of the labour face. Secondly, the social relations of production must be reproduced if the society is to continue in its present form. theories on the role of the state can be most clearly seen. (16) "The capitalist mode of production regarded as a connected whole or as a process of reproduction therefore produces.... and reproduces the capitalist relation itself; produces and reproduces on one side the capitalist and on the other side the crisis of reproduction. governmental control. =6= Hence a mode of production must create the conditions for its own perpetuation, the reproduction of these conditions being as important as production itself. And Althusser has argued that the social rela- tions of production are secured "for the most partTM by the legal, political and ideological superstructure, which are controlled by the state, On the one hand there is the police, army and courts, the "repressive state apparatusses" and on the other, and of greater importance in our society, the “ideological state apparatuses", hous— ing,education,social services etc. These ensure the transmission by various means, including the fact of their existence, the knowledge of society which leads people to identify with the dominant culture. The state therefore attempts to secure the reproduction of the social relations and of the labour force through the same medium. The history of government legislation is clarified by this view. For example far reaching legislation usually followed closely after work- ing class protest and unrest, when society appeared to be in danger of breaking down. In addition and for that reason, legislation controlled more and more precisely activities at local level. The following brief description gives an indication of how housing and education services emerged and how they were dependent on a prior reform of While it is beyond the scope of this paper to discuss this theory in detail it may be noted that Althussers' argument does not fully account for the fact that in the U.K. at least the state achieves these ends by different methods depending on the nature of the government in office. Apparently opposite policies are proposed to achieve, in Althusser's terms, the same ends. Secondly, although the state through various agencies may seek to secure the social relations and although it may do this either by promulgating ideas or having embodied in these agencies ideas which have this effect, such an analysis cannot account for the pervasiveness of ideology. Other writers such as Mepham (18) have produced a much more convincing interpretation. For the purpose of this paper it is taken that the role of the State is to secure the reproduction of the labour force and of the social relations, on behalf of the prevailing economic mode in the society. it is in the 19th century that for the first time, capitalism faced a Local government and the Welfare State: Harris has pointed out, =~ 9 = The emergence of the present system of local government is related to the growth of the welfare state. Before then and up until the 18th century, the slow development of local government was mainly connected with poor relief. (19) It was only when a portion of the taxes collected were returned from the centre for local and social purposes that the first principles of modern local government were established. With the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832 the political predominance of the middle class was substituted for that of the aristocracy and the new rulers began to write their interests and ideas upon the statute book. Allthe middle class received the vote and industrial capital now secured a large share of political power. The legislation which followed was preceded by the last mass protest in English history against rural conditions - The Labourer's Revolt. The rioting, rick burning and machine smashing were confined to those southern counties in which the Speenhamland System of poor relief was best known. The threat to social order was perceived to be a result of the inadequacy of the poor law system in the face of continued economic stress and a commission was set up to inquire into its operation. (20) Two significant pieces of legislation followed. Firstly in 1834 the Poor Law Amendment Act abolished the system of outdoor relief. The last ties keeping the population in one place were thus severed in the interests of industrial capital. Administratively the Act sought to give uniform direction to poor law policy through the introduction of centralised executive control of local government administration. As “For the first time a central government department was authorised to exercise extensive control over the activities of local government and thereby was established an administrative system which continued for over 100 years" (21) Secondly, in 1835, The Municipal Corporations Act fixed the principles of a new system of municipal government, (extended to cover the counties four years later) the principal features of which are still in force; e.g. the country was divided into local government areas, - 10 = councils were elected by local ratepayers, magistrates were to be appointed by the Crown and the Town Clerk and Treasurer were to become obligatory appointments. Equally far reaching was the new doctrine of ultra vires. Central administrative control was introduced to limit the sphere of local. government operations. That is local government was and still is permitted to act only in areas specified by central government. Thus with the Poor Law Amendment Act, central administrative control was established, with the Municipal Corporations Act local democracy was extended while local powers were restricted. These two facts lead the way to a gradual development of a paid loca! government service. Numerous officers were appointed and by 1835 the principle of a paid police force in towns was established. (22) Local government was now in a position to administer these services required by the society as a whole and deemed necessary by central government. Local government departments, including architecture, gradually developed to fulfil the various requirements of providing those services which became known as welfare provision. The local Government Act 1889 which created the London County Council and set up a series of County and County Borough Councils throughout the land com- pleted 19th century local government reform. education of the poor. Housing: The provision of all local government services may be seen in terms of its role in defence of the existing social arrangements. However, only those major services which gave rise directly to L.A. departments of architecture will be considered here. The emergence of the paid local government architect is most closely related to the housing and The question of housing the poor in the 19th century as in the 20th is essentially an urban one. The appearance of epidemics, particularly of cholera in 1832, which spread rapidly amongst the population "without consideration of rank, class or locality" (although it was more viru= lent in the highly populated areas of towns) brought to the attention of the Victorian middle class the potential threat to the maintenance of their society in terms of the ill health of the poor. (24) by Octavia Hill. the physical benefits". impression on the problem". (27) = 11e% Even more pressing was a social problem. The middle class believed that the bringing together of the poor in large numbers in areas like London rookeries where there was little or no access by outsiders created a danger of insurrection as well as of immorality and il] health. (25) Housing, public health morality and the maintenance Stedman Jones (27) has described how attempts to improve working class housing and to abate the chances of social unrest took three other main forms - street clearance, model dwellings and the schemes initiated Street clearance was imbued with “almost magical efficacy" but the of the existing social order were inextricably bound together. The government acted albeit against strong public opinion by intro- ducing first the 1844 London Building Act which for the first time imposed restrictions on the way buildings related to each other (minimum street widths, ventilation of habitable rooms) and the Public Health Act, 1845 which laid the foundation for all subsequent housing legislation. (26) result was to exacerbate the overcrowding problem. Private philanthropists elected to build model dwellings for the working class, the aim being to show that good sanitationand adequate working class housing were compatible with a fair return on capital, plus the fact that they believed that “the moral were almost equal to Butas Tarn has pointed out, the combined efforts of commerce, phi lan- thropy and charity while producing a generic housing type still in existence, in terms of quantity "there was hardly enough to make any Local authorities had initiated slum clearance as a last resort since the mid century. The Artisans and Labourers Dwellings Act 1868 gave power to close or demolish insanitary houses, the cost falling to the slum owner. The Ciross Act of 1875 gave compulsory powers, compensation to owners and gave local authorities the power to rebuild and maintain property and to borrow or levy a rate to finance the work. But in first council estate in London. country's full scale council housing programme. quality houses promised to the returning soldiers. = |9 & government housing programme." (31) Education: The Elementary Education Act 1870 formed the basis of the later local 1878, Dr. G.N. Child was arguing that "the evil (of overcrowding) is increasing rather than diminishing, and that no remedy short of inter- Local authorities did intervene and the country's first council estate designed by the City Engineer, was built in Liverpool in 1875. Seven years later the new LCC obtained permission to build in Limehouse the Although the 1890 Housing of the Working Classes Act gave local Councils the power to acquire land and to build; housing did not become a statutory duty until 1919 when the Addison Act launched the By 1915 the lack of houses for rent had become acute. House rents rose steeply and the resulting demonstrations by aggrieved tenants in Glasgow “came near enough to the appearance of revolution at home while the country was at war in Europe to frighten the government into passing the Rent and Mortgage Restriction Act 1915". (30) Rents were now fixed at such a level that private speculators no longer found it economic to rent to the working class. The government concluded that it could no longer look to private enterprise to provide the good The Hunter Commission itself established following working class agita- tion in 1912 recommended in its Report of 1917 that municipal housing should be provided for the working class. The Salisbury Commission urged that housing for the working class must be a duty carried out by local authorities. Both Reports influenced the passing of the 1919 Act, aided according to Enid Gauldie, by Lloyd George "who used the dangers of Bolshevism as a stick to prod the Cabinet into accepting his vention by the state is at all likely to remove the evil” (29) authority system. It established the principle of attendance at ele- mentary schools, created school districts, provided for the election of -13- School Boards by ratepayers and for the maintenance of schools by a compulsory local rate. It was still however intended as a supplement to voluntary schools. (32) Ten years later the 1880 Education Act made elementary school attendance compulsory, and in 1891 fees were abolished and an exchequer grant. provided 10/- for each child in attendance. The ad hoc School Boards lasted for over 30 years until they were abolished by the 1902 Act which transferred their power to the local education authority. In 1918, one year before the Addison Act made it a duty for L.A.'s to provide housing, an Education Act established a system of national education under 330 local authorities as the primary provider of education. All previous Acts were consoli- dated in 1921, legislation made school attendance compulsory to 14, and provided for education up to 17-18 years. The changes in Victorian Society leading up to free education for all and the way people perceived these makes instructive reading. A picture emerges of on the one hand a rapidly industrialising society which required a disciplined and reasonably educated workforce, and on the other of a working population which had to be inculcated with the values and beliefs of a new form of society. And in the end local government were obliged to perform this function, instructed and Prior to the 1870 Act the church undertook the responsibility for edu- cation in the Sunday School Movement. Day schooling followed in 1808 when the British and Foreign School Society was established, and in 1811 by the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church. - controlled by the central state. For their first 20 years teaching centred around the scriptures but by the 1830's the system changed to take account of acute economic and social pressures. More emphasis was put on teaching children about the demarcation between rich and poor and the mutual dependence on each other in an harmonious society. “Contentment in the station of life to which God had assigned them was an important precept". (33) But no industrial nation could have gone forward without a workforce which was literate, disciplined and contented. To aid the voluntary schools in their venture the government provided from 1833 a £30,000 grant for school building. Pressure began to be put by the Radicals for example for state controlled secular education. (34) Schools Boards; their civilizing works". (35) order. (36) =14- tt is a measure of the failure of the voluntary system that in 1893 the Rev. T.W. Sharpe, senior Chief HMI could write of the London “The Education Act (of 1870) was not passed a year too soon; London would have been filled with a savage population in the year 1893 if the 480 schools built by the Board had not done But the 1870 and subsequent Acts were not without opposition. Conser- vatives feared that the opening of the horizons of the working class would lay then open to Radical influences and stimulate them to enter- tain ideas above their station and thus prove subversive to the social Liberals and progressives on the other hand echoing more precisely the needs of the age; believed that a well educated working class was not only an end in itself but also an important means of securing eco- nomic advance and stability. Children learned the habits of “tidiness, punctuality, order, truthfulness" in the Board Schools. Stanley who “We want our lower classes to be educated .... We want them to learn the self respect of citizens to feel their responsibility as voters, to have self restraint, the thoughtfulness, the power of judging and of weighing evidence which should discipline them in the exercise of the great power they now wield by their industrial combirations and through their political action", (37) Headlam of the socialist movement in his election address as a (successful) candidate for the London School Board, argued that it was a fundamental purpose of board school education to make children, “discontented with the evil circumstances which surround them. There are those who say that we are educating our children above their station; that is true; and if you return me | shall do my utmost to get them such knowledge and such discipline as will make them thoroughly discontented". (38) dominated the London School Board Progressives wrote; Departments of Architecture: ment. -15- The local authorities role in securing the reproduction of the labour force and of the social order and the resulting contradictions are aptly summed up in these quotations. It is because of the importance of the ideas expressed in the last quotation that the labour movement have traditionally supported the role of the state in controlling aspects of the economy. In the last resort those services are account able to the public through the democratic system. The pressing social need to build housing and schools on a large scale produced a corresponding need for local authority departments of archi- tecture. Depending on the authority, one or other of these services was the critical factor in their establishment. In the case of the LCC for. example housing provided. the. impetus, although its predecessor, the Metropolitan Board of Works appointed its first chief architect in 1855. The Board was abolished by the 1888 Local Government Act and was replaced by the London County Council, A programme of municipalisation followed supported by the Progressives who wished to municipalise public utilities to run services so that profits subsidised the rates. The Fabians on the other hand wanted to municipalise all trading services and abolish profits. (39) The LCC was instrumental in pressurising the government and pass the 1888 Housing of the Working Classes Act which gave it new powers. It decided to expand the old Metropolitan Board of Works‘ architects’ department to cope with the expansion of housing. According to Service, "They received applications for jobs from a stream of young architects attracted by the social idealism of the work. This was a generation born in the 1860's or later and strongly influenced by the political and social theories of William Morris and Phillip Webb". (40) Following the 1902 Education Act, the ad hoc School Boards were disbanded to come under the local authorities. School design and later Fire stations then came under the jurisdiction of the LCC architects depart- ginated in a number of authorities The Profession: profession. base of the profession. question of styles. (42) - 1622 As far as this and other authorities are concerned, further study is in progress and case studies will be included in the final version of this paper which will describe how and why departments of architechture ori- In the next part of this paper the evaluation of these departments will be related to the cormern with which they were greeted by the architec- tural profession. It appears from the evidence available at this stage that in-house architects in local authorities followed almost automati- cally from the growth in services. Their relatively peaceful beginnings is therefore in sharp contrast to the controversy with which they have been surrounded ever since, especially in the private sector dominated During the period of social turmoil in the second half of the 19th century the architectural profession was pre-occupied with its own concerns. Jenkins (41) has described how patrons of architecture changed from wealthy individuals to commercial and then public bodies following changes. in the economy as capitalism developed. The scope of architectural practice was extremely wide but architects were em- ployed on only some 10% of new building work, Contracting methods were transformed with the advent of the general contractor, with con- sequent effects on the role of the architect. The changing economy not only affected the practice of architecture but also the knowledge The concern of the architect was thus almost wholly directed towards two questions; firstly architects were anxious to establish and main- tain the profession's reputation in the public eye by attempting to guarantee integrity and competence through professional association, formal education and statutory registration. Secondly there was the While it is outside the scope of the present paper to consider this in detail, these two aSpects were closely linked to the development of capitalism. This is not only in relation to competition from builders Benjamin, too, argued that in the 19th century, forced to make novelty its highest value", (44) depended on service not individualised styles. in the profession as a whole. lasyrt rat = yy = ae and surveyors and the need to establish professional status, but is con- cerned with the position of the professional as a mediator of knowledge in capitalism. Secondly as Joanna Clelland question of styles was linked to the development of knowledge as another commodity. She argues that in the Renaissance, knowledge produced by the scientist or artist was believed to be part of the growth in universal knowledge, that is, it was collective. By the 19th century knowledge had become individualised. Individual knowledge differentiated one architect from another and was sold: as.a personal style - as a commodity to the client in competition with the personal styles of other architects. Thus the individualism engendered by capitalism was of particular importance to the private architect. It became his or her source.of livelihood. Public architects however were in a different position. Thier livelihood vidualism is one part of the reason why public practice is designated ° (43) has pointed out the "Art which begins to have doubts about its function is It will be suggested in the following section that this question of indi- PUBLIC V. PRIVATE PRACTICE: The 1950 RIBA Committee on the Future of 81% of students answering their questionnaire declared a preference for private practice. The question as to why the schools of architecture one. It might be expected for example conscious profession would support and and the profession submits to a private practice for the poor and the local authority Local authority departments of architecture distinct from exchange. That is to say they do not design buildings which become commodities or sources of profit. Dele Gevle fe public « While there are many inadequate (and some of the reasons for this will be considered briefly in the next section), the same is also practice in lalio 9 s Private Practice, found that ideology is an intriguing that a liberal and socially- foster the idea of welfare provision departments which serviced that. design buildings for use as buildings designed by publie true of private practice. Yet Derk mye privy 18. contrast to prevailing ideas about private practice, there is a tendency to generalise and to arrive at a position where it is imagined that local authority work is inherently bad. But many examples of local | authority architecture praised by the public and the profession alike exist. They range from early L.C.C. housing estates to post war work in the L.C.C., Coventry, Herts County and many others. Why then are the progressive authorities ignored when the image of local authorities is being assembled? ' /OVINS . To some extent this phenomenon may be explained by the potential economic threat which the public sector poses to the private. More importantly = it is ‘Suggested that it is precisely because L.A. architects Jo design Burylobs for use that they are denigrated, and why certain buildings are thought to be a suitable medium for personal architectual expression and others are not. Moreover, public practice itself is similarly for use and not for profit. ‘It thus exists as an alternative and opposing method of practising architecture. That is to say, public service and public practice create an ideological problem. Commentaries on 20th Century architecture are replete with evidence of the view that public architecture at best is a matter of inspecting and cheking the work of others. (45) Private araerice was presented as a much more attractive proposition although at least in the eyes of Lethaby in the 19th Century the method of securing commissions was less than satisfactory. "At present individual architects are at the mercy of vulgar incidents, such as having a flow of dinner talk or being in with a business syndicate or knowing a Lord.'' (46) Even though the public architect did not have to face these indignities, as Summerson has pointed out, in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, "All the glory and much of the profit is associated with the private practitioners."' (47) Neither thirty years of well designed buildings by the School Boards, ten years of new schools by the local authorities, nor the passing of the 1919 Housing Act as a far reaching piece of social legislation, altered the L.A. image. In the 1920's as Summerson again notes,- "Salaried employment -. except as a mere transition to independence was in 1925 a proposition that attracted few and was entertained by the unambitious and the not very talented. Employment in the staff of a local authority .... was sought only by those to whom the pay envelope was a very much more urgent consideration than opportunities for the creation of architecture.'' (48) Thus by the early 1920's ideas which have continued to this day were firmly established. In some quarters however, during the mid 1930's public architecture had begun to stand for the progressive movement. Amongst politically conscious students it was regarded as the architecture of the future. This point of view was championed by the Association of Architects, Surveyors and Technical Assistants (later to become the Association of Building Technicians). The reputation of the L.C.C. and other ‘progressive authorities after the war was due in large measure to the influence of these architects. The reason why this situation has not continued will be examined briefly in the next section. The RIBA still regarded public architecture as disreputable. In 1935 they appointed a special committee on official Architecture. It should be noted that 19. by this time some 20% of registered architects worked in the public sector, but more important, it was becoming Among the committee's recommendations buildings should be given to private practice. ' than one who is cumbered about with much serving.'' (49) 17.4% of architectural posts were unfilled. of the expansion of the public sector. circumstances. (51) a major patron of architecture. was the suggestion that important 20. "dn important municipal buildings, the design should be entrusted to a practising architect in preference to the official man, because where a new building of civic importance is required or where there is scope for fresh ideas of design leading to an advance in architectural planning the outside architect is more likely to be successful and to contribute to such an advance Bowen (50) in his survey of the architectural profession in 1953, found that there was only a small minority of architects who actively supported the advantage of public employment. In support of this the Mallaby Committee on local government staffing reported that in 1966 Ideas and views denigrating the public architect can be traced through to late 1977,even although the RIBA in 1976 pronounced an embargo on public bickering between the public and private sectors, which they said contravened the Code of Conduct. Equally however, public patronage was becoming more and more significant. Following the labour government's expansion of Council house building and schools after the second world war and their severe curtailment of all private building by means of licensing the RIBA setup a committee .... "to consider the Present-.and Future of Private Architectural Practice'' which reported in 1950. Their report, while stressing that it did not regard private and public practice as being mutually antagonistic, significantly in view of its title, presented in fact a detailed analysis They found that although there had been a decrease in private practice employment of around 16% between 1938 and 1949 and a corresponding increase of 20% in Central Government and 18% in Local Governments staffing, that 57% of practices were expanding and a further third reported no change in exchange versus usefulness. in 1952 argued ; main objective."' (52) 21. Furthermore, nearly 20 years later in 1967 the National Board for Prices and Incomes, reported that only 22% of new work was done by the public sector, compared to 54% by private practice. In addition 45% of all public sector work was carried out by private practice. By 1974 however, the Monopolies Commission Report indicated that private practice's share of all building work had fallen to 29%. The public sector undoubtedly does present a potential economic threat to private practice and is perceived to do so, in that studies into the state of private practice and the profession have always taken place in times of curtailment. Nevertheless this does not fully explain the persistence of their concerns, particularly in the first half of the century. What it does suggest is that the major threat posed by public practice and indeed by the local authority services themselves, stem from its opposition to the dominant image which society has of itself as a private and individualistic social arrangement. Eventual ly it will be said these ideas become incorporated in the concept of Gibson et al in their Guest Editor series in the Architects Journal ' Because the public office grew up during a period when private enterprise was the dominant motive in society, it came to be regarded as the haven for the lame duck, the quiet back water where risk and adventure were at a discount and security the Private enterprise is still the dominant motive in society although other conditions have changed so that their supporting ideas have altered as necessary to fit new situations. The relationship between public and private offices however, may be regarded not merely as a result of economic forces but as part of an overall pattern of how cultural relation- ships are established and reproduced. These relationships that is, which are necessary for the perpetuation of the existing social arrangements, must be reproduced if a dominant class is to be reproduced. In order to do this, the society produces ideas which further the interests of the dominant class and which are represented as the only rational and universally valid ones. Furthermore, these ideas, or ideology must have a sufficient degree of effectiveness in rendering social reality intelligible if they are to gain widespread support. Mephan (53) has maintained that idealogy arises from the opacity of reality and that the appearances of things conceal those real relations which themselves produce the appearances. In addition, ideological categories must be inter-dependent and mutually support. They must form a homogeneous matrix which supports the existing social relations. Any departure from these by new.forms of organisation based on different principles for example, will disrupt the homogeniety of the matrix and will be perceived as a threat to its continuing existence. This it will be said is the case with public practice. — Cf. Gen . at Dateae wieetin These ideas, attitudes and intentions form a dominant culture. The - most important of these ideas, according to Raymond Williams (54) is a belief in individualism. It stems from the concept of private ownership. It is suggested the potential opposition between the rights of the individual stemming from individualism and the limiting of private ownership, is resolved by the introduction of a further concept - that of the idea of permanent scarcity, associated with success through individual merit achieved in competition with other individuals. It may be noted that private practice itself is based on these principles and this supports the ideas of the dominant culture. In addition, if the status and livlihood of the private practitioner is dependent on individualised knowledge sold as a commodity, then it is especially likely that individualism will be strongly supported in the architectural profession. For that reason any alternative and oppositional forms which are not based on private practice will appear as a threat, not only to the dominant culture but to the basis of private practice and the profession. While the dominant culture may be 'natural' in our society,in order to perpetuate itself, society also requires that the working class, with its own and potentially oppositional culture, is also reproduced. This culture will include ideas generated by the social conditions of the class and which further a more beneficial arrangement for that class. 22. The different basis of the two cultures is described by Raymond Williams, "Bourgeois culture - is the basic individualist idea and the institutions, manners and habits of thought and intentions which proceed from that. .... Working class culture is not proletarian art ... or a particular use of language, it is rather the basic collective idea, and the institutions manners and habits of thought and intentions which proceed from it. ' (55) It is therefore argued that it is the idea-of collectivity which is the major threat to the dominant culture. Thus, while it is not suggested that the state in any way stems from working class culture, local government is collective in the sense that decisions are made collectively by committees answerable to the public. Public Architects service elected representatives and not individual or corporate private organisations. A further difficulty for local government relates to the English concept of democracy. As Raymond Williams has pointed out, just because democracy in England grew slowly by gradual constitutional amendment the perception of equal rights embodied in democracy is effectively neutralised. He suggests that the idea of economic individual ism creates a more“decisive social image than democratic equality. Active —_— en processes of popular decision ‘such as committees or juries are not recognised as symbols of equality and are more likely to be regarded as inferior to decision making by individuals. Furthermore, the activities of production and trading are increasingly seen as the essential purposes of society in terms of which all other activities must be judged. Instead of society being regarded as a social order, it is more readily thought of as a market. Eventually, Williams suggests, this gave way to an image whereby the organisation of society itself was thought of as a market organisation. Such ideas are continually nourished by the forms of everyday life, where for example, the exchange between capital and labour presents itself to the observer as being of exactly the same kind as the buying and selling of other commodities. 23. The: purchaser gives a certain sum of money and the seller supplies an article which is of a different kind from money. Debord (56) has argued that as the economy developed, the exchange value of a commodity which originally was a function of use value (or degree of usefulness) came to dominate use value so that use value was dictated by exchange. The use value of an object becomes less and less important compared to the exchange value so that eventually a use value must be invented as a justification for exchange value. Adam Smith also made this point; "The things which have the greates value in use have frequently little or no value in exchange; and on the contrary, those which have the greatest value in exchange have little or no value in use.'' (57) If the ideas in society are to sustain this arrangement the evaluation lee of an article or service must be in inverse proportion to its use value. shuyle Thus council services and buildings which are based on use, the use being reproduction, are not only likely to be ranked low, but also to be denigrated because they are in opposition to the dominant ideas of exchange. Private practice is based on the principles of exchange, public practice is based on use, both in the form of tts service, in the nature of the buildings it designs, and in its internal office arrangements. The internal arrangements are also based on different principles to those which obtain in the private sector. In the latter there is an owner, the principal, whose own income, plus the income to service the office, is generated by the surplus produced by the staff. Definite social relations exist between principal and staff resulting from their connections within the process of production. These social relations mustcontinue if private practice is to continue as it is - on the one hand the owner on the other hand the architectural staff who sell their skills as their source of livlihood. These social relations are concealed or blurred in various ways in order thattheymaybeperpetuated.Thisilsikelytobeespeciallythecase where owners and workers share the same skills and the same professional ideology. 24. In the case of the local authority office the situation is different and more complex. The owner to whom the architectural workers sell their skills is the local authority which is a collective owner. The local authofity does not buy these skills to extract a direct surplus, but to achieve a use. The use is the design of buildings which are themselves for social use. Within the office there is no owner. The chief architect does not extract a surplus so that the social relations existing between him and his staff are different to the equivalent private sector situations. It may be speculated that because of this the public office principal will adopt different forms of social control out of necessity. The occasional authoritarian and arbitary nature of this control may be thought of as a result of this. That is to say in the private sector it is in the principal's interest to appear as similar as possible to his or her staff in terms of status, because the issue of control is established. In the public sector on the other hand, it will be necessary for the chief architect to differentiate his status from that of the rest of the staff in order to achieve control. Finally, the nature of public accountability is different in public and private offices. In the latter, accountability to and control by society is achieved through the market and by means of the ARCUK Code of Conduct. The public architect on the other hand, while also being controlled by ARCUK, is accountable to the public via the local government democratic system. In summary it may be said that public practice exists as an oppositional form to the dominant culture,to private practice and to the professional ideology. It is for this reason that public practice has been so consistently vilified. In terms of office structuring, changes in the forms of control are possible in the public sector because the arrangement does not depend on it. This is not the case in private practice where any change to the social relations between principal and staff would mean the abolition of private practice as it exists. — \ Ww 25. ado \. yw PUBLIC PRACTICE - NOTES ON STRUCTURE: A detailed analysis of the structure of public practice in relation to local government as a whole remains to be completed as part of a further study. Central government, fjnance and control over resources will also au_ t form part of a later paper. At this stage it may be noted that all of these have been covered in some depth by others, particularly by the The following brief review has been confined to two aspects of the structure. Firstly the issue of function based design teams and secondly the question of the internal hierarchy. It will be suggested that these two as they exist are major factors in preventing contact between architect and user. Furthermore they may readily be changed to the advantage of both. It was argued earlier that the role of local government is to ensure the maintenance and reproduction of the labour force by providing schools, housing and other services. Local government also attempts to secure the reproduction of the existing social relations, the most important being that labour stays in the same relationship to capital, i.e. the reproduction of the classes. Although these two aspects of the local government role are indivisible, if they are regarded separately it will be seen that the barriers described by Malpass (58), which exist between architect and user,do not result from the first - the provision of services. The barriers are rather the result of the need for local government to ensure that all-.aspects of the social relations are maintained intact. Thus, if in our society which is based on individual achievement through competition with other individuals,.housing came to be regarded as the public's right, this would conflict with the basis of the society. One or another must be eroded, But both the provision and society's image of itself are necessary if the social order is to be maintained. It is suggested therefore that to overcome this problem conditions have arisen which effectively place 'boundaries'' around the provision so that they fail to appear as a right, nor are they easily accessible. Furthermore although local government is a collective institution local government provision is allocated individually. The collective becomes individualised at the point of 26. CommunityDevelopmentProjects. A IbrooCode oy -frov~ Cnseli reproduction, thereby neutralising the collective content of the service. - "Thus the Welfare State is not just a set of services, it is also a set of ideas about society, about the family and - not least important about Women.'' (59). Two of the boundaries which insulate producer from consumer in the architects departments are function based teams and office hierarchies. Central government dictates which services the local authorities should administer and provides grants of various kinds for this purpose. The local authority council delegates the running of these services to various committees - housing,education etc. That is, committees which are function based. These committees of elected members are serviced by technical departments staffed by full time officers. In the case of a 'spending' committee these departments will-act as client to the architects department. Architects departments thus service various committees via the relevant technical department and are responsible to that committee for the service which they provide. They are also responsible to a ''parent'' committee for staffing, etc. This is often the Planning and Development Committee. (Planning engineering and valuation also often came under this committee). This division by function is generally followed in the architects departments where there are separate sections or groups dealing with housing or schools, etc. The job architect consequently will be responsible for projects in different parts of the local authority area rather in the way that a private consulting architect is. In this way the professional ideology of individual architects expressing themselves in their own job is sustained. In addition, architects deal with and become expert in functional issues, i.|e.g. housing or schools. Their experience will therefore be limited, and they must either transfer or leave to extend it. Furthermore as Bennington (60)has pointed out, there are contradictions in the function based committee structure. The councillor is elected to serve the interests of a small geographical area. But once elected the councillor oD vay pater MO" . 27. is appointed to serve on a series of committees which are organised not around any of these interests but around service committees. These committees are concerned with the provision of city wide services. So that the city is treated as a uniform whole. Sectional interests whether of wards or of classes of people are subordinated to those of the general population. Thus, because the service does not relate to a political area, it does not relate to 'people' but to an abstract idea. This is equally the case as far as officers are concerned. The concept | of the a-political officer paid to solve technical problems is thus reinforced, In addition the arrangement of function based client departments and committees creates a 'logical' method of liaison - architect - client officer - client committee. It is 'illogical' to break this circle to relate-to either area councillors or local residents. Job architects already face a wide variety of constraints as Malpass has shown and they may feel reluctant to add to their difficulties by adding yet another hurdle in the path of their project. I The public also have difficulty in crossing this organisational boundary which tends to make them vulnerable to official action while making officers immune to the consequence of that action (61). It is suggested that an architectural team, based on political areas will create the potential for those organisational boundaries to be broken. (This is to be argued in detail in another paper prepared for this conference). Briefly however, the team based on areas will give the team members the opportunity of working in different types of projects. The architect will therefore deal with as many function based committees as require work in a particular area. The architect will relate not to an abstract function, but to an area, to ward councillors and to local residents and users. 28. HEERARCHY: According to Gibson et al (62), the present vertical structuring of local authority departments of architecture in the late 19th century. That is, were comprised of one principal and a small number of apprentices. Giles Gilbert Scott for example who had one 25 apprentices. of the largest practices, had status depends on design indeterminacy, not numbers of staff. stemmed from private practice from a time when private practices 29. The concept of one individual architect also relates back to architectural knowledge as a commodity and to owner and workers, both of which are in accordance with the dominant ideology. As private practices grew so did the number of partners, each being equally responsible in law. (A common ratio in large private practices is one partner to seventeen staff). In public practice however the concept of one chief wholly responsible to the client remained. Webb (63) has shown how various intermediary grades were introduced and while his argument leaves room for doubt, he has graphically illustrated the position. As the ratio of chief architect to architectural workers rise to 1:100 and over, problems of control must necessarily arise. The obvious solution and the one adopted throughout public practise is to create intermediate levels whose function is to control. Following Jamous and Pelloile's argument therefore, it may be said that the job architect's status and position depends on his or her indeterminacy, that is to say, on that indeterminate architectural knowledge which cannot be codified. The intermediate functionary however, as Webb and others have shown, do no design work. Their status depends on another form of indeterminacy based on procedural and managerial matters. If they are to succeed in this role they must necessarily increase the ratio of procedural over design indeterminacy. It is suggested that this is achieved by increasing the number of workers to whom they relate. They thus depart from the professional model where The job architect relates upwards to these levels, who while blocking access to the chief architect and to the committees, control not only discipline but also design work in the department. They form a further 'boundary' between job architect and committee in an administrative arrangement which has already been described as circular. those and architectural staff. for further boundary reduction becomes feasible. Lsula Ax warpil, 30. In private practice the situation is different. Only one level and sometimes not that separates job architect also drew attention to this. -They suggested that there should be only one level between architectural worker that level should have 'partner' status with the chief. (64) In effect they were arguing for several chief architects, each directly responsible to the client for work suggested that a ratio of 1:10 should While this suggestion also will be discussed in more detail in another paper at the conference, it can be pointed out that the effect of these proposals would be to reduce boundaries between architectural worker and user. Seen in conjunction with area based teams the possibility and partner. Gibson et al and chief architect and that carried out. Further more they be the maximum between each of REFERENCES: (1) (S$. Webb "Architecture Alienation and the Omnipotent Adminman'' AJ 19.10.77 p.751 "The Local State"! Estimated Employment Distribution of Architects 1964 - 1977 Survey of the Architectural Profession AJ 15.10.53 "Report of the Committee to Consider the Present and Future of Private Architectural Practice!’ 1950 "Architects Services - A Report on the Supply of Architects Services with Reference to Scale Fees'' p.12 "Building by Local Authorities'' "Whatever Happened to Council Housing'' op cit op cit ibid "Architects Costs and Fees'! National Board for Prices and Incomes 1968 Guest Editor Series AJ 14.2.52 p.207 opcit p.137 (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) also ( C. Cockburn ( RIBA also ( ( 1. Bowen RIBA The Monopolies and Mergers Commission E. Layton C.D.P. E. Layton RIBA RIBA HMSO ( (11) (12). Layton (13) Institution for Gibson et al Proceedings of Housing and Town Planning Municipal Engineers Conference West Bromwich 191] p.3 (14) Institution for Municipal Engineers (15) J. Summerson (16) L. Althusser (17) Marx (18) J. Mepham (19) J. Clarke AJ Editorial 22.1.53 p.119 "Georgian London" "Lenin and Philosophy and other Essays’! "Capital Vol. 1' p.635 "Theory of Ideology in Capital''in Radical Philosophy I] "History of Local Government in the United Kingdont' REFERENCES: (Cont'd) (20) M. Bruce and E. Hobsbawm (21) J. Harris (22) L. Hill (23) J. Clarke (24) J. Tarn (25) G. Stedman Jones (26) J. Tarn (27) G. Stedman Jones (28) J. Tarn (29) D. Rubenstein (30) E. Gauldie (31) E. Gauldie (32) J.Clarke (33) P. McCann (Ed) - (34) =P. McCann (35) P. McCann (36) P. McCann (37) P. McCann (38) P. McCann (39) Gibbon & Bel] (40) A Servi ce (41) F. Jenkins (42) Barrington Kaye (43) J. Clelland (44) W. Benjamin "The Coming of the Welfare State" "Labouring Men"! "British Government Inspection'' p.12 "The Local Government Officer’ pp.13-15 op cit "Working Class Housing in the 19th Century' p.51 "Outcast London"! p.52 op cit p.4 op cit p. 179 op cit p. 16 "Victorian Homes'' p.188 "Cruel Habitations' p.308 ibid p.307 op cit p.37 "Popular Education and Socialisation in the 19th Century" p.93 ‘ibid p.101 ibid - cited by Rubinstein p.255 ibid p.240 ibid p.242 ibid p.243 "History of the LCC, 1889-1939"! "Edwardian Architecture and its Origins'' p.407 "Architect and Patron!! "The Development of the Architectural Profession in Britain" In conversation May 1978 "Paris - Capital of the 19th Century" From Charles Baudelaire - A lyric poet in the Era of High Capitalism p.172 REFERENCES: (Cont'd) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (55) (56) (57) (58) e.g. Barrington Kaye op cit F. Jenkins is Summerson Barrington Kaye Barrington Kaye Bowen RIBA Gibson etal J. Mepham - Williams . Williams - Debord - Smith . Malpass op cit - citing Lethaby "The London Building World of the 1860's p.21 op cit - p.234 - citing Summerson ibid p.166 AJ 10.12.53 p.714 "Report of the Committee to Consider the Present and Future of Private Architectural Practice" AJ Guest Editor Series 13.3.52 p.327 "The Theory of Ideology in Capital" from Radical Philosophy 2 "Culture and Society'' also "The Long Revolution'! ibid "Society of the Spectacle'! "Wealth of Nations! "Architects Professionalism and Local Authority Housing" p.75 "Women and the Welfare State!’ p.9 "Local Government becomes Big Business'' p.13 (CDP) (59) (60) (61) (62) (63) (64) Gibson et al - Wilson J. Bennington a Malpass Gibson et al S. Webb ibid op cit op cit op cit ) oh, * low pou pS 1 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource NAM PDS Group (John Murray) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Allan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 06 May 1978 https://nam.maydayrooms.org/files/original/b17e9882fc785f1a53cd1bd0b18b7d1f.pdf a6b3f14148108b20c6fffb32ef552b73 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Brian Anson/ARC pre and post Harrogate Subject The topic of the resource Various documents describing ARC ideas and activities See below Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource ARC Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1975-1976 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Red House Issue No 1 Subject The topic of the resource Monthly magazine of Architects Revolutionary Council Description An account of the resource RD, THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE ARCHITECTS REVOLUTIONARY < = a (UTA Perhaps most contemptible of all the RIBA has killed the idealism of architect- ural youth by its stranglehold on education. The students are herded like so many cattle into an ever-narrowing architectural conveyor belt of the future modelled on the values of management and big business. We believe that there isindeed acrisisin architecture but one far deeper than that about which McEwen writes, Itisa spiritual, a moral crisis and the answer cannot be found within the usual narrow confines of right versus left. Nor has the RIBA any wish to tackle that crisis as its very position depends on preserving the status quo. Only byavoiding the real social p sur i i can the RIBA retain its monopoly; retain its fee scale which puts our profession out of the reach of most people and keep its stranglehold on education and thus the future of architecture. Thousands of our colleagues in the profession ‘live on their knees’ doing work which they despise; work that kills. The second-class citizens of hi the hnici do the same destructive work, and the ' students are manipulated by the dictators of Portland Place. In ‘Wasteland. The building of the American Dream’, architect Stephen Kurtz says: “As long as the primary form of getting what one needs is begging, cajoling, or persuading, for so long is the childish status preserved... Only the revolutionary transcends and escapes the tragic dilemma. Ina terrifying (even to himself) and ultimate defiance of authority, he gives up hope of seome day receiving what he has always been denied and decides, either alone or with others, to provide for himself. In this way then revolutionaries are this world’s only adults..”” RED HOUSE isacall to al such reyo- lutionary architects, Let us come together to create an architecture of life, and over- throw the profession that kills, Of what do we have to be proud being architects? WhentheRIBAjoinswithothersin ripping the heart out of aneighbourhood against the wishes of its inhabitants it isa killer no matter what fancy words it may use to justify its actions. When, inleague with bureaucrats, it brutalises people’s t lives through the design of certain types , of local authority housing, it kills ki people’s sensitivity. When it ignores the, i still vast, twilight areas of our country } because there is no money nor commis- { sions in them, then it is a destroyer, by Hy default, of the hopes of the inhabitants | that they will ever have a decent environ- { ment. And when such areas are ‘dis- i covered’ by the professional ‘gentrifiers’ the RIBA is a destroyer because it allows its members to plunder such areas and drive out the inhabitants. RIBATE NEWS FROM No. 66 The squeals of protest emitting from Portland Place in the face of the Monopolies Commision’s investigation are truly sickening to the stomach. The Royal Institute of Boss Architect’s whining defense of its price fixing and closed-shop operations isthat “The introduction of price bargaining... would concentrate attention on price rather than the qualitative aspects of the service”, What else has the RIBA stood for over the last ten decades but architecture as a business, stripped of any ethical or social responsibility? What “qualitative aspects’ of the service did the people of Covent Garden, Ealing, Dockland or a thousand other communities over the country get from their RIBA sponsored oppressors? How is it possible for the RIBA to descend any lower into cynical commercialism? “To identify and analyse the client’s needs” says the RIBA, “‘an architect must build upa close relationship with his client”. Yes, agreed! Private partners colluding and conspiring with speculators and the scum of society, principals in public authorities locked in secret, if not corrupt, intrigue with bureaucrat elites against the people. This close relation- ship would be “subjected to intolerable pressures as the parties sought to safe- guard their own interests” if fee bargain- ing was allowed squeal the RIBA. But how could they safeguard their “interests” of profit and power any more than at present? Then comes the bare- faced, hypocritical appeal to ‘the wider public interests” which the RIBA is at present supposed to “reconcile” with those of the client. Who the hell are they trying to kid with these pious, hollow, two-faced sentiments? This is the same RIBA which has been run by (openly or indirectly) those very environmental criminals who have ground their money grasping or politically sycophantic developments into the faces of “the public”. The RIBA plea that fee bargaining would increasebuildingcostsislittlemorethan blackmail. If the monopolies commission smashes the price fixing, RIBA members will cut down on their design services resulting in more maintainance costs. But lousy design service is rife under the present system. Talk about “quality of service” to al those tower block ghetto dwellers, to al those people who have had their lives and environments ripped apart and replaced by hideous tracks of mind- less “functionalist” dogma — al by RIBA members of course. The whole fee scale debate is irrelevant unless you look on the 6% fix as sacred. Who cares whether an architect charges tuppence or 90% for his services. Dedicated and committed architects are prepared to work for nothing for the Join the RIBA brutalise our environment and mar the and Kill There are many ways in which to kill and there is more than one way to die. *...We were as men who through a fen of filthy darkness grope... something was dead in each of us and what was dead was hope...” wrote Oscar Wilde in his “Ballad of Reading Gaol’. The spirit can be killed as can faith; it is possible to kil trust and destroy dreams. All those who conspire to subyert the struggle for freedom are potential killers for, should they succeed, they destroy more than the body; they wipe out the vision of a better future. To the sensitive nature physical death is not always the worst prospect as the Spanish Republicans proclaimed through their slogan, ‘It is better to die on your feet than to liye on your knees’. The struggle for freedom is universal and to be found in al walks of life Architecture is no exception. The community movements struggling against oppressive architecture schemes were, in a very real sense, waging a freedom fight to defend their homes, their land, their culture. One freedom fighter dies by a bullet, another succumbs to weariness, to hopelessness in the unending struggle against a power system which holds al the cards; the bureaucrats, the politicians, the planners and THE ARCHITECTS. Even as we write this journal we mourn thedeathofSamDriscoll,ayoungman of 65 who, for seven years, struggled valiantly in his home community of Covent Garden against oppressive archi- tectural schemes. Some might say it was the developers’ greed, the machinations of politicans and bureaucrats against which Sam Driscoll struggled and which, in the end, broke him, but how can our own profession be absolved? We indict the RIBA for complicity in his death. The RIBA is the official voice of archi- tecture in Britain; governments seek its advice, the media pays special attention to its views on environmental matters, it controls education in the profession. Yet al the time it is in league with those who lives of that 80% of our society which has no economic control over its physical environment. During the speculation boom, the RIBA, when it could have offered support to the many millions of people who were powerless, instead threw the weight ot its authority behind the environmental rapists. Many of its top members who control the profession made fortunes out of the-brutalising of our country. Now in a recession they scuttle like rats from a sinking ship to the money- wells of the OPEC countries. For such reasons many architects, and particularly the students, have come to despise the RIBA and some of us have grown to even hate it, as we hate al traitors to a noble cause. For architecture could be a cause for great good in our society. In an urbanised country such as ours it is nothing less than the physical backcloth against which we live out our lives. Though society is far from ideal, were we doctors we would at least be thankful that good health was no longer denied people because they were poor. Were we labourers we would be glad that no. longer did we have to wait each day at the gates of the dock, the factory and the mill for a decent days work. The right to health, the right to work, these were moral and noble causes; and so the architectural issue is a moral one. The tight of people to a decent environment and to feel secure in their home, no matter what their station in life. Some might plead that the profession has nocontroloversuchissues,thatitmust work within the socio-economic system of the time; that is to abide by the rules of big-business, monopoly capital and State bureaucracy. But did the small group of doctors who initiated the Health Service have control, or the workers who struggled for union- isation? They acted because the way in which they were forced to practise their craft was based on a fundamental in- justice. There has always been more than enough environmental injustice in this country to give the RIBA ample scope to show which side it is on; the privileged and powerful minority which controls the construction of our environment, or the communities and individuals so frequently oppressed by it. ments foisted on people, by the developers, 7 and b of the last two decades. The members of the group knew that the RIBA, having always preserved architecture as a luxury profession, could not possibly adhere or respond to society as a whole. It had perfected a practice and education system geared specifically to the rich and powerful and could not even begin to late any other clientel In terms of strategy, the ARC knew that, unless there was a more popular (albeit, less radical) movement of designers committed primarily to change within architecture, then there could be no revolution, merely reactive reforms. Throughout 1974-75, ARC built up a larger group of sympathetic followers, who responded to the cal for radical change. Synonymous with this the London based core were working on community architecture. In the West London Borough of Ealing, ARC members were working closely with the local people, whose whole way of life was directly threatened, through the oppres- sive designs of architects and planners within the mainstream of the profession. The congress ended with a small nominated body mandated to begin the process of expansion through further conferences and seminars. The New Architecture Movement and ARC former- ly split, to pursue their action early in 1976, each gaining token support and confidence from the others’ activity. At this time ARC regrouped as a body. Some people who had been members, joined NAM and vice versa; others, having long contemplated the ARC’s activity, realized its serious and committeed approach to architecture and joined the group. The strategy for the next phase of ARC’s campaign was evolved, part of that strategy was the production of ‘Redhouse’ as the radical broadsheet of our group. The ARC, through its many talks, designs, writings and publications, over the past three years, has begun the process of identifying the dimensions architecture has criminally ignored for so long — the primary dimensions of culture, affinity, self respect, dignity and community in the lives of the people we design with. It has attempted to work in meaningful and realistic ways with the people who live and work in buildings we design. It has received no encouragement for its activity from the institute that purports to represent architecture. The major reason being that ARC’s motivation is people notprofit,community notcommerce. The ARChas no illusions, the RIBA and the architects who financially and spiritually support it are our enemy. Architecture has no need of this old boys’ network that has colluded in the bastard- isation and destruction of the towns and cities of this country. The Architects Revolutionary Council will, through its work, philosophy and commitment, and through the pages of *Redhouse’, rupture, dismantle and expose Britain’s most archaic organization and its members, in the name of a people’s architecture. IF [FRIME DOESAT PRY...LUHERE DI ARCHITELTS GET ALL THEIA MaOney7 Early Campaign’s poster In the spring and summer of 1975, the major campaign aimed at spreading a radical affinity with ARC, achieved great Success; so much so that ARC was confident that it could organize its projected Autumn Congress to create the solid radical base within the profession specific courses of Continued page 6 ARCheology ARCHITECTS REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL Since its formation in 1973, the Architects Revolutionary Council has been the only truly radical voice within the architectural profession; the only group whichutterly refutes any claims that architecture at Present isasocially responsible discipline. ARC developed out of many community struggles, against the inhuman environ- A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE which itknew must exist before any change could occur in the future direction of architecture. The New Architecture Movement Congress was held inHarrogate in November 1975. The people who attended that congress came from al areas of the profession, technicians, students, planners, graduate andpracti- cing architects, each united in the urge to seek a more social and just base for architecture. it htectute “\ If only the architectural profession as a whole could operate in the manner in which ARC has done in Ealing then, we believe, our towns and cities would be better places in which to live. We consider itisshocking that ARC has to struggle not only against the financial and bureaucratic interests which control and lay waste our environment but also against its own professional body, the RIBA, which seems more intent on preserving tradi- tional privileges than in backing ARC's fight for community architecture..."" Sybil McRobie, Ealing Alliance Group Ealing Town Centre Introductory note What follows is a brief record of ARC’s involvement in the planning affairs of the London Borough of Ealing over the past year. The conclusions are the important part of this very encapsulated history of a year’s action. We in ARC have no desire to fool either ourselves or our readers with false claims of success. We are more interested in our failures at community level, for only by understanding these can we move closer to that revolutionary situation in which a true community architecture can arise. The first time we spoke to the fEaling at a public meeting we n defeating this plan we may go some way to making our kind of action unnecessary; we may succeed in letting governments know that they cannot rail- road their plans through, irrespective of the wishes of indigenous communities. If our colleagues in the architecture and planning professions had any morality, none of us need be in this room tonight. We feel a specific responsibility because these plans were done in our name, in the name of our art. That makes us angry and that is why we are architectural revolutionaries...” The Problem (Therewilbeadetailedhistoryof planning in Ealing in future issues). In 1968 the town council presented its plan for the central area, in conjunction with developers Grovenor EMI —our old friends from Covent Garden and else- where —and architects HALPERN ASSOCIATES. Itwasoneoftheworst examples of the sort of profit-orientated development that communities al over the country have been fighting against for the past decade. A massive road plan that would tear a great hole through the town centre; agreat covered shopping mall suitable for only the multiple stores ARC iscalled in In April 1975 we were asked to help. The request came not from the communities directly affected, but from representatives of other associations on the fringe of the area, ARC was then building up its National campaign and had turned away from local action. We agreed to spend only a specific amount of time, and to prepare alternatives for the vacant sites as ‘ammunition’ only (ultimately the plans must arise from the people) to help them organise a local action group and to arrange apublic meeting. We surveyed the area, we found out the facts and through numerous small meetings tested the ‘spirit’ of the local people. For strategic reasons we designed the latern- ative quite oblivious to the people; our plan was not the ultimate answer but it was a means of getting a response from the people. Our central concept was a medium sized town square, very under- designed so that the people could use it in Covent Garden, Bootle, Donegal and other places). But we are professionals doing this for nothing so we are limited. Given a fraction of the resources the enemy has (the local council, the establishment of this country), we could blow this plan to kingdomcome in a week. But we have no resources except you, the people. Ultimately the struggle isnot about rationality, Ultimately it’sabout power. There are only two kinds of power; money and people. The enemy has al the money (our money), we have the people. You and those you collect must constitute our power. The enemy has already decimated the community in the central area, so we must reinforce it. without such unity you don’t stand a snowballs chance in hell...” “Whatever one may think of ARC's revolutionary rhetoric, this sort of exercise and advice by professionals experienced in community action is desperately needed by those commun- ities still under the threat of large-scale developments. The humanity and obvious quality of ARC’s alternative approach, involving rehab and infill, and preserving the scale of the old residential area, won the meeting over and gave it new hope that such an alternative was not only feasible but quicker, cheaper and better than the council’s plan. Planning with the people We set out to demystify the planning and design process by proving that the elementary firstconcepts ofaplanning scheme could better come from them (the people) than from the so-called ‘experts’ of the local authority. We held meetings in ARC’s studio where we began tentative- ly to design together. Our varied projects for the core area were based on small scale spaces, on the traditional concept of streets; on flexibility and extensive rehabilitation. In the situation which we have today, where truly there are no real experts in urban design, it is logical to avoid large scale design projects, if only because the mistakes which are inevitably made can more easily be rectified. One of our schemes was costed and was found to be not only cheaper and quicker to construct, but (ironically) produced a better rateable value for the borough. The Ealing Alliance (of action groups) organised a large public meeting on February 10th. at which we outlined our ideastoanaudienceof400.Thisgather- ing by a massive majority of 383 passed a yote of no confidence in the council’s technical services department (the planning office) and declared the Council incompetent in planning matters. The aftermath Big articles appeared in the press picking up particularly the accusation of in- ~ Mpetence against the council. There is a major rule of radicals that says that action springs from reaction; the strongest weapon of the system in an oppressive ‘democracy’ is to ignore those who struggle against it. Once the system starts to react then you are in business for changing it. This is exactly what began to happen in the Ealing struggle. Threats First a member of the Alliance was subjected to verbal threats from a senior council official who declared “You people are in alot of trouble. We are going to sue you for a lot of money for your libellous attack on our competence.” The community people were worried they had gone too far in their public condemn- ation of the authorities, til ARC’s lawyer assured them there was nothing slanderous in their actions. Then the Council wrote a threatening lettertotheAlliance,butbynowthe people had their own legal advice and they treated the threat with the contempt itdeserved even considering action against the council for harrassment. A bartering system ARC receives no payment for the work it does, but it does seek the aid of local communities in its national fight against the profession and specifically the RIBA. Our message to communities is: “We'll help you fight oppressive plans. You help us defeat the RIBA”. Conclusions sess ** NTE? WED ¢ GREENHIGHion Ae which would wipe out traditional shop- keepers, and to cap it all, the usual multi- storey office blocks. Developers scheme Over the years, though the building has not begun, the central area of close-knit working class communities has been raped almost beyond repair. Where houses once stood, the distasteful National Car Parks and their permanent residents—RATS now exist. You might wonder how things have come to such a pass when community- action became such a common-place event during the early seventies. We can only believe that this indigenous community was slaughtered overnight by compulsory purchase, evictions and promises of a better life in council tower blocks; whatever it was, little fight appearstohavetakenplace. thenewformswouldbecomplimented by extensive rehabilitation. The raped central area 1eo HellmansupportstheEulingrevolution. gs anyway they wished. Eventually total support was given to this idea. No further demolition of the area was necessary and ARC concept First major event A public meeting was held on July 2nd at which 350 people assembled. We made some basic statements to the people; we said: “...Youdon’tknowusyet. Firstly we are not amateurs; if you once get that idea into your head and begin to live with it, then we will all have a mill- stone round our necks from which we'll Developers shopping mall ARC did not try to fool the people, to mystify them or make grand promises about design schemes. We told them the truth. We were right to do so. 350 people cheered ARC that night and the Ealing Town Centre Action Group (ETCAG) was formed to represent the central community. Publicity for the struggle followed imme- diately. Four Ealing Residents Associations publicly praised ARC. TheEalingTradesCouncilwassplit bitterly over the issue. never escape. We are professionals and here is the evidence (we showed some of our actions OE Hellman Federation ARC found that itcould not walk quietly away from this situation even though we had an urgent national campaign to get off the ground. So in the summer of 75 we were instrumental in founding the EALING ALLIANCE, acollective body of seven residents associations. Phase two It was under the direction of this body that we began to work in greater detail in October 1975. Wesetourtargetforamassivepublic meeting in February 1976, and this time we were to consider the wider area of Ealing town centre, not just the core area. Our work inyolved the production of several architectural schemes with models for the core area, anda critique of the Council’s planning proposals for the entire town centre. Ss An ARC project based on infill and rehab We found that the council’s plan was based ona ludicrous 800% increase in off: street car-parking; a situation that would mean the destruction of the entire town centre putting the cars at one level. In short we showed how the Council had designed a plan which haditself created the problems it would have to solve. This is a circular argument which occurs in nearly all large scale developments based onthecombinationofprofitmotiveand the worship of the private car. — \6FLL-THAT TARE CARE OF THE CAR PARKING PROBLEM was Mest? A.J. July 1975 EALING: CONCLUSION We mean the conclusions at this stage: ARC isn’t finished in Ealing, but the next move must come from the people and they must indicate they wish to carry on the fight at a more intense level. There has been too much so-called ‘community action’ where the activists hay have done al the work of the people; this merely puts another layer of mystification between the grass-roots and the system. Our campaign in Ealing proved to us that we had learnt lessons from previous actions in Covent Garden, Bootle etc. In Ealing the local residents took on an increasing amount of the organisational work and thus left us free to get on with technical problems In addition we al made a deliberate attempt to cross the boundariesofclassandpartypoliticsso that we could develop as a team with a ‘cause’, the defeat of an oppressive plan and the creation ofa more just planning and decision-making process. Doing things this way can prove very beneficial; people are treated as people and not put into some doctrinaire box. We could create a situation where we could discuss revo- lutionary processes with middle-class people, and wherewe could learn that the ‘working-class’ are not necessarily ‘God’s gift to creation’. So our successes, apart from creating panic in the local council bureaucracy, have been the creation ofa relationship with people based on trust, integrity and mutual respect. Our failures are connected with the mixed working-class and squatter community in the core area. We did our best to rally them at the first major meeting and they formed the majority on the Twon Centre Action Group. But then they drifted away. We appealed again. Still no Tesponse, so we worked with the fringe communities who were more middle-class, though not entirely, and developed plans and techniques of action. Furthermore, even the fringe communities who have everything going for them, appear not to have the true sense of fight. We believe that the British people are really more oppressed (in the most invidious manner) than almost anyone. That is why planning bureaucracies and the architectural profession can beat them in the long run. Does this depress us? Certainly. Will we give up? Never. We will only fight harder to revolutionise the communities so that they fight for their own decent environ- ment. OTHER PROFESSIONS Newham Rights Centre is one of the 15 neighbourhood law centres in this country. It is funded by the Nuffield Foundation whose grant expires at the endofAugust 1976whenitishopedthat the Government will fund the Centre directly. Like several other Centres, Newham Rights Centre does not undertake individual cases, although two evening advice sessions are organised by the Centre and staffed by volunteer lawyers each week in the Borough. The Centre concentrates its resources on test cases, cases for tenants’ associations and similar organisations, and education and inform- ation on legal rights, The Centre is staffed by two barristers, one solicitor, two community workers and three administrator secretaries. The Centre deals largely with housing, employment and social security matters. In the housing field a lot of work is done with tenants’s associations. Apart from major problems over repairs, public health and so on, much time is taken up with redevelopment. It is in this area that the Centre’s contact with architect is most vital. The situation is familiar. The tenants of a very run-down part of a run-down borough havehadpromisesofbetter things for the last ten or fifteen years. Their loyalties are torn between a deep affection for the area and the community spirit which has survived the privations of decades on the one hand, and on the other, a traditional east-end desire to get out and move further up the District line. The Council put forward unimaginative and insensitive plans for total redevelop- ment with the absolute minimum of public consultation, let alone participation. The plans are delayed year by year because of costs. The residents get hopelessly dis- illusioned in their desolate and half demolished surroundings. It is at this stage that the local Law Centre often gets involved. Its resources provide community workers to invigorate the tenants associations. The lawyers press for full compensation for residents whose houses are demolished and advise on other incidental legal problems. But community architects are the real key to the situation. They can provide the expertise to fight the Council’s planning department on its own ground. They have the authority to say to the tenants’ association that the word of the Council’s planners is not gospel. They have the sensitivity to translate into architecture the inarticulated aspirations of people who have no experience and little knowledge of what is possible. They can take into account the social, cultural, economic and other complex needs and wishes of the people in the area. Most. importantly, they can involve the residents in decisions that will affect their lives so deeply. There are other ways too, in which the architects and the Law Centres can work together, in the presentation of tenants’ cases against landlords to Court, and so on. But it is through community organ- isations such as tenants associations in situations like the one above, that law centresandarchitectscanreallyputtheir skills to the service of the people. John Hendy Barrister at Law Legal Adviser to ARC RIBATE (Continued) community and for the values they believe in. What has fee fixing to do with the true cause of architectural ideals that the RIBA pretends to espouse? 80% of architects have no clients or fees and yet the Architects Journal has the cheek to say that over this the RIBA is ‘the voice of the whole profession’. 95% of the community have no architects or access to fees and yet the RIBA has the gall to refer to the “public interest”. What really scares the RIBA mandarins isthe thought that under competition dedicated architects would start providing better services for less fees, especially if they had no expensive offices or over- heads to maintain. More frightening — they might actually get their just share of work based on ability by competing in thiswayinsteadofbeingexploitedby their pseudo architect bosses. Even worse, communities might be able to afford their own architects more and more; these would both combat the RIBA stranglehold and work for the people’s own interests. People are waking up to the fact that architecture as practised by the RIBA minority is irrelevant. Capitalism is also having its doubts. Ifthe Monopolies Commission’s investigation helps to loosen the privi- leged grip of the RIBA on the profession, then we support it. Why Red House?” We’re sorry to disappoint the categorisers, labellers and dismissers, but ‘Red House’ has nothing to do with the Kremlin. We are not Syndicalists, Marxists, Maoists nor indeedCapitalistsbut,ifwemusttalkin ‘ists’, then artists, revolutionists, human- ists and anti-dogmatists. The Red House was the first building designed by Philip Webb and William Morris in 1860 when they were in their mid 20s and symbolises for us the welding together of art and revolution, architect- lure and social responsibility, style and commitment that we aim to revive in our profession. We follow the traditions of English radicalism — the Levellers, the Diggers, the 18th century revolutionaries $well as Ruskin and Morris. Like Morris have arrived at revolution through our .In fact the Red House was designed before Webb and Mortis became radical- ised politically. Its title refers to the red of indigenous English brick and tile, not the tricolor. Ruskin and Morris were dater affected by the second wave of olutionary change in Europe and the dea that artists should serve the emanci- pation of the people and not “the winish luxury of the rich”, for “the chitect iscarefully guarded from the ommon troubles of the common man, wilding for ignorant, purse proud igesting machines”. (Morris). architectural terms Morris had the great revolutionary insight to see that the inspiration for a people’s architecture must come neither from foreign neo- lassical monuments nor from the equally monumental engineering structures ofthe new capitalist class but from the people’s own buildings — the vernacular dwellings to be seen in every village and amlet. This was as worthy of the name “architecture” as the monuments of the ling elites of the past — more so since itwas the democratic expression of the architecture of the future when “society... ilproduce to live, and not live to produce as we do, under such conditions, architecture, as a part of the life of the people in general, will again become possible...itwillhaveanewbirth.Ihave ahope that it will be from such necessary, npretentious buildings that the new and enuine architecture will spring, rather ‘an from our experiments in concious le.” Morris has consequently received unjust historical treatment by the bourgeois apologists for machine age “functional- ism”. Like Pevsner because he did not ioningly revere the hine and had the effrontery to be a romantic. We believe that Morris’ ideals could not be realised because they were far ahead of his time and perhaps because he looked too far back to the Middle Ages for solutions. But today the conditions that prompted Morris in his artistic/political revolutionism exist once more, only augmented and accelerated a hundred fold. What would Morris think ifhe were alive today about the destruction of our cities and towns for profit, about the third rate ghettos erected by indifferent committees of public authorities in the name of housing, about the desecration of our countryside and towns by motor- ways, airports and polluti 5 and what oh what, citizens, would be his opinion of the RIBA? Would he have any reason to alter his verdicts: “Is money to be gathered? Cut down the pleasant trees among the houses, pull down ancient and venerable buildings for the money that a few square yards of London dirt will fetch; blacken rivers, hide the sun and poison the air with smoke and worse. And it’s nobody’s business to see it and mend it.” But the difference is that today communities have started to make it their business; to fight back against the regressiveanddestructiveenvironments of the money grubbers and bureaucrats and their RIBA condoned lackeys. They are forcing the profession (or those in it who care) to question its basic precepts and to find them wanting ifnot down- right irrelevant. Our fight today is not Or architecture for a few. Thus “Red House”. Message from Jamaica Within the under-developed countries, the RIBA has abrogated to itself the “burden’ of setting standards of education and professional conduct for societies quite different from its own. To maintain the status quo, the RIBA has supervised the education of, and maintain- ed strong links with a generation of architects within the oppressed Third World. These professionals serve the interest of domestic and international capital, and are therefore against the aspirations of the workers and peasants of their Tespective countries. They represent the culture of imperialism and give it form in their b i “inter- national” style. The RIBA, together with its alter ego the Commonwealth Association of Architects, Organise conferences and jamborees to strengthen and refuel this parasitic native elite. The RIBA has very strong links with racist South Africa! Where then are the morals and professicn- alstandardsof the RIBA itself?! What right does the RIBA have to set our standards?! Progressive architects every- where must identify with ARC! Together... “Our force is irresistible, Away with al pests!” VIVA ARC!! Death of a Patriot for Community Architecture Sam Driscoll, the ‘King of Covent Garden’ as we called him, died on Thursday 29th April. He had been il for a year and at times had suffered great pain. Sam Driscoll created the Covent Garden Community Association many months before it became public, and to those of us who knew him throughout the struggle he always represented the true ideal of community action, no matter how much international fame Covent Garden achieved. Despite al the jargon that came to surround the community struggles, Sam clung to his basic belief that people hadarighttotheirhomes.Covent Garden was his home and he struggled for it. It is not melodramatic to say that he died for it. The unbelievable amount of work and energy that he put into Covent Garden affairs over the last seven years gradually took their tol. The Red House was the first iously designed building to take itsinspiration from peasant architecture — local materials used untreated, aformal planning from the inside out, an eclectic mix of elements, care for the natural environment and free expression for native craftsmanship. against corrupt classicism but mindless “functionalism” and it i tendencies, Our style isonce again the people’s own architecture — but urban rather than rural, those urban villages where ‘people’ and ‘buildings’ are inseparable, where the place is as much about community telationships as about space, and which planners, developers care welder... But Morris saw that the struggle for a dignified and egalitarian society which and architects treat with the same contempt they had for the vernacular in levelled up not down could not be effected by art and design alone, and he Morris’ time. But this style must not be confused with combined his revolutionary ideas on art with direct political action. the thin veneer of ‘vernacular’ architect- ure with which some local authorities use Thearchitecturalideasdevelopedinto daeee Uoaradae athaedlEingvleitshnnyFreeanaArecshiteactnuraeemsovement n n structiures. The peoSpaleast’ anrchitecteure will only really emerge when the people themselves have the power to appoint their own architects and advisors and not have these thrust upon them, “a taste imposed on the top as part of a subtle movements in this country was smother- ed and emasculateidn the fashionable middle class for their own ends, and later purloined by continental capitalism whose bureaucracy distorted and recast it as scheme for dividing off gentility from servitity”. Like Morris we “do not want machine age functionalism” — or the ‘moder’ architecture that has become art for a few anymore than education for the hated symbol of such regimes every- a few or freedom for a few”, where today. reviews A Short History of the Architectural Profession by Adam Purser Price 10p “Why me? Why pick on me?” I said when asked to write this review. Well, I mean, “A Short History of the Architectural Profession’ didn’t really hit me as some- thing Ishouldn’t miss, there were no tasty graphics for a kick-off. But suddenly it clicked. Could this really be a caricature of Eric Lyons on the cover? And if so this particular ‘History’ might have an interesting angle to it. And indeed it has. Adam Purser’s thesis can be split into two parts, the first dealing with the actual history of the profession, and the second being used by the author as a platform for his own ideas and ideals. The devolution of the ‘architect’ from the ‘master-craftsman’ is clearly illustrated and can be taken as the true starting point of the thesis and from here onwards the evolution of the profession can easily be followed, through the forming of the Institute of British Architects, through the granting of the Royal Charter, the setting up of the examination system in 1889 which is still the basis of archi- tectural education today as Adam Purser so rightly states, carrying on up to the immediate issues of the R.I.B.A. report to the Monopolies Commission. This thesis is good. It is clear, informative, and will no doubt be controversial. The front cover isby Hellman, the inside photos courtesy of the Architects Revo- lutionary Council, and on the inside of the back cover even an advert for the “Morning Star’. Irecommend that you buy this booklet, read it, and then think really hard about the validity of the R.1.B.A. existing in the society of both the present and the future. Rob Thompson The Rape and Plunder of the Shankill by Ron Wiener Notaems Press, 76 Shankill Rd. Belfast 13 Price £1.70 The British have a way of switching off when confronted by anything touching on Irish politics, particularly now that public opinion no doubt considers that saturation point has long since been passed as regards media coverage of the ‘troubles’. My instinct is that, because of this, many people will ignore ‘The Rape and Plunder of the Shankill’. class community struggled for survival, and clearly illustrates how power comes from the point of a gun...”". Unnecessary histrionics? Not in this case. In the final resort most genuine community activists will admit that the fundamental issue is oneof power; that despite al the technical and social arguments, the status quo, as Harold Laski put it, *...does not abdicate in the face of logic...’ Power is transferred by other means, The com- munity activists of Britain have just had to live with this frustrating fact and direct action has reached no greater heights than the occasional squat or temporary occupation of a building. But Wiener’s book isabout Belfast and, as the world now knows, threats made there are not idle. When such communities warn the politicians and planners to desist from smashing their BUM (Belfast Urban Motorway) through close-knit working- class neighbourhoods, the civil servants sit up and listen. In Britain threats result in marchers mouthing inane slogans like ‘Power to the People’; in Belfast they result in gelignite. The book deals specifically with one area of Belfast, the famous Shankill Road, the Loyalist counterpart to the equally well- known Falls Road, spiritual centre of the Belfast Republicans. Wiener has docu- mented the Shankill’s struggle against the planners with exceptional thoroughness and has placed his critique neatly in the context of the peculiarly complex local politics of Northern Ireland. With fascinating detail he describes how the ruling Unionist Party in conjunction with the ancient Orange Order, manipulated and deceived the Protestant working-class into accepting (at least initially) the decentralised, growth-centre planning policy which meant the destruction of the Shankill, by the old myth that the Catholic (IRA dominated) working-class were their true enemy. But through his book (which Wiener describes as ‘a horror story which just ran and ran’) he shows how the ‘troubles’ finally smashed al the tidy visions of the planners. The climax came with the total strike of June 1974 organised by the UWC (Ulster Workers Council) and backed by the para-military group, the UDA. After years of being deceived by the establishment the Shankill had an indigenous power-base to which it could turn. In 1968 the plans for the Shankill were based on 15 storey tower blocks, and 60% of al dwellings were to be flats, The community had persistently demanded 2- storey terraced houses. Once they obtained the help of the para-military groups overnight they got exactly what they wanted, and that ishow the plan stands today. Brian Anson |COMMUNITY ACTION IN EUROPE Sol lentunaholm Sweden, [5 - 21 August, 1976 lOrganised by the }INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FEDERATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND ICONSERVATION IFEE, including full board for six Inights and including one trip to Stockholm £30.00 iApplication forms from Xaver Monbailliu 30 Rue Sadi Carnot 192 Vauves, Paris. Civil Engineer Thomas Morrison was acquitted recently at the Old Bailey of charges of theft and arson. He was brought to court for stealing plans and documents (in some cases burning them) from the GLC where he worked. His aim was to help his local residents association fight road improvements on the Kingston-by-pass. Though Morrison was acquitted, he no longer works at the GLC and the fact that he was brought to court at al (especially to the Old Bailey) re-emphasises the tremendous struggle communities have against bureaucratic planners. What price freedom? SUBSCRIPTIONS Membership of ARC There are two rules in ARC: To practise, where possible, community architecture and, Synonymous with this, to work for the overthrow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, If you accept these rules we would be interested to hear from you. Anyone really interested in the struggle of communities against oppressiveplanning schemes will wish this book as wide a circulation as possible, but I doubt it will happen for, in a very real sense, TheRape and Plunder of the Shankill is dynamite. This would be a tragedy, as in my opinion, Ron Wiener’s book is arguably the most important yet written on community action and the planning process. It is in the same tradition as that other milestone in the genre After the Planners, and indeed takes Robert Goodmans critique further. The pre-publicity describes it as “...giving a blow by blow account of how a working- Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource ARC Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived John Murray Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource undated