GUIDANCE re Working with Architects
The DAC wishes to offer parishes some guidance and information about how to make the most of working with your church architect for the maintenance and conservation of your beautiful, treasured church buildings.
Extract from the Churchcare website (www.church.care.co.uk which you may find helpful on many subjects):
“Architects and surveyors are highly qualified professionals who have completed a number of years of study and practical training before becoming registered and able to practice. Many have additional qualifications, for example in the conservation of historic buildings. Those who care for our churches are generally members of the Ecclesiastical Architects' and Surveyors' Association (EASA): others are also members of one or more of the amenity societies, for example the Georgian Group or the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). All these organisations have their own websites.
Most architects will be pleased to receive an invitation to attend a PCC meeting to meet members and to answer any questions about church fabric or repairs. Unfortunately, many parishes do not invite their architect and a valuable opportunity for building up a close working relationship is missed.”
The DAC would like to encourage you to involve your architect at an early stage of any proposals, such as reordering, decoration, lighting schemes and even if you think the particular area of work is minor it is good practice to let your architect know your thoughts. When the time comes for the Quinquennial your architect knows in much more detail what has happened since his last visit. It is very important that the architect knows to what standard work is being carried out and that the correct materials are being used for your particular building.
The DAC wish to advise that all faculty applications will need to be copied to their inspecting architects before they are discussed with the DAC. The architect can then be asked to provide a response to accompany the faculty confirming that they have no objections of the proposed works.
The DAC does appreciate that there may be an additional cost involved but it can be money well spent for the future safeguarding of the church building.
If you have any comments or queries please do not hesitate to be in touch with the DAC Secretary, Mrs Sylvia Johnson 01535 650523
September 2008
