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It was suggested that, in new design, the only response left to climate change was an eco-
build approach that addressed the issues of sustainability. There was only one direction: we
had to be sensitive to the vernacular context, so the materials we used and the openings etc.
on new work and new buildings were important. The sourcing of materials may not be local
anymore, however, so would that be vernacular?
There was a question about urban form versus detailing: it was suggested that conservation
was more about details. Detail was so important when these buildings were built: they were
a form of
historic bling
. As a result the question was asked: do we need a modern
interpretation of historic detail? The problem was that it was a difficult time, for detail.
It was admitted that bad pastiche did exist. One delegate cited the “2.4 m floor to ceiling
building” as an example. Vernacular was about architecture of distinct places: it had to
respond to context, it could not be a one-size-fits all. The Ilse of Man solution was thought to
be too prescriptive and it was not producing vernacular responses. The approach in the Isle
of Skye raised questions about the siting of buildings in the landscape and whether they were
more like works of sculpture. The Building in Context Toolkit had advocated respect for
context, but it was suggested that we needed more flexibility. At that point it was suggested
that we would not be able to conclude the debate on design that afternoon.
The topic of earth was raised and the question was asked: with climate change and warmer
wetter winters and dryer summers, should we use earth in the UK? Dr Maria Yioutani-
Iacovides referred to the Grand Design TV programme which had included some examples.
She said that in the UK cob was widespread in the south - where it had been used ‘forever’.
She explained that we should use cob because it did work, but it did needed protection from
wet weather.
It was pointed out that in the Lime Forum there was growing interest in earth mortars.
Stafford Holmes had been giving advice in India on earth buildings. There was a suggestion
that whilst we could use earth-lime for buildings, there were healthier materials to use.
The discussion was then drawn to a close, the speakers were thanked and so was the IHBC
NW Branch Events Committee that had organised the Day Conference.