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We are planning new works in our church. Do we have to use our inspecting architect to design or oversee the works?
MY SHORT answer is “No.” The part played by inspecting architects is administered by dioceses in order to ensure that the legal requirement to protect churches is met. Some dioceses allow their churches to choose the inspecting architect; others allocate someone: some dioceses pay for the inspection; others require the churches to pay.
So far, I have met only dioceses where the church can choose its own architect for building works, but perhaps someone would drop me a line if they know of others who cannot do so.
The diocese may require that the architect meets its approval to ensure that listed buildings are dealt with appropriately. So, first, check with the secretary of your diocesan advisory committee (DAC).
Why might you choose another architect for your new works? Your inspecting architect may be good at looking after a building and ensuring good practice in its maintenance, but may lack some imagination and skill when new design is needed in an existing building. I have been involved with several churches who have interviewed potential architects for new works, and I have learned several lessons in the process.
Not all inspecting architects want to design building adaptations. If you decide to set up a day to interview several architects, invite your architect to be one of them. This will give you and your architect a fair view of each other in the context of the work to be done.
Not all good church architects take the same approach to new work. Some may want to imitate the existing style; some may want an ultra-modern insertion. Materials — and styles — will vary.
Recently, I have encouraged churches to enquire about the architect’s previous work. This enables you to see the style and quality of the work. If, as I would hope, the design depends on the setting (the architect does not have a trendy idea that he or she likes to put in everywhere), this will be apparent, as will the quality of the architect’s work.
I then encourage the church to ask the architect how he or she will work with the church in order to develop a design. This is your church, with all its constraints of heritage and style of use, and even your tastes in design; so the best design will come out of your own requirements, the aesthetic requirements of church, the various authorities involved, and the skill and experience of the architect.
I do not expect architects to turn up for an interview with a prepared design idea: the best design for change in a working church is developed together. It is more important that the church has confidence that the architect has the proven skill and can work with church members to come up with the best solution.
As for oversight, the DAC, within the faculty process, has oversight of your project, but not of the inspecting architect.
Questions and comments to maggie@ churchtimes.co.uk
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