Listen "[HBP#23] - Charles Bain Smith - Inside the World of a National Trust Architect"
Episode Synopsis
🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on - Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and any of your other favourite podcasting apps!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to another episode of the Heritage Buildings Podcast!In this episode of the Heritage Buildings podcast, host Vincent Reed sits down with Charles Bain-Smith, a senior building conservation manager at the National Trust. A RIBA chartered architect and SCA accredited conservation specialist, Charles shares his journey from a three-year-old boy witnessing the dramatic demolition of an 18th century tar mill to becoming a leading figure in architectural conservation. Charles delves into his experiences working on various restoration projects, his insights on the dynamic nature of heritage conservation, and his reflections on the importance of preserving the 'ness' of places like Hastings' old fishing port. Whether you're an enthusiast of architectural history or curious about the future of building conservation, this conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Below is a more detailed breakdown of the video with relevant timestampsClick the time on the left to jump straight to that section00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:52 Early Inspirations and First Act of Conservation05:43 Spiritual Connection to Heritage06:36 Involvement with Chillingham Wild Cattle08:59 Durham Cathedral and the Love of Craftsmanship14:19 Early Career and Mentorship23:37 Hands-On Experience and Passion for Timber31:23 Starting a Practice and Team Collaboration42:18 Creative Evenings and the 2000 Crash43:17 Joining the Creative Folkestone Scene45:12 Maintaining Friendships in Architecture46:30 Transition to the National Trust48:06 Exploring Employment Opportunities49:42 Architects vs. Surveyors53:24 National Trust Projects and Challenges01:04:53 Traveling Across the UK for the National Trust01:07:23 Standout Projects: Sissinghurst and Yard House01:17:58 Unexpected Challenges on Site01:19:14 Gaining Respect Through Practical Skills01:20:21 Balancing Leadership and Client Expectations01:21:48 The Importance of Craftsmanship01:24:33 Preserving the Spirit of Places01:38:24 Advice for Aspiring Conservationists01:40:50 The Role of AI in Conservation01:45:17 Final Thoughts and Farewell------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Charles Bain-Smith and learn more:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bain-smith-a495672/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithcharlesbain/Email: [email protected]: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association:https://heritagebuildingsassociation.comJoin the conversation:https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual#HeritageConservation #ArchitecturalRestoration #NationalTrust
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