A Centenary Debate: Saving modern buildings

RTPI NW invites you to celebrate its Centenary with a debate on the future of heritage.

This House believes that "modern buildings should be listed".

The listing of a building can often be a controversial decision, fraught with tension and heartache. The issue is often compounded by a lack of understanding of the historical significance of modern buildings, both by potential developers and also by the public. However, modern buildings are often inherently flexible and can be given a new lease of life, and indeed love!

Join us on 1 May to hear our informed panel debate this issue and to form your own opinion on our future heritage.

Engage in the debate now by voting on whether to list or demolish our shortlist of modernist landmarks. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C2ZRHCP

The event will be preceded by an informal walking tour of the recently Grade II listed Preston Bus Station, by Manchester Modernist Society, beginning at 5.15pm at Gate 3 of the Bus Station. If you wish to join us on the tour, please specify this when registering for the debate.

This is an additional element to the event and attendance is not essential for the enjoyment of the debate! Please note that places on the tour are limited.

Chairman

Prof Ian Wray

Ian Wray is Visiting Professor in Geography and Planning, and Visiting Fellow at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, University of Liverpool. He is Chair of the Liverpool World Heritage Site Steering Group. He is also a Trustee of the TCPA and was Chief Planner, Northwest Development Agency, 2000-2010.

For

Kirsten Ryan

Kirsten Ryan has over 10 years' experience working in the heritage sector and currently works as a private heritage consultant. Working for a wide range of public and private clients, Kirsten has been exposed to buildings and sites of all types, ages and issues. Whilst she cut her heritage teeth working for the Georgian Group in London, varied roles working for the RIBA, the Globe Theatre, Mouchel and Heritage Architecture have furnished Kirsten with an excellent working knowledge of the legislative framework related to the historic environment, which is supported by an extensive knowledge of British architectural history and conservation philosophy. An exiled Scot, neutralised in the south-east of England, Kirsten has found a half-way house in Manchester where she lives and works.

Eddy Rhead

Eddy is a director and co-founder of the Manchester Modernist Society. He is a regular contributor to the MMS's own magazine The Modernist. Previously he was secretary to the North West Group of the Twentieth Century Society. He lives in Manchester.

Against

Mike Hawkins

Mike is a Director with Colliers International, specialising in development consultancy, office agency and investment.

Sarah Buxbaum

Sarah is programme leader in Real Estate Management at Liverpool John Moores University. Coming from a retail management background she qualified as a chartered surveyor in 1989 and spent the next twenty years working in the profession before joining Liverpool JMU fulltime. An interest in the historic built environment led her to complete a postgraduate qualification in Building Conservation. She is now a member of the IHBC and is currently working as part of an RICS team on the development of valuation advice for historic assets. She lectures on all aspects of valuation and also teaches building conservation to surveying students.

Refreshments will be served from 6pm, and the debate will begin at 6.30pm.

To register a place please email beverley.watson@rtpi.org.uk