Bath Preservation Trust

Coming up on the 16th October at the Museum of Bath Architecture (new date!): The optimisation of nature in building 🌿🏛

With Camille Chevrier and Stephen Melville at Format Engineers

Offering a technical perspective on biophilic design, this talk will discuss how form and materiality can be exploited to go beyond the conventional approach to design collaboration.

Nature gives us clues on how structures can be morphed and reconfigured, transcending the received norms of building and promoting ideas for more naturally derived materials.

By adopting these techniques, we can facilitate the design of very low embodied energy structures and ones which are more tactile and relatable to the public. The talk will focus on successful examples of innovative design both locally and across the world as well as pointers to the future of biophilic design in the built environment.

📆 Doors open at 17.30 for 18.00 start.

🎫 Tickets: https://bath-preservation-trust.merlintickets.co.uk/product/EVE-00200

Coming up!

Green Open Homes Bath weekend – October 12th & 13th

See how modern, period and listed buildings can all benefit from energy efficient enhancements. Explore 15 properties of all ages, types and sizes and hear directly from home owners about how to install solar panels, batteries, insulation, efficient glazing, or new heating options.

If you live in a listed building you can contact us to book a home visit for retrofit advice and book on a Spotlight Session with a retrofit expert from Bath & West Community Energy and a Conservation Officer from Bath and North East Somerset Council to receive guidance on energy efficiency improvements and how to get listed building consent.

Several homes require booking, while others welcome drop-ins.

See more at: greenopenhomesbanes.org/events/bath-event/

Bath & West Community Energy - BWCE

Bath’s connection to water is an elemental part of the geology and geography of the city. Water is inherent in its name, part of its DNA and one of the city's most valuable assets.

Yet Bath's waterways are undervalued and riverbanks through the city are poorly appreciated and inaccessible. Rivers are streams of opportunities in the development of sustainable cities. They are vital to reduce temperatures in hot summers and they are home to plants and wildlife. They allow people to engage with natural surroundings, breathe, be at one with landscape, and become energised by nature.

A new river walk stitching together existing private and public footpaths, with new footbridges and walkways to ease and promote pedestrian access to and from the city centre, has been sensitively envisioned by the talented designers at Format Engineers (there is also a model) as part of the Biophilic Bath exhibition at the Museum of Bath Architecture.

The river walk would be a natural link between two rural lungs:
The natural lung of Bathampton Meadows and an urban, reclaimed lung, at the Cattle Market, near Walcot Street. The new walk along the river unlocks access to wetlands, and a network of natural and wild spaces around and in the city. Each site would be important in the development of a biophilic city.

The crossings would be contemporary arch stone bridges, using waste stones quarried many years ago. These would give a substantial natural solidity to new structures. A subtle repurposed steel deck could be added to provide lateral stiffness to the design keeping the proposal lightweight and durable - showcasing creative design using local materials and construction waste.

This approach is intrinsic to the challenges we face in the time of climate change which requires innovative solutions and creativity.

Format Engineers Camille Chevrier and Stephen Melville
will be talking about their vision for the river and the optimisation of nature in building in a talk rescheduled for the 16th October at the Museum of Bath Architecture.

More details and tickets: https://bath-preservation-trust.merlintickets.co.uk/product/EVE-00200

"Being There" is a kaleidoscopic group exhibition of portraiture featuring four original Thomas Gainsborough portraits alongside 18 contemporary British artists, selected by guest curator Ingrid Swenson MBE. This thoughtfully-curated collection encourages the viewer to consider the positions of artists vs sitters, then and now. What similarities and differences are there between the role of the artist in Thomas Gainsborough’s time and today? What motivates and inspires artists then and now to create likenesses of others?

Don't miss the opportunity to view this captivating collection, here at The Gallery at No.1 Royal Crescent until 23 February 2025. Tickets can be purchased as a £2 add-on to museum entry or £5 standalone (concessions £4). Purchase online: https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/whats-on/new-exhibition-being-there/ or on the door.

Artists in Being There are: Michael Armitage, Frank Auerbach, Sarah Ball, Richard Billingham, Glenn Brown, Brian Dawn Chalkley, Kaye Donachie, Paul Graham, Maggi Hambling, David Hockney, Claudette Johnson, Chantal Joffe, Lucy Jones, Joy Labinjo, Melanie Manchot, Celia Paul, Gillian Wearing and Shaqúelle Whyte.

Artworks from left:
🖼 Thomas Gainsborough, Elizabeth Tugwell (1711-1801), oil on canvas
🖼 Thomas Gainsborough, Thomas Tugwell (1744-1769), oil on canvas
⚱ Gillian Wearing, A Real Birmingham Family, 2015. Collection Maureen Paley, London
🖼 Melanie Manchot, Portrait of Mrs Manchot, seated, 1997. Courtesy the artist and Galerie m

📸 Guy Traynor

📢 Conference: Sustainable Development X Urban Conservation 📢

Housing needs to do a lot, whether it is new build, adaptive reuse and conversion, or just maintaining and enhancing the homes we already have. Issues not only focus on supply and the need to build more to cater for existing demand, but in the face of a climate and nature emergency housing must also aim to be as low carbon as possible in its construction as well as contributing no future emissions through heating. It needs to provide safe, healthy and flourishing places to live and it needs to be flexible, providing space, facilities and multiple community needs. It needs to be a place where people want to live (rather than just have to live) and it needs to be done quickly.

But we also need to conserve and value what we already have – existing buildings, urban streetscapes and sense of place.

This is the challenge facing everyone involved with making housing happen – architects and urban designers, planners, developers, conservation officers and all supporting industries: How to provide development which is sustainable, environmentally and socially, whilst working in a planning system which in many cities actively favours conservation?

World Heritage status is often seen as the barrier to the housing we need. It isn’t, but it’s an easy target.

The city of Bath is a great case study. The whole city is a double-inscribed World Heritage Site, the Georgian historic centre a conservation area, most of which has an Article 4 Direction. It is home to the greatest density of listed buildings outside of central London – more than 5,000.

Sustainable Development X Urban Conservation Conference will take place in Bath on 23rd and 24th October 2024. It is a national, sector-focused conference to explore innovative and practical approaches which demonstrate how urban conservation and protected landscapes may pioneer positive development, which is sustainable within the Doughnut Economics model.

Drawing together 12 speakers, including academics, urban designers, practitioners and national conservation leaders, the 2-day event will provide practical workshops and networking opportunities with some of the UK’s leading experts.

Sustainable development and the need for growth need practical reconciliation and this conference provides the chance for sector professionals to engage with and lead what that looks like. The discussions and workshops will contribute to a paper to be published nationally and submitted to UNESCO and ICOMOS as technical guidance.

The conference is being produced by Bath Preservation Trust in partnership with the University of Bath, Bath & North East Somerset Council and World Heritage UK. Tickets cost £225 and are available to book on: www.sdg-x-conservation-conference.com

Would you agree that what’s missing in Bath's Sawclose is a tree?

As part of the Biophilic Bath exhibition (currently open at the Museum of Bath Architecture until the end of October) the talented designers in the Stride Treglown Bath office have put forward a proposal for a beautiful temporary tree-like sculpture that they hope will inspire action for a real tree to be planted. "Tree of Dreams" is the embodiment of biophilic principles - and could be an art installation that would inspire awe for the natural world and be a catalyst for change.

There are many wonderful examples of Bath public spaces with tree focal points – Kingsmead Square, Abbey Green, the Circus... These are places that people love, places where people congregate. They have become part of Bath’s DNA and link back to the city’s pagan origins when nature was once revered. This visionary proposal is to create a temporary, biophilic tree-like sculpture that will transform this space and help people visualise how much better it could be. The designers acknowledge that there are technical challenges with the ultimate objective of installing a real tree, but these can be overcome. And if there is enough public will, then solutions will be found.

The willow-like sculptural design is inspired by a well known film (any guesses?) and will feature bio-luminescent fronds that will harvest the sun’s energy during the day and then glow at night. It highlights that there are missing opportunities for art, nature, playfulness and wonder in Bath.

Join us this evening (25.09.24) for a talk from Rob Delius, he will be presenting the proposal and a personal take on why we need more biophilic design.

We hope to see you there!

Tickets are available on the door.
Doors open at 5.30 for 6pm start.
A bar will be serving wine, beer and soft drinks.

Changing Narratives of Bath's Heritage event tickets from TicketSource Buy tickets for Changing Narratives of Bath's Heritage at Michael Tippett Centre

Conference coming up! Come and explore how sustainable and appropriate developments can take place in cities with complex planning rules, and how learning from others can influence change in Bath and across the UK.

We will share innovative and practical approaches that demonstrate how urban conservation and protected landscapes may pioneer positive development, which are sustainable within the Doughnut Economics model.

Bath is the perfect case-study of a city facing pressures on many levels. It is constrained by geography, increasingly affected by climate change, it needs more housing, better services and to balance the competing demands for growth and innovation while addressing disparate and variable social opportunity.

The need for conservation and responsibility for World Heritage is too often cited as a barrier to development. The reality is that homes are being built but the cost is unaffordable by most, those houses being built do not respond to local demand and design quality does not match the historic backdrop. The high costs are contributing to social disparity, with social mobility and opportunity compounded and confounded for many residents.

Sustainable development and the need for growth need practical reconciliation.

The 2 day conference is a collaboration between Bathnes Council, Bath Preservation Trust, University of Bath and World Heritage UK and will bring together sector leaders to explore how sustainable development can be made to work in urban development and why it is so important.

Thank you to our sponsors: West of England Combined Authority, Curo, National Trust National Trust in Bath - Prior Park, Bath Skyline and Bathampton Meadows

Find out more and book: https://fish-pelican-rgkd.squarespace.com/

NEW TALK: Urban Nature with Johanna Gibbons
📆 Wednesday 18/09/2024, 5.30pm
📍 The Museum of Bath Architecture

With a vast portfolio of dynamic and considerate projects to reflect and draw learning from, Johanna Gibbons will share her remarkable work which includes the restoration and revitalisation of a city estate landscape, the creation of a community garden and cultural hub, urban forestry and urban agriculture, safe havens for learning, growing, relaxation and natural play, habitat enriching planting palettes that promote productivity, and edible landscapes with areas for community growing.

Book here: https://bath-preservation-trust.merlintickets.co.uk/product/EVE-00202

Are you ready for one of Bath's biggest and most exciting festivals?!

We've got lots planned for Jane Austen Festival, Bath, UK:

📆 From 13 – 22 September, including Monday, we will be running our special Jane Austen themed immersive tour every day from 10am-5.30pm (last entry 4.30pm) - book here: https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/whats-on/jane-austen-in-bath-2/

📆 On Saturday 14 September we will have a stall at this year's Promenaders Festival Fayre at the Bath Assembly Rooms, selling items from our gift shop 🛍

📆 On Thursday 19 September we have a few spaces remaining for our special Austen-themed late opening. Book here: https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/whats-on/museum-late-opening-thursday-31st-august/

We hope to see you!

🌿 Biophilic Bath - September Sessions 🌿

Join us at the Museum of Bath Architecture for talks from inspiring designers who have a passion for the natural world, knowledge of biophilic design and its role in bringing forward sustainable building practices that support mental and physical wellbeing.

Coming up…

📆 Tuesday 10th September at 6pm
Andrew Grant, Grant Associates
🌳Natural Assets

📆 Wednesday 18th September at 6pm
Johanna Gibbons, J&L Gibbons Landscape Architecture
🌿Urban Nature

📆 Tuesday 25th September at 6pm
Rob Delius, Stride Treglown
🍃Restorative Connections

Book here: https://bath-preservation-trust.merlintickets.co.uk/collections/Events%20and%20tickets

Total Bath

Did you know art by features on the ceiling at BRLSI? Join a full length discussion of some of the 18th Century artist’s work for his patron William Beckford, with Dr Amy Frost of the Bath Preservation Trust.
Heritage Open Days
📅 Thursday, 12 September
🕑 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM BST
💷 Tickets: FREE

We are currently recruiting for an HR Officer! We are looking for a diligent and highly organised person to provide HR processes which support the effective operation of the charity, including recruitment, staff support and development, maintaining personnel records, advising on and updating staff policies, producing contracts, and taking responsibility for the payroll (in conjunction with our external processor). You must be a strong communicator with meticulous attention to detail, who enjoys working in a busy professional environment.

Salary: £28,000 per annum, pro rata (actual gross pay: £11,200).

Apply via the website:

Volunteering, Internships & Jobs – Bath Preservation Trust Bath Preservation Trust is committed to diversifying our audiences and workforce in line with the priorities of our organisation. We actively encourage applications from candidates from groups under-represented in our organisation including; Black and minority ethnic people and Disabled people.

🏛 There's not long left to visit the Biophilic Bath exhibition at the Museum of Bath Architecture; which showcases creative visions for engaging with nature in urban areas.

Presented by the Bath Preservation Trust, the exhibit features designs by innovative architects, engineers, and designers, which show future “biophilic” visions of the city.

Find out more: buff.ly/3Mbj2Bb