Abstract

Research in architectural history is often perceived as an entirely scholarly pursuit with limited practical application. However, historic research can also be used to gain a new understanding of the environmental principles underlying the design of historic buildings, and this can be used to address issues of sustainability in the context of architectural conservation. This relationship between research and practice has been subject of Prof Schoenefeldt’s academic research for the past 15 years. In this talk he is exploring the role of his research in leading change within architectural practice, focusing on his current project within the Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme. The project involves an in-depth study of the Palace of Westminster‘s nineteenth-century ventilation system, and a collaboration with the client and lead designers to developed plans for a sustainable system that re-utilise this historic system.

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