Art and Heritage Law: Contested Heritage

Leading classical architect George Saumarez Smith joins Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell to discuss new country houses and extensions and alterations to historic homes. George is a partner at ADAM Architecture and his book, The Romance of Classicism: Designing the English Country House for Today, has just been published. Should there be a battle of styles? How do you design a new home with traditional materials? What is, and what should be, the planning response to schemes?

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by art and underwater cultural heritage expert Tim Maxwell for a fascinating exploration of shipwrecks, treasure, piracy and the law. Together, they dive beneath the surface of underwater cultural heritage, discussing the challenges of protecting submerged history and the stories these remarkable discoveries can tell.

Architectural historian Emily Gee joins Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi to discuss housing built for a new generation of working women in London and other British cities. What was the social change that brought about those hostels? How did the accommodation affect women’s lives and bring about social change? What do we see of these buildings now and how should social history be recorded in our buildings?

Emily’s new book Hostel, House and Chambers Accommodating the Victorian and Edwardian Working Woman is now available.

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by the Countess of Antrim, and historic garden expert Neil Porteous to discuss Glenarm Castle's prizewinning garden. We explore the restoration of one of Ireland’s finest heritage gardens, reflecting on heritage conservation, horticultural excellence, and the role of gardens in preserving cultural and family legacies. And just as importantly: rescue hoglets.

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Magnus von Wistinghausen of World Monuments Fund Britain. Magnus touches on his own story, a macroeconomic perspective on heritage, heritage as a driver of social change, WMF Britain's role in the UK's heritage ecosystem and some current projects.

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Christopher Ridgway, Head Curator of Castle Howard. They discuss the economic pressures on country houses, how these have changed over time and why a house needs to be a business of businesses. Why is the archive so important? What is an environmental bank? They explore what it means today to keep a country house alive.

Historian and heritage expert Simon Thurley joins Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi to discuss why and how we impose listed building controls. Why do we treat the public art of architecture so differently to privately owned artworks? What exactly are we trying to protect, and do we get it right – is it fair?

Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell speak to Michael Clarke and Sarah Posey about the Cultural Gifts Scheme – why we have it, how it works, and the effect it has. They discuss their favourite CGS gifts so far and possible changes ahead.

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Lord Inglewood to discuss the balance between private ownership of our heritage property and state intervention. We ask how to make the protection of our heritage financially sustainable, what works well in the current system, and what needs to be strengthened.

Heritage, and architectural and artistic interest in particular, does not need to be old. Richard Harwood and Clarissa Levi talk to Catherine Croft, the Director of the Twentieth Century Society, about some of the masterpieces of the last 40 years. Ranging from Southwark tube station on the Jubilee Line, Number One Poultry, to Dame Elisabeth Frink’s Desert Quartet and Peter Barber’s social housing, they ask how we assess and recognise recent architecture. They also ask: do architects like their work to be made listed buildings?

The Twentieth Century Society is the National Amenity Society for post-1914 buildings. It’s Coming of Age campaign looks at buildings reaching 30 years old, which is the usual threshold for listing.