PERSONALSTATEMENTALEX FINLASON

CATHEDRALARCHITECTSUBMISSIONJUNE 2012

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LIVERPOOL CONNECTIONS

Both my father and grandfather were architects based in Liverpool. My grandfather worked in Liverpool City Works Department and took my father round the cathedral as it rose. Later, in the late 1960’s my father took me; I stood in the massive vaulted space and viewed the stonemason’s workshops with blocks of Woolton sandstone being worked. As a small boy there was no turning from a career in architecture.

Later, in my teens, I sketched the houses climbing up Washington Street with the view of the cathedral tower at the top. Later still, in 1981, carrying out a survey I witnessed the blanket of smoke from burning properties drift from Upper Parliament Street and surround the cathedral.

I was an average choirboy and confirmed by Bishop David at St Matthew and St James Church, Mossley Hill. I attended St Margaret’s Church of England High School and amongst many a building visit my father took me to marvel at the famous iron church of St Michael in the Hamlet further down Aigburth Road.

Forty years later I was honoured to take him around to view the restoration of the unique slate and iron church roof that I had just completed. And now I am grateful for Rev’d David Parry being one of my referees.

ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATION

I attended the University of Manchester, School of Architecture achieving BA (Arch) and B Arch, first class; I was awarded the Rossant Award for drawing in 1979, the Benjamin Heywood University medal and I exhibited in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in 1982. I trained under eminent conservation architect, Dr Ron Brunskill, and the inspirational Professor Dr Geoff Worsley.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

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PRACTICE - BDP

In 1982 I joined multi-discipline design practice, Building Design Partnership (BDP) in their Manchester office, becoming an Associate at 27, running a wide variety of types and scales of projects over a period of 11 years. Project experience included hospitals, laboratories and latterly I headed BDP’s major urban regeneration schemes for Newcastle upon Tyne, Trafford Park and Central Manchester.

In the conservation sector, I worked on the conversion of the Grape Street warehouse for Granada TV, various inner-city listed building conversions including liaison with city planners, English Heritage and different stakeholders.

BDP had taught me the importance of team working; their approach to business where individual professions were gathered and focused into a collective team with closely aligned objectives became second nature.

The efficiency and effectiveness of a well-managed and motivated team was a joy to behold and I achieved many wonderful projects and rewarding relationships, some of which endure today.

PRACTICE - PFP

In 1993 I formed a multi-discipline design practice, Pickard Finlason Partnership (PFP) based in Manchester and founded upon a major commission for BBC North to relocate large numbers of programme-makers from London to their then headquarters on Oxford Road.

During this time I worked directly for the BBC’s John Dee, as part of the client team regenerating tired 1960’s building stock. Focused upon the introduction of new working practices and a commercial approach to business, this process involved challenging timescales, fresh thinking, innovative design intervention and tight budgetary control.

John moved to London, became the BBC’s Head of Design, and though now retired continues to work as a consultant to the BBC. I am proud to invite John to support my application for Cathedral Architect; he remains both an inspiration and valued contributor to my life.

Whilst on the face of it, work for the BBC might appear a long way from Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s great cathedral, many of the lessons learned in the processes of handling people, visitors and performers, servicing their needs and expectations in a commercial setting are just the same.

The mission may be different but there are common objectives of team-building, thorough research, deliberation and excellence in presentation.

EXPERIENCE

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THE CARE AND CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS; MY PHILOSOPHY

My interest and philosophy for the care and conservation of historic buildings had been initiated by my father. At University I had learned the importance of good research and a sound knowledge of construction. In practice I was fortunate to have the opportunity to develop this further, examining buildings in detail at first hand, evaluating the significance of their component parts and their contributions to the townscape or setting. There is no substitute for experience and learning by seeing how things go together and understanding what gave rise to them.

Good conservation, however, is not just slavish recreation of the past or retention of everything you find, (although this can be the case in some instances); excellence in the design of new elements enlightens the mix. Contemporary intervention is often challenging for people; but excellent design can enliven a listed or historic building; it can enthral and draw interest that otherwise would never arise.

I enjoy the phrase at the foot of the Acting Dean’s letter in the Liverpool Cathedral ‘2011 Annual Review’ that “we continue to work to be a safe place to do risky things in Christ’s service.” Liverpool has a tradition of doing risky things – in trade, business, politics, culture and the arts, in comedy, music and in architecture. Risky, edgy and challenging can be really good.

I favour the approach of confident innovation set against the backcloth of proper research and the understanding of significance and appropriateness. Good ideas must be soundly based and if carried out in safe hands this need not be too risky a business.

PHILOSOPHY

In 1813 the Liverpool iron founder, John Cragg and architect, Thomas Rickman, took a risk by designing a system of pre-fabrication of church buildings for mass production and export to the Empire. Using a combination of Welsh slate panels, a structural framework and decorative components made of cast-iron, they rolled out Gothic revival style buildings.

The iron and slate were painted pink, with a mix of lime-wash and animal blood to look solid, with features like finely carved Woolton sandstone. Within twenty years they had started to fail; leaks occurred in the innovative flat slate roofs and slate cladding panels fell and had to be removed from the walls.

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In 2008, at the grade I church of St Michael in the Hamlet, the second building by Rickman was in a serious state of disrepair; water ingress and corrosion threatened the structural stability and urgent investment was required if the building was to be saved.

Since then I have secured over half a million pounds of funding from English Heritage and completed four phases of painstaking restoration, the last of which, focused upon the Tower, was completed in late 2011. This has been a challenging process – one which perfectly illustrates my approach to conservation.

St Michael’s required very detailed intrusive investigation, survey, and analysis. Inherent design faults were discovered with the unique form of construction and required complex modern technology to rectify. It was like one giant Meccano kit without any instructions.

The trust of the client and English Heritage, and the relationship between architect, engineer and contractor were vital in ensuring accurate sympathetic reassembly and cost control.

I am also commissioned at the grade I St George’s church, Everton, (the first iron church) to undertake a scheme of restora-tion which is likely to dwarf that at St Michael’s and demand the same rigour of inquiry and substantial grant aid. No doubt in this climate, this is the beginning of a long journey.

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Within PFP I developed a specialism for the conservation and restoration of historic and listed buildings completing the conversion of the 1877 Grade II Baerlin’s Warehouse in Blackfriars, Manchester to twenty seven luxury apartments.

Other listed buildings conversion schemes followed as the demand for characterful city centre property increased.

There also followed a series of projects for churches and charitable organisations across the North West and in Wales.

Amongst these, restorations of grade I:

· St Mark’s Church, Brithdir, for the Friends of Friendless Churches;

· Christ College Chapel, Brecon;

· St Michael’s in the Hamlet Church, Liverpool; and

· Various schemes at Brecon Cathedral.

Various feasibility studies and as yet un-built schemes for special places such as:

· St Hywyn’s Church, Aberdaron; and

· Llandaff Cathedral for the Dean and Archbishop Barry Morgan.

EXPERIENCE

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I have carried out re-ordering and alteration schemes at a host of grade II and II* churches, each with their own challenge, commonly financial, but also often encountering congregations and clergy venturing to take risk with their buildings and forms of worship.

In addition to challenging end user briefs, the relationships born out of close liaison and collaboration with English Heritage or CADW, the various dioceses, planners, conservation officers and heritage interest groups have been key to the success of many projects.

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RELATIONSHIPS

I have developed close working relationships with many Local Authorities, notably Liverpool, Manchester and Bolton.

In Liverpool over the last ten years I have worked hard to attract millions of pounds of grant aid for churches and communities in the poorest of areas. I am proud of my reputation in this regard, and am well known at the most senior level in English Heritage both for my thoroughness and tenacity.

I am particularly delighted with my efforts at the grade II, Holy Trinity church, Walton Breck. Not only as it is one of the closest historic building to Anfield, which is my other favourite place of worship, but I used to cycle past it on my way to work in the gents outfitters just further up Breck Road during school holidays.

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When ‘Hicks and Gillette’ redesigned the Liverpool Football Club Stadium, moving it within Stanley Park I was aware that the European funding for the community facility within the stadium would be lost. As it could not be built in time, the money would be returned to Brussels. This inspired me to doing something about it.

This followed a period when the Diocese of Liverpool had questioned the viability of Holy Trinity, I had been commissioned to survey it and became a vigorous defender. Not only did I play my part in saving the building, importantly, I highlighted the spire was about to collapse into the street below.

English Heritage supported my robust application with a maximum grant and we rebuilt each one of the eight stone columns (in turn) that held the spire in place. An understanding was also reached to continue to support the building with two further successful rounds of grant aid for the roof.

Back in 2008, whilst the spire works were underway, I had produced a feasibility study to remove the great mound of earth that surrounded the church and to extend and convert the lower ground floor into a community facility. This was to become the perfect recipient for the European money. I met with the church and local community groups and lobbied Liverpool City Council, Councillors, MP and officers.

They set a challenge; if we could build the scheme within a period of less than 12 months we could have a fund of £1.6m. However, risking my professional fees, I needed to design it, obtain all the statutory consents and a fixed price tender before they would agree to progress. I took this risk and worked hand in hand with the Council (who naturally wanted us to succeed) and in 2010 the centre was handed over on time and on budget.

FUNDING CHALLENGE

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RELATIONSHIPSBuilt by the Methodist Forward movement in 1900, the Victoria Hall is fabulous; but at risk. Whilst parts of the complex of buildings are buzzing with charitable activities, the 1,300 seat auditorium is in a challenging state.

Having obtained English Heritage aid for urgent repairs to stem its decline we are now in dialogue with HLF and Bolton Council on implementing a large redevelopment scheme.

Following completion of restoration of 18 properties at St George’s Terrace, Bolton and the reversion of the adjacent grade II*, St George’s church, from a bland 1970’s craft centre conversion to a contemporary place of worship for the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Bolton town centre, I was appointed as acting Conservation Officer for the ‘Little Bolton’ Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Elsewhere in Bolton I am engaged by St Peter’s Parish Church (respectfully referred to as Bolton Cathedral). Having prepared a Condition Report and Feasibility Study I am now developing ideas for major alterations and improvements to the public realm to increase visitor numbers and afford better connections to the town centre. A major HLF grant application is planned for the end of 2012.

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I have been working at Brecon cathedral for over ten years with Dr Geoff Worsley. He has been my mentor and guide. Geoff retired at the beginning of 2012 and we are in discussion with the Dean and Chapter over succession.

Working closely with CADW and the Cathedral and Churches Commission we have completed four phases of restoration to the medieval fabric, renewing roofs, re-building parapet gutters and undertaking structural repairs.

Internal alterations have been carried out to the complex of grade I buildings that make up the Brecon Cathedral precinct; including the Deanery, Clergy House, and the Diocesan Offices. A Heritage Centre and cafe have been sensitively inserted into the medieval Tithe barns.

Through my work at Brecon I have gained relationship with The Church in Wales and I now advise them on several projects and enjoy providing input to strategic property thinking.

THE CHURCH IN WALES

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REFERENCESRev’d DAVID PARRY, Vicar of St Michael in The Hamlet

Given my family and school boy connections I feel a particular affinity for St Michael in the Hamlet.

After several years of hectic fund-raising for the restoration of high level elements that are far from public view, the PCC has now understandably decided to focus on making improvements to the building that enhance its role in the community and provide for real needs for visitors and worship.

A balance has to be achieved and I have now opened dialogue on a new kitchenette, WC’s and alterations to the entrances. Whilst elements of the fabric are still at risk, we need to awaken people at street level to the uplifting architecture and spiritual mission inside.

Rev’d NEIL SHORTVicar of St James in the City

Neil is a great bloke from Pudsey. There’s no messing about; he says it as it is. St James in the City is just a shell, a risky one at that.

I couldn’t fail to be impressed from the moment he showed me into the church with the marquees erected inside and safety netting stretched above them.

It was like the Peter Kay advert - He shouldn’t have been too concerned about the falling plaster; it was the roof truss in danger of collapse that he really ought to have been worried about.

That truly did constitute doing ‘risky things in Christ’s service’.

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In 2010 I was appointed to be the person to create the ‘safe place’ within which Neil’s mission to rebuild the congregation was to be delivered.

It was a mission that many shared and it was wonderful to be invited to join a much larger team with the same focus and energy.

I have now assisted with two separate phases of English Heritage grant aided work and the third phase application has just been submitted.

This is likely to be a long but rewarding journey and I am delighted to play my part in it.

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INSPIRATIONSAlthough I had seen the advert in the Diocese Bulletin, it was Neil who suggested I apply for the position of cathedral architect.

I mulled it over and then last week I attended the 600 person dinner ‘The return of the Saints’ at Pugin’s wonderful Gorton Monastery. Last time I had seen it, it was derelict – but actually not much worse than St James in the City.

Terry Waite’s powerful rhetoric drew tumultuous applause – the power of people overcoming adversity was paralleled by those that had striven to rescue the building.

Neil was right.

I am inspired by the ‘Cathedral Architect Appointment Pack’ and ‘2011 Annual Report’. I have revisited the building and acted out the ‘secret shopper’. There are clear challenges ahead and I have some views on how I can assist.

I stood again in that awesome central space beneath the Tower. This time I didn’t risk it. The scouser in me wanted to lie on my back on the floor with my arms and legs outstretched.

I found the Tracey Emin a bit risky. But that’s part of the tradition of the place.

I would consider it an honour to contribute to making Liverpool Cathedral ‘a safe place to do risky things in Christ’s service’.

I can lend a safe pair of hands.

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I am married to Pam and we have a wonderful life, good friends, three sons and a daughter.

My youngest son has experienced the trip to St Michael’s and is now intent on being the fourth generation Architect.

I am a keen road cyclist, swimmer and average sailor.

I love how things go together; DIY, leaded glass windows and restoring old cars.

At 55, it’s time I took up painting again. It’s exactly 30 years since the RA Summerexhibition and I now have plenty of inspiration.

Liverpool is an inspirational place; its cathedral an awesome resource.

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Alex FinlasonPickard Finlason PartnershipBeech House1 Cambridge RoadHaleCheshireWA15 9SYT: 0161 929 4422F: 0161 929 4433alexf@pickardfinlasonpartnership.co.ukwww.pickardfinlasonpartnership.co.uk

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