Curiculum Vitae

John Francis Bucknall Dip.Arch (Oxford) RIBA

John Francis Bucknall Architect

Bramble Cottage

Pound Fold

Croscombe

Wells

Somerset

BA5 3QY

 

 

Personal Statement

While training I worked with practices in the Cotswolds in the Arts and Crafts tradition and also with offices in London and California on entirely contemporary design.

Following the SPAB travelling scholarship studying the conservative repair of historic buildings I worked as an Associate with Rodney Melville of Leamington Spa on a wide range of projects in the Midlands. I was job architect on two major repair projects for the National Trust at Canons Ashby and Calke Abbey. I also worked for the Trust at Hardwick Hall, Wightwick Manor, Moseley Old Hall, Hanbury Hall and elsewhere. I repaired many churches, most notably St Alban, Conybere Street, Birmingham and St Nicholas, Nuneaton. I also worked on many churches for the Churches Conservation Trust including St Nicholas, Gloucester, All Saints, Spetchley and St Mary Magdalene, Battlefield. Other projects included the Orangery at Castle Bromwich Hall and designs for new interiors and garden buildings at Sutton Place.

Whilst I was with Rodney Melville I undertook a number of commissions for the Landmark Trust including Swarkestone Pavilion and the East Banqueting house Chipping Campden, both major repairs to ruinous structures involving conversion to Landmark use. These projects combine demanding challenges of historic building conservation with the need to provide the users of the building with attractive and modern servicing and facilities.

In 1989 I left Rodney Melville to join the Landmark Trust full-time, as their Architectural Advisor. This involved over-seeing the completion of 35 projects over a period of five years. The most complex was the repair of the noble Villa Saraceno near Vicenza, Italy, an early work of the great Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio. This fine building was derelict but it is now in use again and its contemporary plasters and frescoes have been fully repaired. Working with Francesco Doglioni I incorporated modern bathrooms and kitchens together with heating and electrical services into an historic fabric of international importance. The repairs and improvements have won significant awards. Other projects included the house in Vermont built by Rudyard Kipling where he wrote "The Jungle Book”. Back in Italy I worked with Italian architects on the apartment of Robert and Elizabeth Browning in Florence.

 

From 1994 until 1998 I was an Associate with Caroe & Partners in their Wells office. I undertook major church repair projects for the Churches Conservation Trust at St Nonna, Bradstone and St Martin, Exeter. I was commissioned to carry out new interiors to the fine neo-classical bank and house of C Hoare & Company in Fleet Street, London. Conservation projects have included Beckford’s Tower in Bath and the Bridgewater Monument in Tring. I prepared major reports on the condition of Godolphin House near Helston, Kings Weston near Bristol and Sherborne Old Castle.

 

I set up my own practice in 1998 working from Wells. I have designed the carved and painted decoration for the new organ case in the Palace of Westminster. I developed a sketch by A.W.N.Pugin and worked with carvers and specialist painters in its realisation. I am now inspecting architect for six churches in Devon for The Churches Conservation Trust and have recently completed major repairs to the ancient church of Saint Petrock at Parracombe. I am inspecting architect to a number of parish churches in the Diocese of Bath & Wells. I am currently involved in several re-ordering projects in parish churches intended to provide for the needs of contemporary worship in sensitive historic interiors. I also work on the repair and alteration of private houses.

 

I have been an active member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings since 1978 and serve on their Education Committee. I am a co-founder of the William Morris Craft Fellowship and serve on the Fellowship Selection Committee.

 

I have lectured on historic building matters at the Universities of York, Venice, Oxford, Bristol, Plymouth and Milwaukee. I have been a speaker on the SPAB’s Repair Courses. I have delivered lectures on Statements of Significance and Principles of Re-ordering to EASA/English Heritage and Bath & Wells Diocesan Architects.

 

I am a full member of the Diocesan Advisory Committee of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. This work involves me constantly with reconciling the needs of ancient buildings with the necessary changes that will infuse them with new life.

 

Practice Statement

New Design Alterations and Extensions to Existing Buildings which respond in design and the use of materials to local traditions. Designs which respond to, and integrate with, earlier projects.

Buildings which respond to the specific brief of individual clients.

Design for Historic Buildings Work which reveals and enhances an existing building by interpreting what is fine in its existing design and the fine craftsmanship of its fabric.

To develop with imagination the buildings of the past and reveal them for the pleasure and comfort of new generations.

 

Harmony of Design is of great importance to many patrons: the brief at the Palace of Westminster was for a painted Gothic organ case in the manner of Pugin which would integrate with the ancient Chapel of Saint Mary Undercroft. A fine early 19^th Century bank in the city of London, C Hoare & Co, commissioned a new design for a museum and reception rooms which harmonised with their neo-classical building interiors. In neither case was it desirable to slavishly copy original detail but the spirit of the original was imaginatively interpreted in the context of the brief.

 

In repairing houses and churches I seek to recognise the importance of materials and traditional craftsmansip. The approach to repairis rooted in the principles of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and is one that endeavours to retain ancient fabric in preference to replacement. In re-arranging church interiors it is always my objective to seek out what is best and enhance them in providing an appropriate setting for changing liturgical needs.

 

 

For a full Curriculum Vitae, further details of any of the projects described and for references please apply to Johm Francis Bucknall by clicking here and fillling the enquiry form.