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Welcome to another episode of the Heritage Buildings Podcast!

In this episode of the Heritage Buildings podcast, host Vincent Reed sits down with Charles Bain-Smith, a senior building conservation manager at the National Trust. A RIBA chartered architect and SCA accredited conservation specialist, Charles shares his journey from a three-year-old boy witnessing the dramatic demolition of an 18th century tar mill to becoming a leading figure in architectural conservation.

Charles delves into his experiences working on various restoration projects, his insights on the dynamic nature of heritage conservation, and his reflections on the importance of preserving the 'ness' of places like Hastings' old fishing port.

Whether you're an enthusiast of architectural history or curious about the future of building conservation, this conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

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Below is a more detailed breakdown of the video with relevant timestamps

Click the time on the left to jump straight to that section

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:52 Early Inspirations and First Act of Conservation

05:43 Spiritual Connection to Heritage

06:36 Involvement with Chillingham Wild Cattle

08:59 Durham Cathedral and the Love of Craftsmanship

14:19 Early Career and Mentorship

23:37 Hands-On Experience and Passion for Timber

31:23 Starting a Practice and Team Collaboration

42:18 Creative Evenings and the 2000 Crash

43:17 Joining the Creative Folkestone Scene

45:12 Maintaining Friendships in Architecture

46:30 Transition to the National Trust

48:06 Exploring Employment Opportunities

49:42 Architects vs. Surveyors

53:24 National Trust Projects and Challenges

01:04:53 Traveling Across the UK for the National Trust

01:07:23 Standout Projects: Sissinghurst and Yard House

01:17:58 Unexpected Challenges on Site

01:19:14 Gaining Respect Through Practical Skills

01:20:21 Balancing Leadership and Client Expectations

01:21:48 The Importance of Craftsmanship

01:24:33 Preserving the Spirit of Places

01:38:24 Advice for Aspiring Conservationists

01:40:50 The Role of AI in Conservation

01:45:17 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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Connect with Charles Bain-Smith and learn more:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bain-smith-a495672/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithcharlesbain/

Email: charles@cymaarchitects.co.uk

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

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Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association:

https://heritagebuildingsassociation.com

Join the conversation:

https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual

#HeritageConservation #ArchitecturalRestoration #NationalTrust