Urban Splash group chief executive Jonathan Falkingham on refurbishing 20th century residential

BD Mag - Refurbishment - October 08

‘The sixties is the hardest nut to crack’

What would make it easier to refurbish or convert notable but undervalued buildings?

Ownership of buildings is the biggest challenge. Getting significant buildings into public ownership is a good first step. The public sector is often interested in saving the building and looking for a partner to do it. VAT legislation could be more flexible. If you’re converting a non-residential building back to residential, you have VAT, which you don’t have on new-build.

Do you think there is a growing public understanding of the merits of 20th century buildings?

I think so. In the UK, we don’t get much education on modernism and how it fits into the history of architecture. There is an increase in knowledge through lifestyle magazines. But modern architecture of the sixties is the hardest nut to crack.

What 20th century building would you like to get your hands on?

There are loads: the Tate & Lyle sugar warehouse in Liverpool, the Boots factory in Nottingham, and some of the great social housing blocks in London such as Robin Hood Gardens.

How’s the Park Hill refurbishment coming along?

Good. We’re doing enabling works and it’s starting to look very dramatic as we clear out all the old tat and get back to the concrete skeleton of the frame.

What impact has the economic crisis been having on Park Hill and other projects?

Everyone’s affected. The shift of focus [away from buy-to-let] is actually for the best because the buy-to-let model of driving regeneration is a bit clumsy.