Drastic changes will give life to Institute
IT'S not surprising that conservation groups don't like the plans for the former Commonwealth Institute building, as the proposed changes are drastic. Much will be demolished, and much will be altered.
If it were a Victorian church or a Georgian mansion there would be no question of treating it in this way.
But the building is a Sixties work, much of which is very ordinary. Many of its architect's intentions were compromised, and there are better works of architecture that are not protected by listing.
It is also an awkward structure, defying many attempts to find new uses. It is only the unusual roof of its central pavilion which stands out and which justifies its listing as a building of architectural interest.
The proposals give new life to this pavilion by moving the Design Museum there, and will allow visitors to enjoy its architectural form in new ways.
In theory all listed buildings are the same and should be treated the same way. In practice modern listed buildings need to be dealt with differently: it can take a long time to discover what does and does not work in a building, and sometimes major changes are the best way of ensuring their future.
In the end the question is this: will the proposed changes improve or damage the architectural quality of this part of Kensington? I believe they will increase it.
