[HBP#31] - James Kenton - Conservation Secrets with a National Trust Architect

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Welcome to another episode of the Heritage Buildings Podcast.

In this special first on-site episode, Vincent Reed visits Scotney Castle to sit down with James Kenton, a National Trust senior building surveyor and conservation architect.

James shares his journey from a farming background to discovering his passion for architecture through school work experience, university at Portsmouth, and trips to historic sites like Rome. He explains the path to becoming a conservation architect, including accreditation (AABC and RIBA) and professional qualifications.

Discover the day-to-day work of a National Trust surveyor, from compliance and condition reporting to long-term planning and climate impact management. James also highlights church inspections, quinquennial surveys, and major projects at Chartwell, including stabilising Churchill’s kitchen garden walls and refurbishing the uniform room.

Other topics covered include:

Early career challenges during the 2008 credit crunchTrades skills, apprenticeships, and the future of craftsmanship in an AI-driven worldBalancing duty of care, project budgets, and return on investmentWork culture and learning opportunities during COVID and furloughPublications, BBC filming at Sissinghurst, and sharing expertise with the public

Whether you’re a heritage professional, architecture student, or simply curious about historic buildings and conservation, this episode offers invaluable insights into preserving historic places for future generations.

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