image: Sir Donald Insall at the IHBC Annual School 2010
The IHBC has offered its sympathies on the passing of ‘a pioneering architect, conservationist, town planner, author, teacher…’ and much more, as we mark his death in his centenary year.
IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Donald Insall. He was truly a giant in UK building conservation. Not only did he lead a pre-eminent architectural practice, but he also from his earliest days had a great appreciation of the wider values and benefits of the conservation of places.’
‘Donald’s seminal work on Chester in the late1960s remains a classic and provided inspiration to me and many others at the start of their careers. He will be greatly missed’.
IHBC President Rebecca Thompson said: ‘This is terribly sad news for us, and for anyone who cares for historic buildings and places.
He was ahead of his time in terms of conservation and restoration, and a huge and positive influence on all conservation approaches to heritage.’
Donald Insall Associates writes:
With great sadness, we announce the death of our founder Sir Donald Insall CBE: a pioneering architect, conservationist, town planner, author, teacher, father and beloved husband.
He founded his company – our company – Donald Insall Associates in 1958 with fellow SPAB Lethaby Scholar, Peter Locke (1929-2012), from his kitchen table in a small flat off Belgrave Square. The practice grew significantly under his guidance, he was a pioneer of conservation (a radical idea in 1958, of keeping the good, even if it was old, when the post war fashion was to sweep away and rebuild). Donald’s vast portfolio of projects includes the conservation of the House of Lords ceiling and the post-fire restoration of Windsor Castle. A staunch champion of conservation over preservation, the latter of which, he famously said: ‘…is what you do to marmalade!’
His landmark 1968 report, Chester: A Study in Conservation, showed how the best from the past should be conserved to retain character, a sense of place and joy, and in order to enable positive changes in the city. This led to Donald’s appointment as the first Conservation Consultant for the City of Chester, a precedent of the role that we know today as the Conservation Officer within local authorities.
While Donald stepped down from the role of Chairman of the company in 1998, he remained an active consultant to the practice until his death, and it was only about a decade ago that he stopped commuting to our central London studio on his BMW motorbike. He was adamant that he would know each and every new colleague by name, even when he was unable to travel to the studio in his later years.
You will be greatly missed, Donald. May we continue to uphold your values into the future – in particular, to ‘bring forth the best’ in both people and buildings.
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