Every building has a story to tell: using architectural history to design the future

Dr Helen Lawrence Beaton is the senior architectural historian at ADAM Architecture, where she has spent more than 20 years leading our historic research, as well as writing heritage statements, pattern books and local character studies.

She heads a team of experienced historians who undertake the research which underpins our work on historic buildings. We spoke to her about her role and its importance within the practice.

What does an architectural historian do?

We are a bit like detectives. I spend my days exploring properties, unpicking their evolution over time, identifying and dating original features and taking research trips to various archives.

I write up my findings in a report illustrated with plans, drawings and photographs identifying key phases in the building’s evolution, such as the addition or removal of new wings or alterations to a staircase.

How do you become an architectural historian?

I trained in art history before specialising in architectural and garden history, and I am lucky enough to have been employed as a full-time member of staff here at ADAM since first leaving university. Find out more about Helen’s background

What’s the best thing about researching architectural history?

I still get a buzz from unearthing something new – whether a dusty historic photograph or an engraving that hasn’t seen the light of day for decades, graffiti drawn by Second World War soldiers in the basement of a country house, or a hand-drawn estate map that captures an image of a Tudor house before it was radically refaced by the Georgians.

Why does a project need an architectural historian?

Deeper understanding of a building’s history directly informs the design process. It can reveal the narrative and tell hidden stories, which in turn can guide the next phase of a property’s life.

For example, if we want to extend a house, research might uncover what’s already been altered and is therefore more suitable for further intervention. Conversely, it might help to identify the older, more historically significant parts so we can protect and restore them. Sometimes, original features that had been covered over for centuries can be revealed and celebrated once more.

Can architectural history research help with listed building consent and the planning process?

Good research conducted at the outset can save historic homeowners a substantial amount of time and money, helping them achieve the home that they want and ensuring the best outcome for the building.

We’ve had great success with interventions and changes to historic buildings, even with those listed Grade I – the highest level of protection – because our research has been seen to be so thorough.

My work helps us to open a dialogue with local authorities and conservation officers, which can streamline the process of securing listed building consent and planning permission.

How does historic research guide urban planning and design?

We know that most people want to live in characterful buildings that are in harmony with the place in which they are built. Historic analysis helps us to design places and masterplans that are sensitive to the local character. This is good news for developers as it often adds financial value to the new homes.

I carry out analysis of the existing local architecture around a site, exploring a place on foot and photographing details. Admittedly this can lead to some strange looks, but it helps me to get to the crux of what makes a place unique.

I also look at historic maps to find out how settlements have grown over the centuries. This work often highlights distinctive materials or quirks in local building techniques. The findings direct our designs, allowing us to create new houses that are sensitive to their context, and to form more unusual site layouts that mirror previous patterns of growth in the town or village.

When I started out, local character studies and pattern books were pioneering and a rarity. They are now recognised as best practice in urbanism and master planning, showing just how much housebuilding is changing.

So next time you see a woman in wellies in your village, studiously photographing granite kerbstones or a window keystone, I hope you won’t feel suspicious – it’s probably just me going about my business.

My historic research isn’t just about past. It can often be the key to unlocking a building or site’s future for the next 100 years.