The Economics of Country Houses

The Economics of Country Houses

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Christopher Ridgway, Head Curator of Castle Howard. They discuss the economic pressures on country houses, how these have changed over time and why a house needs to be a business of businesses. Why is the archive so important? What is an environmental bank? They explore what it means today to keep a country house alive.

The Philosophy of Listing

Historian and heritage expert Simon Thurley joins Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi to discuss why and how we impose listed building controls. Why do we treat the public art of architecture so differently to privately owned artworks? What exactly are we trying to protect, and do we get it right – is it fair?

The Cultural Gifts Scheme

Richard Harwood KC of 39 Essex Chambers and Clarissa Levi of Wedlake Bell speak to Michael Clarke and Sarah Posey about the Cultural Gifts Scheme – why we have it, how it works, and the effect it has. They discuss their favourite CGS gifts so far and possible changes ahead.

Private Property and the Protection of our Heritage

Richard Harwood KC and Clarissa Levi are joined by Lord Inglewood to discuss the balance between private ownership of our heritage property and state intervention. We ask how to make the protection of our heritage financially sustainable, what works well in the current system, and what needs to be strengthened.

The Importance of Recent Buildings

Heritage, and architectural and artistic interest in particular, does not need to be old. Richard Harwood and Clarissa Levi talk to Catherine Croft, the Director of the Twentieth Century Society, about some of the masterpieces of the last 40 years. Ranging from Southwark tube station on the Jubilee Line, Number One Poultry, to Dame Elisabeth Frink’s Desert Quartet and Peter Barber’s social housing, they ask how we assess and recognise recent architecture. They also ask: do architects like their work to be made listed buildings? The Twentieth Century Society is the National Amenity Society for post-1914 buildings. It’s Coming of Age campaign looks at buildings reaching 30 years old, which is the usual threshold for listing.