Thank you to the Daily Post for this great article, and what a wonderful job Elgan Jones is doing.

Elgan Jones has worked on the region’s famous castles over the years but says buildings and streetscapes at the heart of communities are of equal importance

A conservation architect that has worked on castles, mansions, and a pier says that protecting and restoring Wales’ historic buildings is critical to preserve the nation’s history and provide places for communities to continue to meet.

Elgan Jones works for Donald Insall Associates, an architect and historic buildings consultants with a long history of working in North Wales.

While Elgan has worked on the region’s famous castles over the years, he said of equal importance were those historic buildings and streetscapes at the heart of communities, from the farmhouses of well known families to historic pubs and other public buildings.

The practice also recently completed work on the redeveloped Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier – a landmark Elgan says is “embedded” in the fabric and history of the town.

He said: “We work on such a diverse range of projects.

“It’s not just about Conwy castle, Caernarfon castle, it’s those remote farmhouses or vernacular structures that are equally important and often more at risk because they are overlooked.

“These are absolutely critical, not just in the buildings’ regional historic building techniques but it tells us a lot about the social history and culture and wider aspects, not just specific to that bricks and mortar of the building.

“It is especially true for buildings like the Victoria Pier which is so embedded into the town.

“A country house has an important role in talking about the history of families while the key with buildings like the pier is that it was fundamental to the design of the town, the main draw for people to Colwyn Bay and the catalyst for its growth.

“The layout of the town and railway station has a strong relationship with the pier.

“Conserving those buildings is fundamental to the town’s regeneration.

“Following the recent completion of the ‘truncated pier’ the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust are exploring wider opportunities for the pier and their aspiration is to extend the pier.

“We have been appointed by the trust to assist in exploring these and there are some really interesting ideas being considered.

“Activity down at the waterfront will have wider benefits to the town and region.

“Another similar project is Holyhead market – the project will help regenerate the town centre and bring people back into the centre. It then attracts other investment.”

Sir Donald Insall founded the company in 1958 and was chairman until 1998. He continues to play an active role within the firm.

On qualifying as an architect in 2013, Elgan was awarded the same scholarship from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings as Sir Donald undertook in 1950. This was an intensive nine month programme travelling all around the country and abroad - spending time with different architects and craftsmens to broaden his conservation understanding.

He joined company in 2018 after previously being involved with the conservation of Yr Ysgwrn, the farmstead of the bard Hedd Wynn in Trawsfynydd.

While extremely rewarding the senior architect said there are many challenges working on conversation and restoration projects.

He added: “The challenge is finding a viable use that gives them a sustainable future without impacting the character or integrity of the historic building and site.

“It’s not just about the conservation of the fabric, it’s understanding how they can be adapted for future uses.

“Those uses also need to be underpinned by a sustainable business plan and funding strategy.

“When authorities go down the compulsory purchase route to tackle dilapidated and at risk historic buildings they sometimes need a back-to-back agreement with a third party who have demonstrated that they have the funds for the repair and an appropriate use for the building.

“Our role will often involve assessing the buildings condition, scheduling the urgent works and exploring appropriate uses for the building.

“When working with listed buildings there are often a number of interested parties, organisations and consultants which should be involved in the work throughout the lifespan of a project, managing the differing views, aspirations and approaches can often be a challenge when working historic buildings.

“A collaborative approach and early consultation is key to the success of any project.”

The firm works closely with heritage body Cadw.

Elgan said: “We are currently working at Harlech and Conwy Castle looking at opportunities to manage and design out risks associated with visitor access to historic sites.

“A key challenge is ensuring safety without adversely impacting the character or fabric of the building and the wider views to and from the site.”

They have also been involved with some redevelopment work, like at Porth Mawr the Grade I-listed gatehouse in Caernarfon.

Following the recent programme of repairs, works will soon start on the next phase to incorporate holiday accommodation and improved public access on to Caernarfon’s town walls.

Close by, the firm has just finished Antur Waunfawr’s bike rental facility and studio space – Beics Antur – a complex project due to its proximity to the Porth yr Aur Gatehouse and historic town walls and a building that will bring economic and social benefits to the town.

Another one at the heart of a community is Tafarn y Plu pub in Llanystumdwy, near Criccieth.

The site was taken on by a community enterprise created by villagers.

“The ideas is to make subtle alterations to the building to increase flexibility and use whilst retaining the qualities of a traditional pub” said Elgan.

“This will allow the building to continue contributing socially to the community of Llanystumdwy as it has done for so many years.

“When the building was put up for sale, the risk of it being developed into other uses posed a real threat to the community.

“Small projects, but they have such an important role.”

On the qualities needed to succeed in conservation and restoration, he added: “You have to have that passion, interest and willingness to want to save a building because it can be is a long process.”

To read the article see HERE