The Creation, Role and Recent Activities of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF)

By Robbie Kerr, a Trustee of CHF

A little over a year ago, the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF) was launched at Australia House in London to help countries and communities fighting to save the Commonwealth’s architectural heritage that is at risk of being lost. The work of Edwin Lutyens in New Delhi is a key example as is his Johannesburg Art Gallery, the latter built in two phases, the first completed in 1915, the second in the late 1930s. CHF brings together various interest groups in the hope that their combined knowledge would help turn the tide for many threatened sites in the UK and around the world.

The Commonwealth embraces one-third of the world’s population across 54 countries and has a unique, collective history and built heritage. CHF, which is based on Devonshire Street in London, was established to celebrate, promote and raise greater awareness of this remarkable shared legacy. Across the Commonwealth, from Asia to Africa, from Australia to the Americas, stand examples of some of the most important architecture and engineering from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. These include not only wonderful vice-regal palaces and splendid memorials but ports, warehouses, bridges, homes and botanic gardens – all united by the Commonwealth in all its diversity. These represent a unique global heritage of immense significance that is under huge pressure. Far too little research has been carried out about this, and it is understood by only a small group of passionate individuals. CHF provides a forum to bring them together, share their experiences and knowledge and hopefully help others tackle recurring challenges.

It is particularly special to see how bricks and mortar, designed by army engineers, architects or local builders, were imbued by local artisans and people with motifs that reflect the culture within each of these Commonwealth countries. Some of these might have underlying characteristics in common but they have been adapted to different cultural traditions. Is it a stretch to suggest that the humble cartwheels adapted for basic construction over doors or as decorative persiennes to allow cooling breezes to filter into grander homes and then perhaps assimilated back in Britain as decorative fanlights may be a transmission of thinking across the Commonwealth? Indeed, it boasts an extraordinary, shared heritage, built by diverse peoples across the world over many generations that must be celebrated and protected.

CHF has four main objectives. The first is to help local organisations and communities prepare registers of Commonwealth heritage at risk and support communities determined to save vulnerable historic buildings and places. To achieve this, we’re working closely with Oxford Brookes University and Texas A&M University to gather the data and deliver the programme. CHF is in the process of developing pilot projects in three Commonwealth countries, starting with Barbados. This will involve working with local heritage bodies to train young people and volunteers in specialist techniques and survey skills. In turn, this will bolster local skills and employment and enhance local capacity and resilience.

The second objective is to support Commonwealth communities as they face the common challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate change and sustainability requirements. Re-using historic buildings and the embodied energy they contain is a crucial aspect of sustainable development. Experience of how to do this needs to be shared. As a result, we can all learn from each other and become better stewards of our shared common inheritance.

Thirdly, CHF is creating a digital hub linking all its members, thereby providing access to best practice, advice and professional expertise for those places most in need. The CHF has also set up an International Advisory Committee that both ensures this hub reflects issues from around the Commonwealth and helps to create an inclusive, international network. Fourth and finally, we are advancing research, education and scholarship in the architectural and engineering heritage of the Commonwealth and its man-made landscapes.

The UK is a world leader in the breadth and depth of its conservation skills and expertise. However, our architectural perspective remains narrow and Anglocentric, blind to the wider legacy across the world. The time has come to raise our eyes to wider horizons. The heritage sector has a crucial role to play both in the Commonwealth and as part of the UK government’s commitment to a global Britain. The Commonwealth Charter resolves to share experience through practical cooperation. This is exactly what the CHF is doing but to continue we need help and support, and encouraging people to become members is one important step towards receiving this.

For more information about CHF, visit www.commonwealthheritage.org.