SACRED SPACES: new architect appointed for Cathedral of St John the Baptist,, Norwich
The Diocese of East Anglia has appointed award-winning Conservation Architect Nicholas Warns as the new Architect (Surveyor of the Works) at St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich.
Nicholas will have overall responsibility for advising the Bishop and the Trustees of the Diocese on all aspects of the fabric of the cathedral, the second biggest Catholic cathedral in the country.
He will be responsible for Quinquennial (five-yearly) Inspections of the cathedral and subsequent reports. Reporting to the Bishop and Trustees on works carried out during the year, progress made with implementing recommendations, and any other matters relevant to the care and conservation of the Cathedral.
Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Peter Collins, said: “We are delighted to have appointed someone with such wide experience and knowledge of historic churches to this key role with the cathedral, which is central to much of what happens in the diocese.”
Nicholas has been a Guardian of the Society for the Protection Ancient Buildings, and before that a ‘Commissioned Architect’ for English Heritage advising on, and overseeing grant aided projects. More recently he has worked on the Grants Committee of the National Churches Trust and has been an Architect Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) for 10 years
Nicholas said: “I have studied and worked on historic buildings, including cathedrals, over many years, so I appreciate the craftsmanship and materials, and also the religious and social significance of buildings like St John’s Cathedral. I work and live in Norwich, as well as growing up here, so I have a close association for the city and its buildings and institutions. To be appointed architect to St John’s Cathedral is a great honour.”
