The 2024 Peach Lecture Jonathan ‘Jo’ Deeming BArch DipArch MArch RIBA SCA AABC RIBA Chartered Architect, Partner Purcell, Surveyor to the Fabric of Canterbury Cathedral (Note: 6:30 PM start at the University of Leicester)

The lecture is free to both visitors and members of the Society.

Visitors should register for a free ticket if they wish to attend in person or watch it on Zoom.

The lecture will be followed by a reception.

The lecture will be held at the The University of Leicester, Freemans Common campus, Sir Bob Burgess Lecture Theatre 2.  A map showing the location of the building is available here.  If you are intending to drive, the  Freemen's Common multi-storey car park is very close. 

Lecture outline

Following the most intensive period of investment in the Cathedral and its precinct since the start of the last century, Jo will look back at some of the highlights, exploring the ‘sweet spot’ of design for conserving living heritage, where the balance of engineering necessity with aesthetic beauty and conservation of the spirit of place is constantly in flux.

In this lecture, Jo will explore some of the surprising discoveries made during the last ten years, and even more surprising technologies employed to solve design challenges, including for a deteriorating 12th century iron space frame, failing flying buttresses, overloaded monastic drainage network and the contemporary debate concerning ‘repair of repairs’.

Jo will finish by looking forward to the next period, as the Cathedral needs to ever better align with the realities of climate change and the Church of England’s commitment to reaching carbon net zero by 2030.

Biographical note

A conservation accredited architect, Jo commenced his role as Surveyor to the Fabric of Canterbury Cathedral in January 2014. The Surveyor’s responsibilities encompass all matters pertaining to the care and development of the fabric and collections. Following the award-winning restoration of the Cathedral’s Great South Window in 2017, he led the conservation of the Nave and West Towers and Christ Church Gate, and oversaw the introduction of a new Quire Organ, Visitor Welcome Centre and new precinct landscaping.

Jo is Regional Partner for the North at Purcell Architecture Ltd, a practice he has worked with since his undergraduate degree at the University of Nottingham.  He now works principally as a conservation architect, with retained advisory roles for several organisations including the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and the Drapers Livery Company.

Jo is a Commissioner for the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, and has previously acted as assessor for the RIBA’s Conservation Register and Regional Awards.  He is visiting lecturer for the University of Kent’s architecture and conservation programmes and runs Purcell’s in-house Conservation School.  He lives in the Yorkshire Dales with his wife Louise (also a Cathedral Architect), daughter Elspeth and dog Toby.