JANE JONES-WARNER

Jane qualified as an architect over 30 years ago and has had a career focused on building conservation.  It was during the National Trust project at Uppark, West Sussex, after their devastating fire in 1989, that Jane’s interest for conservation became a passion.  She was based on-site for three years with The Conservation Practice, acquiring a selection of skills that formed a firm foundation for the development of her career.

Jane set up her own practice in 1993, working on numerous projects in the Sussex area, including many large conservation projects such as an extensive maintenance and repair programme at Firle Place and conservation repairs to Cowdray Ruins.  Equally, Jane works on smaller timber framed, stone or brick structures, agricultural buildings such as Knepp and Marchett Barns, buildings at Amberley Museum including the Smithy and the Bagmeders Shed, conversion of estate cottages and additions and alterations to often listed private houses.

In addition, Jane has been inspecting architect to churches throughout the region and currently oversees over 30 churches, the majority of which are Grade I and Grade II.  Works have included repairs, extensions, and re-ordering schemes, including large conservation projects at St Nicholas Church, Arundel and St Mary’s church, Thakeham and the Horsham Stone re-roofing project at St John’s Church, Kirdford.

Jane’s work won several Sussex Heritage Trust awards with her practice over the years across multiple categories including Ecclesiastical and Small Scale Residential.  In 2020, the extensive conservation roof repair project at West Dean College won a Public and Community Award, with Jane as project architect.  One of the most challenging aspects of this project was enabling the full-time, residential College to continue to operate throughout the works, 364 days a year.  The judges at the time said,

“Superb restoration of an historic building using appropriate traditional materials.”

Jane’s CV speaks for itself, demonstrating her enthusiasm for the specialism.  Professional accolades include RIBA Specialist Conservation Architect, Architect Accredited in Building Conservation, member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and member of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association.

After years of putting her knowledge and skills into practice, Jane’s passion for conservation has led her to wider roles outside of her practice.  Chair of RIBA Steering Group for the Conservation Register, Assessor for the RIBA on their Conservation Register, judge for the RIBA Regional Awards as their conservation expert, specialist consultancy role as an Historic Buildings Architect to English Heritage, Chair of the Portsmouth Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee and a member of Chichester Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Fabric of Churches for over 12 years.  Most recently she has been appointed as a Trustee at the Weald and Downland Living Museum.

There is no doubt that Jane’s extraordinary contribution to conservation in Sussex has foundations in her skills and knowledge in the conservation field and the relationships she has made with craftspeople, contractors and professionals alike.  Laurence Hall, a partner at Jane Jones-Warner Associates, joined Jane’s practice straight from University and has worked with her for over 15 years put forward this nomination.  He said, “I had not been taught the importance and benefit of historic buildings or traditional methods of building in the classroom, however the knowledge Jane has shared with me, and other colleagues, over the years has lead me in turn to enjoy learning the art and science behind conservation principles and our historic buildings.”