"Architecture in Conservation" addresses the problems museums and heritage organizations face in their attempts to adapt old buildings and historic sites to meet the needs of both administrators and visitors. More specifically, this book discusses how to integrate new buildings into historic sites. James Strike answers for example, the question of how to create a visitors' center at Stonehenge.
These problems become still more complex when budgets are minimal and when damage to the environment or setting is a distinct possibility. "Architecture in Conservation" argues that members of the heritage industry must respond sensitively to the limitations or potential of the environment. The book contains a number of international case studies which illustrate both good and bad examples of building practice and is a helpful handbook for those commissioning heritage work.

One of the problems faced by heritage organizations and museums is adapting old buildings to their needs or building new ones to fit in with historic sites. How exactly do you create a visitor's centre at Stonehenge? The real difficulty lies where the budget is minimal, and the potential damage to the environment or setting enormous. Architecture in Conservation looks at the need of the heritage industry to respond sensitively to the limitations or potentials of the environment. James Strike explains the strategies for producing new development at historic sites, examining the philosophy of conservation practive and stressing the importance of taking into account the characteristics of each individual site. He explains the way in which the methods of producing good developments relate to our very perception of history, and addresses the practical problems involved in developing appropriate sites, including the current architectural interest in pastiche versus modern design. Case studies from around the world demonstrate the potential of each approach. James Strike draws on his broad experience as an architect at English Heritage to show that a sensitive approach to these issues can unlock conservation problems and open up new opportunities for architectural expansion. Architecture in conservation will be of considerable interest to site owners and architects responsible for site development, and to students of architecture, history and building practice and is intended as a handbook for those responsible for commissioning heritage work.