Unlocking Heritage Potential: Expert Insight

As interest in historic homes grows, clear guidance is increasingly important to help adapt and care for them while respecting their heritage value.

To explore this further, we invited a heritage specialist to share her perspective on the realities of working with historic properties. Our guest contributor is Jennifer Cooke, a heritage consultant at Smith Jenkins. Jennifer advises homeowners, architects and developers on how to navigate heritage policy, planning requirements and conservation considerations, helping projects move forward while respecting the significance of historic buildings.

What is the single most common misconception about working with listed buildings or in conservation areas?

That the listing protection only applies to the external elements of the building and not the internal elements too. Even modern additions are covered, but it doesn’t necessarily mean all elements hold equal significance – the key is to identify the parts that are of special interest and use that to help inform change.

In terms of conservation areas, many people assume that owning a property in a conservation area means it’s effectively “frozen in time,” but that isn’t the case. Conservation areas are about managing change, not preventing it. The aim is to preserve or enhance the overall character and appearance of the area, not to stop development to existing or in fact, brand new development altogether.

Local authorities, guided by principles set out by organisations such as Historic England, generally support well-designed alterations and extensions. The key is that proposals need to be thoughtful, proportionate, and sympathetic to the surrounding context in terms of scale, materials, detailing, and impact on the streetscape.

What was it about the world of heritage and conservation that first captured your interest and led you to make it your career?

Well…. I started out as a commercial lawyer, and I had a 14-year career in private practice and in-house in a large telco. Whilst there were a lot of things I enjoyed about it, I was on maternity leave and on a day out with my now 11-year-old son at a National Trust property and realised how much I liked historic buildings. I’d previously studied history before converting to law and had always lived in older buildings.

So, I took the plunge and decided to study a masters in heritage management and conservation at York University. It was a guest lecturer on that course that gave a talk on the heritage opportunities and constraints of developing the student union at Durham University. Hearing the lecturer speak about how the building needed to be maintained and respond to the changing needs of the university, whilst respecting its special interest, all against a backdrop of legislation, policy and financial viability made me realise that the role of heritage consultant was not only fascinating – but a good fit for my previous experience.

So, instead of spending my working day at a desk or negotiating a client contract, I get to visit some beautiful buildings and locations. I really enjoy working with owners, designers and other specialists to help interpret the relevant policy and guidance, and develop a property whilst respecting its significance.

At what stage should an architect engage a heritage consultant? What are the benefits of bringing in that expertise early on in the design process?

Ideally a heritage consultant is engaged at the early stages of feasibility to help understand the existing context and identify where the special interest of the heritage asset lies. This can include initial thoughts on a client scope, so they can get an idea of whether what they would like to do will be possible, or a bit more difficult to achieve.

We do a lot of pre-purchase due diligence appraisals, which not only help buyers identify if the vendor has done any unauthorised works, but also help them make an informed decision about whether they want to proceed with the purchase. It may be that if they can’t achieve the layout or extension they would like they may consider other properties.

What is your approach for balancing the preservation of a building’s historic significance with a client’s desire for a modern, functional home?

For me it always starts with understanding the building’s significance. Before making any design decisions, I take time to identify what gives the building its special interest, whether that’s historic fabric, key architectural features, craftsmanship, or its spatial arrangement. Guidance from organisations like Historic England reinforces the importance of assessing significance first and then designing around it. At the same time, I work with the client to understand how they want to live. A historic home still needs to function for contemporary life, whether that means improved layouts, more natural light, upgraded services, or better connections between spaces. My role is to find solutions that respect the building while meeting those needs.

In practice, I prioritise retaining and repairing original fabric wherever possible, because once it’s lost, it can’t truly be replaced. When new interventions are required, I work with the design team to make sure they are sympathetic in scale, proportion, and material. That doesn’t negate contemporary design, as the old and new can create a stronger architectural approach, which helps to show the evolution of the building. Often a much more successful approach than opting for the pastiche.

I also try to focus more substantial changes in areas of lesser significance and wherever possible, design interventions can be reversible, so future generations have options. Ultimately, I see it as a collaborative and carefully balanced process. With thoughtful design, it’s entirely possible to create a modern, functional home that still celebrates and preserves its historic character.

How can sustainability and energy efficiency be sensitively and successfully integrated into historic homes?

Integrating sustainability into historic homes is about upgrading performance without compromising significance. The goal isn’t to make an 18th-century house behave like a new passive house but to improve comfort, reduce energy use and protect the building fabric, while respecting its special interest. Historic buildings often perform differently than modern ones, they “breathe,” meaning moisture movement must be carefully managed.

I’d say the key to integrating sustainability into historic homes is starting with a “fabric first” approach, as advised by bodies like Historic England. From there, I’d focus on careful insulation – prioritising roof and floor insulation – because they’re high-impact and visually unobtrusive. I also believe in upgrading rather than replacing original features. For example, repairing and draught-proofing sash windows or adding secondary or double glazing where possible can improve efficiency, without the need to make wholesale replacements.

Beyond energy, measures like rainwater harvesting and the use of traditional, low-carbon materials also contribute to sustainability, without harming heritage value. Ultimately, it’s about taking a whole-house approach, assessing condition, understanding moisture risks and phasing improvements strategically. When done sensitively, it’s possible to significantly reduce energy use, while still protecting the building’s historic character.

Finally, what is the one piece of advice you would offer a homeowner who is about to embark on the journey of renovating or extending a historic property?

Be prepared for it to take a little bit longer, for the design to be a little bit more bespoke and that you may need to make a couple of compromises along the way. However, the result will be a unique property with all the beauty and efficiency sensitive design can bring – it’ll be worth it!

Renovating or extending a historic building is rarely a straightforward process, but with the right understanding it can be an immensely rewarding one. As Jennifer explains, success often lies in recognising what gives a building its special interest and allowing that knowledge to guide design decisions.

For homeowners and buyers alike, early collaboration between architects, heritage consultants and planning specialists can make a decisive difference. When heritage significance is properly understood from the outset, projects are far more likely to progress smoothly and result in homes that balance historic character with the needs of contemporary living.

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