Winchester Cathedral has today announced that Charlotte Robinson, Senior Architect at Purcell has been appointed as its new Surveyor of the Fabric, also known as the Cathedral Architect.
Having specialised in conservation architecture since 2015, Charlotte will be responsible for advising the Dean and Chapter, and overseeing the care, maintenance and sympathetic development of the fabric of the Cathedral and it’s buildings within the Close.
In her new role as a consultant to the Cathedral, Charlotte will be following in the footsteps of the late Corinne Bennett MBE, a former partner at Purcell, who held the role of Cathedral Architect at Winchester from 1974 to 1989 – at the time Corinne was the first female Surveyor of the Fabric in England.
Charlotte joined Purcell’s Oxford studio in 2019, working with Senior Partner Jane Kennedy MBE, Foundation Architect to Christ Church Oxford on numerous projects at the Cathedral and College. Charlotte completed her architectural training at the University of Cambridge and Manchester School of Architecture before going on to study Architectural History at the University of Oxford, where she nurtured her interest in ecclesiastical architecture.
Charlotte Robinson, Senior Architect said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work at Winchester, one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring Cathedrals in England. As the world reconciles with the difficulties of the pandemic, the importance of places of worship as a space of sanctuary and communal togetherness is more essential than ever. It will be a great privilege to work in a place of such rich heritage and to contribute towards its continued longevity. I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with Chapter and all the team at Winchester on such a magnificent Cathedral.”
Today, after countless changes – both to its own fabric and the world around it – Winchester Cathedral remains a place of inspiration, which welcomes people from across the world. Dating back to the eleventh century, the Cathedral is steeped in history and the appointment of Charlotte will help to safeguard its future as a highly-significant, and historic place of worship.
Welcoming Charlotte’s appointment, Alison Evans, Chief Operating Officer at Winchester Cathedral said, “I am delighted to welcome Charlotte to the team at Winchester Cathedral – especially as we move into a new era of conservation and development, following the hugely-successful completion of the award-winning, long-term HLF project that included the creation of the Kings and Scribes exhibition and the major repairs to the East End. Charlotte brings with her deep experience, knowledge and understanding of the historic fabric, as well as an appreciation of the modern challenges that the Cathedral faces today, which makes her a real asset to the team. We look forward to working with her in this key role.”