About

Rowenna Malone MA(Cantab) MA IHBC

A deep love of and fascination for historic buildings lies at the centre of my work. I want to enable them to be cared for, used, appreciated and enjoyed now and in the future.

Having read History and Geography, I am able to combine an ability to research and analyse the past with an understanding of the evolution of place. This enables me to unravel the history of a building or historic place and analyse why it was important in the past and in the present. With this sound understanding I can unlock a building’s potential for change to ensure its sustainable future.

At classical architectural practice John Simpson Architects, I worked closely with the architects to deliver advice and reports from Design & Access Statements to Heritage Statements and archaeology reports for a range of projects. This gave me a detailed insight into how the different considerations and regulations interact in the built environment and enables me to tailor my advice accordingly. After five and a half years, I moved to Purcell, the world’s largest conservation architecture practice, where I specialised as a heritage consultant. Over nine years at Purcell has given me extensive experience on a wide variety of buildings and contexts.

I work on all building types and my masters in Museology has given me a specialist understanding of museums and heritage attractions and I have worked on many, including the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, Nottingham Castle, Norwich Castle, Dorset County Museum and the National Trust’s site at Orford Ness. I am well-versed in the vernacular of East Anglia and especially its timber-framed buildings. I am also highly experienced at working on large complex sites such as palaces and Cambridge colleges. My love of buildings is not confined to British shores and I relish the challenge of working internationally in places with different histories, contexts and legislative systems.

Accreditations and Positions

Full Member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation

Expert Member of the International Polar Heritage Committee

Inaugural Chair of the IPHC’s Sub-Antarctic Islands Working Group

Founder Trustee of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum

Regional Advisory Group (East of England and Midlands), National Trust (February 2019 – October 2023)

Norwich Society Committee Member (December 2018 – April 2021)

Lecturer for University of Cambridge Buildings History MSt (2019-2022)