As part of the 2025 festival theme, Voices, SAVE Britain’s Heritage presents a discussion with Henley Halebrown and The Gentle Author of Spitalfields Life to explore the concept of embodied memory in the loss and reuse of buildings.
While the environmental case for preserving existing buildings through adaptive reuse and retrofitting is increasingly recognised, there is an equally profound, yet often overlooked, value: the sense of identity, history, and belonging that buildings provide. Embodied memory—shaped by time, use, and community—defines how we engage with our surroundings and informs our connection to place.
This event will delve into how prioritising cultural and environmental continuity can challenge commercially driven urban transformations, ensuring our cities remain recognisable, inclusive, and meaningful for those who call them home.
Simon Henley will offer insights into the architectural significance of embodied memory. In response, The Gentle Author will reflect on how this concept manifests through the stories, people, and attachment to buildings they encounter in their work and campaigning. We then invite you to join the conversation as we explore why preserving embodied memory is essential for the future of architecture, urban life, and our connection to the places we inhabit.
Speakers: Simon Henley (Principal of Henley Halebrown) & The Gentle Author (Author and Historian, Spitalfields Life)
Chair: Henrietta Billings (Director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage)
