Sir Bernard (Melchior) Feilden

(b London, 11 Sept 1919). English architect and conservator. He studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University of London (1938), and the Architectural Association School, London (1946-9). After working in architects' offices in London and Norwich (1949-54), he entered private practice in Norwich and, in partnership (1954-77) with David Mawson, designed several buildings in the area such as Trinity Presbyterian Church (1954), some warehouses, housing and educational buildings including a group (1969) for the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Feilden was more widely known for his conservation and restoration work on historic buildings. In 1955 he took charge of a restoration programme for Norwich Cathedral and was subsequently appointed Cathedral Architect (1963-77). He also served as Surveyor to York Minster (1965-77), carrying out a major restoration programme, and as Surveyor to St Paul's Cathedral, London (1969-77), where he planned and supervised repair and restoration work at a time when the fabric of the cathedral was in increasing danger from ground settlement, pollution and traffic vibration. His conservation work was notable both for its technical expertise and its scholarship. A member of the Ancient Monuments Board from 1964-7, Feilden was later appointed the first director of the International Centre for Conservation (ICCROM), established in 1977 in Rome. He returned to England in 1982 to become an architectural consultant specializing in historic buildings and chairman of the English branch of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). He also served on many other historical and conservation committees and was knighted in 1985.

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