The Institute for Lost Crafts tests a theoretical proposition: to preserve and protect both the tangible and intangible cultures of heritage sites during redevelopment processes. The project takes the stance that traditional Victorian markets, specifically in London, should be retained for their social purpose and cultural heritage. Instead of redeveloped, they can be adapted to allow traditional crafts, which once thrived off the markets’ footfall, to have a permanent home at the site. By developing a loose set of parameters, the scheme can be applied to existing markets throughout London and the UK.

Smithfield Market is used as a test bed to deploy this concept, focusing on the cultural values and traditions of the site, the wholesale meat market is paired with leather crafts, making use of the whole animal in a nose-to-tail approach. The insertion of traditional craft programmes reinforces and encourages existing cultural values to grow, whilst remaining a socially and economically viable alternative to current redevelopment processes.