Architecture Update: Round Table makes its first challenge

ARCHITECTURE's great and good are to lobby David Mellor, Minister for National Heritage, to convert the Museum of Mankind's home in London's Burlington Gardens into a new architecture centre (the museum is due to move to the new British Library). The first Round Table held by the Arts Council last week unanimously supported the proposal, while its chairman, Lord Palumbo, said: 'We hope to influence the shape of government policy on public education in architecture.' The Round Table, which will meet regularly to discuss the future of British architecture, also decided to ask the Government to return the British Pavilion at the Seville Expo to Britain for use as a design centre. The next meeting of the Table - an 'informal gathering' of the Architecture Foundation, Arts Council, English Heritage, Royal Academy, Royal Fine Art Commission and the Royal Institute of British Architects - will be chaired by Lord St John of Fawsley in the autumn. Lord Fawsley said: 'With the setting up of the National Heritage ministry, the arts have a unique opportunity of which we must take full advantage. The Round Table will ensure that the case for good architecture be worthily championed.'