The Brooking Collection is a unique archive of architectural heritage comprising over 200,000 items of British architectural detailing from the last 500 years, with the main focus being from the late 17th Century up to the 1950s, including doors, windows, ironmongery, timber mouldings, sections of staircases, fire grates, fanlights and rainwater heads.
The aim of the Brooking Collection is to provide a record of our architectural heritage for future generations and to use this wealth of architectural details to promote and facilitate the historically accurate restoration and conservation of period properties.
No item is added to the collection unless it is threatened by demolition or has already been removed.
Charles Brooking started collecting in earnest items from buildings being demolished in 1966 – but his interest began with Bakelite door fittings from the age of 3 and before long extended to windows, doors, wooden mouldings and ironmongery. This boyhood hobby developed into a life’s work as an architectural historian. He has acted as a consultant in many private residences, but also many well known buildings including Lambeth Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Cliveden, and 10 Downing Street as well as to English Heritage, the National Trust, architectural practices and many other organisations and individuals concerned with the conservation and restoration of historic buildings. Charles is also a lecturer at the School of Architecture, University of Greenwich, running courses designed to provide an understanding of the historic evolution of items within his collection.
Eminent architects, conservation officers, academics and private individuals all have had cause to use The Brooking Collection’s resources and access Charles’ encyclopaedic knowledge and expertise.
Charles is available for consultancy work at preferential rates through Atkey.
Atkey is also playing an active part in attempting to ensure the long term future and accessibility of The Brooking Collection.
The Brooking Architectural Museum Trust is a charity established in 1986 to advance public education in British architecture and to preserve and maintain The Brooking Collection. The chairman of the trust is Sir William McAlpine and its vice patrons are Dan Cruickshank, Lucinda Lambton and Gavin Stamp.
