THE eminent architect who skilfully restored a distinguished Georgian townhouse to its former splendour is being celebrated in a new exhibition.

'In The Classical Tradition: Francis Johnson' is now running until July 28 at Fairfax House, York, to pay tribute to the man who was drafted in by York Civic Trust in 1981 to rescue the townhouse from complete collapse.

Francis Johnson, who lived from 1911 to 1995, worked from his Bridlington practice for more than 50 years and his passion for the classical traditions of the 18th century earned him the description "last of the Georgians".

The distinguished architect was presented with the challenge of a lifetime when faced with the considerably faded glory of the 9th Viscount Fairfax's townhouse, the once flawless interiors of which were designed in 1760 by the great John Carr of York.

Fairfax House had undergone a dubious 20th century makeover and by the end of the Second World War had seen life partly as a cinema, ballroom, soldiers' billet, coal rationing office and bicycle shed.

The meticulous work to restore Fairfax House included the removal of every vestige of paint from the decorative stucco (plasterwork) throughout the house.

Ten thousand man hours were spent on removing the blue and red gloss from the Great Staircase walls and ceilings alone.

At the time, Francis Johnson was quoted as saying: "The survival of this house is a miracle. In all my career, which has involved literally dozens of country houses, never has there been such a challenge, nor a project which has so captured my imagination."

The exhibition dedicated to him includes drawings, photographs and some splendid furniture, including the architect's own desk.

After its stint in York, the exhibition will move on to the Royal Institute of British Architects Architecture Gallery, in London's Portland Square.

Admission charges to the exhibition are: Adults £4, concessions £3.50, while children under 16 go free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Fairfax House is situated in Castlegate, York, and is open Monday-Thursday and Sat-urdays from 11am-5pm. Admission on Sundays is from 1.30-5pm and on Fridays by guided tour only at 11am and 2pm.

A new exhibition, 'The Cutting Edge,' opens on September 1, and looks at the history of table setting and cutlery spanning 5000 years.

Updated: 11:16 Thursday, July 05, 2001