Core curriculum topic: Building conservation and heritage

To help you gain the skills you need to practise architecture now and in the future as a RIBA Chartered Member, we have defined 10 mandatory core curriculum topics to address through CPD.

The topic Building conservation and heritage covers understanding the legislative framework and principles of conservation practice. It also includes having the right knowledge, skills and techniques, or access to the right specialists, to work on conservation (repair and maintenance) projects and historic or listed buildings and places.

Building Conservation and Heritage

Please note that some of these topics are more relevant to accredited conservation professionals and crafts people.
This competency potentially covers:

Background and context: understanding of

Historic Assets (buildings, areas, monuments, gardens and parks, whether designated yet or not), their settings, contents and contexts, along with any implications for potential conservation treatments and interventions.
Designations
National and international organisations and charters
How professional, client and other stakeholder relationships should function
ICOMOS guidelines
Common conservation terms
The repair, alteration/extension, refurbishment and management of historic assets

Legislation and published governmental and other guidance

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
BS7913: 2013
NPPF and government policy
Assets of Community Value
Special considerations in the application of approved documents (including Building Regulations)
The Equality Act
Fire safety strategy and legislation
Statutory consents, requirements and processes
Enabling Development and the Conservation of Heritage Assets
UNESCO conventions and recommendations
The Venice Charter & The Burra Charter
Guidelines for Education and Training in the Conservation of Monuments, Ensembles and Sites (1993)

Significance: understanding of

Historical significance (based on many factors including quality, rarity, condition etc.)
Social, cultural and emotional significance
Architectural and aesthetic significance
Constructing a conservation plan which takes into account the historical significance of the project
Researching the historic development of a building and its setting using both observational techniques and archival sources
New designs in designated and historic contexts

Making judgments and collaboration: ability to

Make balanced judgements based on shared ethical principles
Accept responsibility for the long-term welfare of cultural heritage
Recognise when advice must be sought by different specialists
Give expert advice on maintenance strategies, management policies, and the policy framework for environmental monitoring, protection and preservation
Ensure that all conservation work is documented in detail to ensure an informative and accessible timeline of all work done
Work in multi-disciplinary groups using sound methods
Work, consult and collaborate with inhabitants, administrators and planners to resolve conflicts and to develop conservation strategies appropriate to local needs, abilities and resources

Reading and understanding a monument: ability to

Read a monument, ensemble or site
Identify its emotional, cultural and use significance for contemporary users and beneficiaries of such
Understand the history and technology of a site in order to define its identity and plan for its conservation
Interpret the results of this research for existing communities
Understand the setting in relation to other buildings, gardens or landscapes
Find and absorb all available sources of relevant information
Provide accessible, informative resources for wide dissemination to a non-expert audience

International and historic context: understanding of

Various historic periods, their defining styles and technologies, and their historic, social and cultural impacts (ranging from the ancient to the contemporary)
Where knowledge is lacking and where advice must be sought from different specialists

Surveys and investigations: understanding of

Site surveys
Invasive and non-invasive analysis
Destructive and non-destructive analysis
Recording, documentation and communication
Reading the building
Determining and understanding defects and causes of decay
Understanding defects and behaviours of various materials
Approaches to repair and conservation techniques
Use of hydroscopic or vapour permeable mortars
Cleaning historic buildings

Materials: understanding of

The potential impacts (visual, physical, biological, environmental, chemical) of the introduction of new materials to an existing building/site/monument.
The performance characteristics of pre-industrial and industrially produced materials
The conservation of stonework, brickwork, timber and concrete
Thermal upgrade of listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas, and unprotected buildings of traditional construction, including the use of insulation, appropriate window upgrades
Vapour permeable materials

Conservation strategy: understanding of

Grants, funds and funding organisations
Climate change and special considerations applicable to the historic environment
Implementation and management of conservation works
Procurement and contract administration
The value of specialist accreditation in conservation, particularly as a conservation architect

Links to further information

ACAS www.acas.org.uk

CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) www.cipd.co.uk

APM (Association for Project Management) www.apm.org.uk

Confederation of British Industry (CBI) http://www.cbi.org.uk

Business in the Community (BITC) https://www.bitc.org.uk/

Institute of Directors (IoD) https://www.iod.com/

Chambers of Commerce http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/

Federation of Small Businesses https://www.fsb.org.uk/

The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association http://www.fcsa.org.uk

The Creative Industries Federation https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com

British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre

Find CPD on this topic

You must take two hours of CPD on this topic every year.

Find RIBA accredited CPD on Building conservation and heritage through RIBA Academy.

Related courses include:

Podcasts, videos, articles, and other offers can also contribute towards your CPD requirements.