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Heritage Buildings Podcast

Heritage Buildings Podcast

By: Vincent Reed
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About this listen

 Welcome to the Heritage Buildings Podcast with your host Vincent Reed, where we bring you in-depth interviews with leading experts, passionate enthusiasts, and industry professionals from across the heritage buildings sector. Join us as we explore captivating stories, uncover the artistry behind historical buildings, and dive into the challenges and successes of conserving our architectural heritage. This podcast is available as audio format across all of your favourite podcasting apps and as video format on our official YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HeritageBuildingsAssociation Be sure to join in on the discussions in our forum - https://heritagebuildings.forum Connect with us on social media - https://linktr.ee/heritagebuildingsassociationCopyright 2026 Vincent Reed Art Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • [HBP#29] - Liberty Watts - March Spotlight: Women in Conservation

    [HBP#29] - Liberty Watts - March Spotlight: Women in Conservation
    Mar 10 2026

    🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and your favourite podcast apps.

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    Welcome to another episode of the Heritage Buildings Podcast.

    Host Vincent Reed speaks with Libby Watts, founder of Liberty Rose Architects, 2021 Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Scholar and 2023 The King's Foundation 35 Under 35 recipient.

    Libby shares her journey from commercial architecture into listed building and church conservation, and how the SPAB Scholarship reshaped her approach to heritage practice.

    Topics covered include:

    • What the SPAB Scholarship really involves – hands-on craft training across the UK

    • Moving from new-build offices to historic and listed buildings

    • Starting a conservation practice during COVID

    • Working closely with craftspeople on traditional materials like lime, lead, and timber

    • How to structure fees for heritage projects

    • Winning work through word of mouth, especially church networks

    • Documenting historic details like lead roof graffiti

    • The King’s Foundation 35 Under 35 experience

    • Widening access to conservation and supporting young people into the trades

    • Advice for getting into conservation architecture

    Perfect for conservation architects, heritage professionals, church architects, craftspeople, and anyone passionate about traditional building skills and historic building preservation.

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    Below is a more detailed breakdown of the video with relevant timestamps

    Click the time on the left to jump straight to that section

    00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction

    01:02 Finding Conservation Architecture

    03:07 COVID Pivot and Starting a Practice

    06:03 SPAB Scholarship Application

    07:27 Scholarship Life on the Road

    13:08 Plunkett Section: English Country Houses

    16:11 Post-Scholarship Practice Philosophy

    19:21 Learning from Craftspeople and Site Culture

    25:04 Running the Business and Fee Structures

    33:11 Winning Work Through Word of Mouth

    34:47 The King’s Foundation 35 Under 35

    39:40 Bringing New Talent into Conservation

    41:52 Heritage for Everyone

    42:00 Launching Access Courses

    45:41 Teaching and Mentoring

    47:30 Women in Conservation

    56:34 Church Conservation Project Highlights

    01:01:30 Managing People and Project Pressures

    01:05:09 Boundaries and Saying No to Clients

    01:08:04 Future Practice Direction

    01:11:41 How to Get Into Conservation

    01:16:20 Social Media and Wrap Up

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    Connect with Liberty Watts and learn more:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liberty-rose-architects/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberty_rose_architects/

    Email: libby@libertyrosearchitects.co.uk

    Website: www.libertyrosearchitects.co.uk

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    Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association:

    https://heritagebuildingsassociation.com

    Join the conversation:

    https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual


    #LibertyRoseArchitects #Conservation #Architecture
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • [HBP#28] - Karl-Magnus Melin - Medieval Carpentry, Timber Churches & Ancient Techniques

    [HBP#28] - Karl-Magnus Melin - Medieval Carpentry, Timber Churches & Ancient Techniques
    Feb 24 2026
    🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on - Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and any of your other favourite podcasting apps!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Welcome to another episode of the Heritage Buildings Podcast.In this episode, Vincent Reed speaks with Karl Magnus-Melin, historic carpenter and craft researcher trained in archaeology at Lund University. The discussion centres on the reconstruction of a 14th-century Swedish log timber church, rebuilt between 2007 and 2021 as a national heritage knowledge project in collaboration with the Craft Laboratory at the University of Gothenburg.They explore medieval timber construction, roof design research, experimental archaeology, traditional axe work, hand-split boards, tool mark analysis, timber species selection, moisture content, and how rebuilding lost techniques strengthens conservation practice and historic building knowledge.Topics covered include:Medieval timber construction and historic carpentry techniquesReconstructing a 14th-century Scandinavian log churchExperimental archaeology and craft-based research methodsTraditional axe work, tool marks, and timber splitting by handDendrochronology, tree-ring dating, and timber provenance analysisRoof construction research and medieval geometryApotropaic marks, taper burn marks, and ritual protection symbols in historic buildingsDriftwood construction in the Faroe Islands and Nordic timber tradeCraft education, heritage skills shortages, and conservation funding challengesThis episode is essential viewing for conservation architects, heritage consultants, dendrochronologists, archaeologists, historic carpenters, timber framers, building historians, and anyone passionate about medieval construction techniques and experimental craft research.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Below is a more detailed breakdown of the video with relevant timestampsClick the time on the left to jump straight to that section00:00 Welcome & Introducing Craft Researcher Karl Magnus-Melin01:41 Family Roots: Grandfathers, Churches, and Early Curiosity03:19 Archaeology Meets Carpentry: Learning by Doing, Not Just Digging07:42 Burned Medieval Log Church Reconstruction Begins12:35 Documentation Gaps: Roof, Attic & Research Challenges17:48 Defining Roles: Leading Medieval Roof Construction Research22:04 Building as a Knowledge Project for Swedish Heritage26:32 Splitting Timber by Hand: Species, Seasoning & Tool Marks35:56 Axe Work, Fitness & the Physical Reality of Medieval Craft42:57 Rebuilding Lost Traditions: Lessons & Long-Term Impact45:52 Funding Frustrations vs. Slow Restoration Wins46:35 Turkey 2017: Inside a 700 BC Timber Tomb49:39 Ancient Construction Knowledge Across Regions51:41 Hidden Attics, Soot Lines & Craft Memory58:39 Dendrochronology Beyond Dating: Forests, Seasons & Sourcing01:04:55 Faroe Islands: Driftwood, Imported Timber & Burn Marks01:08:07 Taper Burn Marks & Apotropaic Symbols Explained01:14:24 Future of Craft Education in Sweden & Final Thoughts---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Karl Magnus Melin and learn more:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-magnus-melin-a318215b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timmermanskonst/?hl=enEmail: kalle@timmermanskonst.seWebsite: http://timmermanskonst.se/---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association:https://heritagebuildingsassociation.comJoin the conversation:https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual#MedievalArchitecture #Archaeology #HistoricBuildingConservation
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • [HBP#27] - Faye Davies - Rescuing Britain's Forgotten Buildings

    [HBP#27] - Faye Davies - Rescuing Britain's Forgotten Buildings
    Feb 10 2026

    🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on - Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and any of your other favourite podcasting apps!

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    Welcome to another episode of the Heritage Buildings Podcast!

    In this episode, host Vincent Reed speaks with Faye Davies, a RIBA-registered specialist conservation architect at Burrell Foley Fisher Architects, a London practice with over 40 years of experience in historic building conservation. Faye shares her journey into heritage architecture and her work adapting at-risk and listed buildings for modern, sustainable use.

    The discussion explores creative conservation, including how complex historic sites like medieval guild halls and roundhouses are unlocked through heritage statements, client education, and practical problem-solving. Faye also reflects on major projects including York Guild Hall and Birmingham Roundhouse, alongside wider challenges in the sector such as training, sustainability, and unqualified contractors.

    Topics covered include:

    1. RIBA conservation architecture and career pathways in historic building preservation
    2. Creative conservation strategies for adapting at-risk heritage buildings
    3. Protecting and reusing listed buildings while meeting modern sustainability standards
    4. Real-world conservation case studies: York Guild Hall restoration and Birmingham Roundhouse conservation
    5. Writing heritage statements and navigating planning, archaeology, and budgets
    6. Common challenges in the heritage sector, including unqualified contractors and skills shortages
    7. Sustainable conservation approaches for medieval, Tudor, and 20th-century buildings
    8. Professional advice for conservation architects, heritage consultants, and historic property owners

    This episode is essential viewing for heritage professionals, conservation architects, RIBA members, historic building owners, planners, and anyone passionate about preserving UK heritage buildings through sustainable and creative conservation.

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    Below is a more detailed breakdown of the video with relevant timestamps

    Click the time on the left to jump straight to that section

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    01:30 Faye's Path to Architecture

    04:15 Falling into Historic Buildings

    07:00 Covent Garden Slum Stories

    09:45 RIBA Conservation Specialist Training

    14:20 Wide Portfolio: Tudor to 20th Century

    18:30 Repurposing At-Risk Buildings

    22:00 Sustainability in Conservation

    25:15 Practice Overview (43 Years, Nationwide)

    29:00 Heritage Statements & Industry Challenges

    35:45 Client Battles and Mediation

    41:00 York Guild Hall Project Deep Dive

    50:30 Budgets, Archaeology, and Wins

    56:15 Winning Tenders: Enthusiasm & Vision

    1:02:00 Birmingham Roundhouse Restoration

    1:07:30 Craftsmen Shortage & Training

    1:12:45 Final Thoughts and Advice

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    Connect with Faye Davies and learn more:


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayewatsondavies/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daviesvsdavies/

    Website:

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    Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association:

    https://heritagebuildingsassociation.com

    Join the conversation:

    https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual


    #RIBAConservation #BirminghamRoundhouse #YorkGuildhall
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    1 hr and 19 mins
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