Featured post

Context – Suggest a theme

Front cover Context

Context – the latest edition

The themes for forthcoming editions of Context, the journal of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) Context, are regularly published on the Context page of the IHBC web site.

The theme of each issue takes the form of three or four main articles and allows us to look in detail at a conservation issue or building type

Themed issues of Context also include more general conservation articles as well as news, book reviews and reports from IHBC’s officers.

If you have any suggestions for articles or other material contact Fiona Newton at: editorial@ihbc.org.uk

Call for Abstracts – ICOMOS Scientific Symposium 2024

This year, the ICOMOS Advisory Committee will organise its Scientific Symposium in Ouro Preto, Brazil, from 13 to 15 November 2024 on the theme “Revisiting the Venice Charter: Critical Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges.”

Read the call for abstracts and send your abstract before 15 May 2024!    

For more information, visit the ICOMOS website

The 60th Anniversary of the Venice Charter provides a unique opportunity to reassess it as a historical document rooted in a specific context and shaped by a particular heritage concept. This Symposium is dedicated to a critical reading, focusing on the Venice Charter’s relevance in the current discourse surrounding heritage and adopting a cross-cutting approach between conventions.

The Symposium aims to comprehensively reassess the Venice Charter in a contemporary context, emphasizing its Eurocentric origins and advocating for a critical rereading considering evolving heritage concepts. Additionally, it seeks to foster a cross-cutting approach between the Venice Charter and other international conventions, emphasizing the importance of diverse epistemologies and contributions from the Global South.

Proposed Sub-Themes for the Symposium

1. Historical Context and Heritage Concepts
An exploration of the historical context and conceptual foundations that shaped the Venice Charter, emphasizing its Eurocentric origins and the need for a critical rereading.

2. A Cross-Cutting Approach Between Conventions
A discussion linking the Venice Charter with other international documents, notably the Hague Convention of 1954, the World Heritage Convention of 1972, the Nara Document on Authenticity of 1994, the Intangible Heritage Convention of 2003, and the Faro Convention of 2005[1], exploring intersections and shared principles to address contemporary challenges.

3. Universalism and diversity: Rereading the Doctrinal Documents from Diverse Perspectives
A discussion on the importance of the Venice Charter (and other related doctrinal documents) through diverse epistemologies and perspectives, acknowledging the cultural diversity of heritage and exploring contributions from the Global South.

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse
A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

5. Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage
Cultural heritage is increasingly vulnerable to disasters and conflicts and subject to rapid destruction, as evidenced by the recent fires, floods, earthquakes and escalating armed conflicts in different parts of the world. At the General Assembly 2023 in Sydney, ICOMOS Advisory Committee approved the theme of “Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage – Preparedness, Response and Recovery” as the theme for the Triennial Scientific Plan 2024-2027.  In keeping with the spirit of open, innovative, constructive intergenerational dialogue, and the strategic focus, this sub-theme will address the suitability of the Venice Charter with the theme of disaster and conflict-resilient heritage, emphasizing its broader implications for heritage discourse, development models, and resilience strategies.

By integrating these sub-themes into the Symposium, we aim to foster a comprehensive dialogue that not only critically reinterprets the Venice Charter but also explores its intersections with broader heritage discussions and contemporary challenges including the climate emergency, conflicts and natural disasters.

[1] Council of Europe’s Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society


The call for abstracts for the AGA2024 Scientific Symposium is now open!

The Scientific Symposium Committee welcomes the submission of abstracts for the ICOMOS 2024 Annual General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS AGA2024) to be held at the Convention Centre, Ouro Preto, Brazil from 10–17 November 2024. The Scientific Symposium offers a major research, information sharing, training and capacity-building opportunity for delegates, who will be able to present and attend papers, seminars, workshops, site visits and other sessions.

Submit your abstract for a session, paper or poster through the AGA2024 Abstract Submission Portal. The call for abstracts will close on 15 May 2024.
GO TO linkClick here to submit your abstract

Key Dates

  • 4 March 2024: Abstract online submission site opens
  • 15 May 2024: Deadline to submit an abstract 
  • 30 June 2024: Authors notified of abstract submission outcome
  • 30 Aug 2024: Author registration deadline*

*Presenters and session organizers MUST register for the AGA2024 by the above date to confirm attendance. Presenters/session organizers who have not registered by this date will have their abstracts removed from the Scientific Symposium Program.

Abstract Guidelines

  1. Participants are welcome to submit abstracts in English, French, or Spanish. Portuguese abstracts accompanied by English, French or Spanish translation will be accepted.
  2. Participants are welcome to submit more than one co-authored paper and/or poster abstracts, and session proposals.
  3. Participants may only submit one individual paper abstract and/or one individual poster abstract.
  4. The AGA2024 Scientific Committee Co-chairs reserve the right to reclassify submitted abstracts into the most appropriate theme or program.
  5. Abstracts must be submitted via the online abstract submission site.
  6. Abstracts will be reviewed as submitted by the abstract deadline of 15 May 2024.

Presenter Agreement

All presenters agree to the following conditions when submitting an abstract:

  1. Agree that if the abstract is accepted, ICOMOS has permission to publish the abstract in printed and/or electronic formats.
  2. Agree to have their papers published in printed and/or electronic formats, and their presentation broadcasted online and through the platforms used by ICOMOS.
  3. Intend to register for and attend the AGA2024 Scientific Symposium and pay the appropriate registration fee by 30 Aug 2024.

Failure to register by 30 Aug 2024 will result in the following:

  • The proposal being withdrawn from the AGA2024 Scientific Symposium.
  • The submitter will not be allowed to present their abstract at the meeting.
  • The abstract will not be citable as being part of the ICOMOS AGA2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings.

Call for Research – The structural conservation of historic buildings

A call for research relating to the structural conservation of historic buildings, particularly in Wales, from Connor Evans; a third year BSc Civil Engineering student at the University of South Wales.

Information/ Input Needed:

I am seeking insights, expertise, and resources from IHBC members who specialize in structural conservation and have experience working with historic buildings. I am particularly interested in learning about innovative approaches, case studies, and practical considerations in the field of structural conservation, especially as they relate to load path alterations and remediation strategies. I plan to use Ruperra Castle as a case study to apply the findings of my research so any knowledge of this site would be greatly appreciated. Any other relevant literature, case studies, or contacts would be of great assistance.

Research Summary:

I am a third year BSc Civil Engineering student at the University of South Wales , conducting research for my dissertation project on the structural conservation of historic buildings in Wales. I have been conducting research looking at case studies such as Old Beaupre Castle, Llwyn Celyn farmhouse, Tintern Abbey and others. My primary objective is to investigate the considerations taken when restoring historically significant structures such as “how can changes in load paths can affect restoration works?” and “how far should restoration works alter the existing structure?”. Specifically, I aim to analyse the decision-making processes, challenges, and solutions involved in preserving the structural integrity and cultural significance of these heritage assets, while incorporating modern interventions like steel lintels and mortar repairs. I would also like to look at how some of the findings of my research can apply to historic structures that are need of restoration work.

Contact Information:

Please feel free to contact me via email at connor_evans_@outlook.com. I welcome any contributions, suggestions, or collaborations related to my research topic.

Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to connecting with the IHBC community.

Call for Papers – Florence Heri-Tech – The Future of Heritage Science and Technologies International Conference 4th Edition

Submissions close: 25 Mar 2024

The idea is to create a synergy between Cultural Heritage and New Technologies

The idea is create a synergy between business world and university world

The International Conference Florence Heri-Tech: the Future of Heritage Science and Technologies, involves a large number of researches and scholars from around the world and puts the industry’s current issues under spotlight, specifically on issues related to innovative techniques and technologies for Cultural Heritage. The Conference is part of the Florence International Biennial for Art and Restoration, an international event attracting prestigious institutions and companies and creating a unique opportunity to bring together the academic word with industry. The Conference will be a significant opportunity to bring together the academic world with industry.

Heri-Tech is the first International Conference to welcome major researchers and scholars from all over the world, focusing on current and future issues in the field on issues related to innovative techniques and technologies. The city of Florence will therefore be the international heart of Restoration and Cultural and Environmental assets as well as a forum for meeting and discussing for experts, operators and enthusiasts from around the world. The Conference will be a significant opportunity for exchange between researchers and companies for the promotion of productive excellence, technological evolution, the greater use of culture for younger sections of the population and specialization in the educational field for graduates and PhD students.

The final objectives are:

To foster European mobility and co-operation between students and staff; to enhance Europe’s development as a multi-cultural society and to encourage the concept that scientific-cultural research must be an integral part of society; to promote international networks between universities, training institutes and companies to create long-term collaboration opportunities; to create favourable conditions for young graduates to enter the world of work; to demonstrate the influence of new technologies in the arts and how they can be used for innovative teaching and learning; and to establish contacts and cooperation between Institutions in the Academic world and the world of work.

For more information, and to submit your paper, visit https://www.florenceheritech.com/paper-submission/

Call for Abstracts – IEREK: Conservation of Architectural Heritage (CAH) – 8th Edition

University of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy

Conference: 17th – 20th September 2024

Abstract Submission Deadline: 24th March 2024

Introduction

Architectural conservation is something that embraces not just architecture in all its various forms, but a vast range of other subjects – environmental politics, urban planning, urban economics and tourism, and even war destructions and renewal […] Conservation is, and has always been, an integral part of modern society and its environment, like all the modern environments, did not just happened”.

(Miles Glendinning 2013)

Starting from this concept, the International Conference on “Conservation of Architectural Heritage” (CAH) aims at bringing together academics and professionals who care about heritage from different points of view and share their visions in protecting, preserving, and enhancing cultural heritage for the future.

Architectural and Cultural Heritage is testimony of past societies’ values, and achievements, as well as political, social and economic systems. Such heritage is represented in tangible and intangible forms and at landscape, urban and architectural scales. Across these scales, it also embodies both material and immaterial values and informs current and future societies with invaluable information of their history and identity. Unfortunately, cultural sites are no longer the same as they used to be. They are exposed to losing their authenticity and identity bit by bit due to many decay factors. Also, the different levels of scale and the wide range of chronologies introduce different challenges that academics and professionals respond to in our contemporary time. For example, the concepts of archaeology, history, and identity are not the same between historic and modern heritage sites, which presents an additional challenge to conserve and protect heritage that is not commonly seen as a legacy of the past (e.g. modern heritage). Thus, it is important to advocate the need for equal consideration and in-depth studies for our heritage considering its time, scales and values. In addition, there is unprecedented recognition of culture within the Sustainable Development Goals which is going to play a crucial role. In becoming a fundamental discourse within Sustainability, Cultural Heritage research will employ techniques and methodologies belonging to the Arts and Humanities, Architecture, Restoration and Conservation, and Creative Practices, along with Sciences, Technology and Engineering.

Thus, the conference is not only going to talk about heritage but also about how to preserve it considering the diversity of scales, typologies, uses, periods of construction, and state of conservation, as well as how to link it to the broader topics of sustainability, accessibility and assessment of values. In doing so, the conference is going to start by identifying concepts and topics of cultural heritage and its subtle link with the environment.

The conference has proven its success year by year, and this 8th edition, held in collaboration with the University of Cagliari and the University of Portsmouth, is going to stand out by discussing all the Art and Science of Heritage.

Selected papers of the conference will be published in a book series under the title of Advances in Science, Technology, & Innovation (ASTI) by Springer. Others will be published in the Resource Dings journal by IEREK Press.

Scope

The 8th edition of the “Conservation of Architectural Heritage (CAH)” conference comprehensively covers the topic of heritage conservation & maintenance against decay factors. Additionally, it aims to bring the topic of conservation considering archaeological, historic, modern, and contemporary heritage, the diversity of scales: landscape, urban and architectural ones. This will be explored within the umbrella of sustainability and accessibility discussing the relations between cultural heritage preservation and development.  The conference envelops interdisciplinary and co-creative methods of the conservation of both tangible heritage sites in the form of architectural landmarks, civic and military heritage, and associated intangible aspects of heritage. It touches upon the significance, authenticity and identity of cultural heritage and the economic impact that its conservation brings. Encompassing various methods of heritage preservation, the conference also covers citizens’ as well as governmental policy implementation & NGOs’ role in the process. In addition, tourism’s impact on heritage sites, innovative design methods and climate change adaptations are integral to the conference focus.

For more information, including a list of conference topics, visit https://www.ierek.com/events/conservation-of-architectural-heritage-cah-8th#introduction

WMF – 2025 World Monuments Watch

Nominations Close – 15 Mar 2024, 5pm EDT

World Monuments Fund is delighted to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the 2025 World Monuments Watch.

The World Monuments Watch is a nomination-based program that connects local heritage preservation to global awareness and action. The Watch rallies support to places in need and the people who care for them, spotlighting new challenges and the communities worldwide harnessing heritage to confront the crucial issues of our time. WMF partners with the people who know these places best, amplifying their efforts through advocacy, training, and close collaboration with WMF’s expert team and professionals across the globe. 

Safeguarding heritage is our shared mission—be part of this initiative by submitting your nomination today. For more information, click here

SHT Awards: Open for Nominations

The Sussex Heritage Trust is accepting nominations until 22nd March for its Annual Awards showcasing high quality architecture and conservation projects across the county.

There are 11 categories to enter, ranging from Commercial to Small Scale Residential, from Ecclesiastical Buildings to Building Crafts.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 10th July. Read how to make your application here.

Call for Sessions – SAH 2025 Annual International Conference

Atlanta, Georgia | April 30–May 4

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST

Conference Chair: Mohammad Gharipour, SAH Vice President Elect, University of Maryland
Local Co-Chairs: Christina E. Crawford, Emory University, and Elisa Dainese, Georgia Institute of Technology

The Society of Architectural Historians announces that its 78th Annual Conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from Wednesday, April 30 to Sunday, May 4, 2025. The Society invites everyone interested in the history of the built environment to submit a proposal to chair a session at the conference. 

NEW for 2025 — SAH is extending the paper session portion of the conference and will schedule sessions throughout the day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The expanded program will allow for greater diversity of session topics and additional opportunities for members to present their work. Each session will comprise 5-6 papers, with each presentation allotted a duration of 15–20 minutes. SAH encourages diverse presentation formats. 

Since the principal purpose of the SAH Annual International Conference is to inform conference attendees of the general state of research in architectural history and related disciplines, session proposals covering every period in the history of architecture and all aspects of the built environment, including landscape and urban history, are encouraged. 

Sessions may be theoretical, methodological, thematic, interdisciplinary, pedagogical, revisionist or documentary in premise and have broadly conceived or more narrowly focused subjects. Sessions that embrace cross-cultural and transnational topics are particularly welcome. Topics related to historic preservation and cultural heritage as related to architecture are also encouraged. Proposals will be selected on the basis of merit and the need to create a well-balanced program. Topics exploring the architecture of Atlanta and the architecture of the southeastern United States are encouraged. In every case, the subject should be clearly defined in critical and historical terms.

Session proposals on architecture and race, architecture of the American South, architecture and urbanism in Atlanta, urban segregation, histories of agency and disturbance, architecture and accountability, history of gentrification, urban development, architecture and coloniality, and health and architecture are encouraged.

SAH welcomes proposals from SAH Affiliate Groups, SAH chapters, SAH committees, SAH partner organizations, and other groups in the field. The Society also seeks proposals for sessions that further the goals of the SAH IDEAS Initiative: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accountability, and Sustainability. We are thus seeking sessions that explore the intersection of architecture and social justice, inclusion and exclusion, diversity, transparency, accessibility, borders and conflicts, systemic inequalities, and challenges of method. 

Since late submissions cannot be considered, it is recommended that proposals be submitted before the deadline. 

Additional Information

Submission Guidelines


Session proposals must be submitted online by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Conference Chair Mohammad Gharipour and members of the Annual Conference Session Selection Committee will review and select the session proposals. 

Prospective session chairs must include the following in their proposal:

  • A session title not longer than 65 characters, including spaces and punctuation
  • Summary of the subject and the premise in no more than 300 words
  • Your name, professional affiliation (if applicable), address, telephone, and email address 
  • A current CV (2 pages max) 

For more information visit the website here

Call for Papers – From Forests to Heritage Conference 2024

Call for Papers – Closes 15 December 2023

From Forests to Heritage Conference brings together researchers studying forests, timber and wooden cultural heritage. Contributions can cover the following fields: forest research, forest ecology, architectural history, cultural heritage studies, dendrochronology, art history, and literature studies, or others.

In 2024, the conference is organized in Helsinki, Finland, at 18th century Sea Fortress Suomenlinna from 28th to 31st May 2024.

Background

The conference is dedicated to the processing of wood in the past for production of architecture, buildings, furniture, works of art, ships and other timber structures. We aim to bring together a diverse group of dendrochronologists, wood scientists, art historians, architectural historians, archaeologists, museum collection curators and scientists from all around the world to exchange the latest insights, methods and ideas related to the study of wooden cultural heritage.

During this conference, research on historical wooden objects and structures that results in a better understanding of past timber exploitation and trade, forestry practices, wood provenance, supply chains, timber assortments, woodworking techniques and craftsmen’s skills will be presented. Furthermore, we encourage contributions that explore novel methods for non-invasive research on historical art objects and analytical techniques that allow to pin-point the provenance of the wood.

We also invite you to conference excursion to old Finnish forests and (timber) built heritage sites normally not open to the public.

Call for papers (opens 15th August)

22 August – 15 December

Schedule

22 August to 15 December (CFP extended to December 15th!) 2023, Submission of abstracts
31 December 2023, Announcement of acceptance
February 2024, Registration deadline
28–31 May 2024, Conference
1 June, Post-conference excursion

Organisers

Aalto University, Architectural History and Conservation
University of Eastern Finland, Forest Ecology
Finnish Heritage Agency           
The Governing Body of Suomenlinna                                                                                            

Conference Venue

The conference will be organized in Suomenlinna sea fortress in the seafront of Helsinki. Suomenlinna is one of the largest sea fortresses in the world, founded in 1748. In 1991, the Suomenlinna fortress was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique monument of military architecture.

The conference takes place at Tenaille von Fersen, old granary of the fortification’s bakery from 1775, nowadays a conference and banquet venue.

Organizing committee

Panu Savolainen (Aalto University, head of the committee), Tuomas Aakala (University of Eastern Finland), Liisa Seppänen (Hämeenlinna city museum), Marko Huttunen (Livady Architects), Miia Perkkiö (The Governing Body of Suomenlinna), Pekka Heikkinen (Aalto University)

Scientific board

Announced in December 2023

Visit the website and find out more here

Call for Extended Research Abstract – EURAU International Conference: IN–PRESENCE/ THE BODY AND THE SPACE

The next EURAU International Conference – IN-PRESENCE / THE BODY AND THE SPACE – The Role of Corporeity in the Era of Virtualisation – will occur in Milan, 19-22 June 2024.

The EURAU Milan 2024 Conference aims to unpack the significance of corporeality in contemporary times and its relevance for the upcoming years. Specifically, the focus is on the relation between body and space and how this relates with architecture, the city and the environment, interpreted as physical facts and processes. Within the background of a technological turn, the focus is now on what has changed or will further change in this relationship and what instead remains unalterable, inherently bound to the material and impervious to the virtual. The call asks for contributions relating to the body-space-architecture relationship.

Submissions close: 31 December 2023

Visit the website here for more information.

Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University Conference – Revivalism: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Call for Papers: Closes 24 Nov 2023

The past often informs the present in many, interconnected ways. For example, Howard Colvin in his well-known essay on the ‘Gothic Survival and Gothick Revival’ offers a nuanced reading of medieval architecture’s perpetuation in C17–C18 Britain (‘Gothic Survival’) and the style’s quite separate revival. Like the ‘Gothic Revival’, references to and recreations of the past can take many different forms across the arts and humanities; these revivals can leverage mimesis, or perhaps they are more frivolous and based upon loose associationism. Revivals’ form, fidelity, function, and motivation are therefore varied and crucial to understanding and mapping the materiality and ideas from history to its continued relevance, recycling, and recreation in the present.
 
This conference, taking place next February in Cardiff University, wishes to examine the legacies of the past and the past’s recreation under the broad label of ‘revival’ across time, place, and discipline: how and why has the past been reworked, recreated, or revived; what are the minimum requirements for work(s) to be considered a revival; can revivals be counter-cultural? The conference also wishes to examine how revivals have been interpreted (both positively and negatively); and how revivals can be and are set against the source material that inspired them.
 
20-minute papers on any aspect of revivalism across the arts and humanities are solicited for this in-person conference. Proposals that explore interdisciplinary manifestations of revivalism are especially welcome. Topics could include:

  • Art; Architecture; Applied design
  • Literature (fiction and non-fiction)
  • Revivalism, pastiche, and forgery
  • Historiography of revival
  • Interdisciplinary revivals
  • Motivation(s) for revivals/ism
  • Comparisons between revivals and the revied

300-word proposals should be sent to the conference organiser Peter N. Lindfield FSA, Welsh School of Architecture: LindfieldP@Cardiff.ac.uk no later than 24 November 2023.
 
Conference date: Monday 19 February 2024
Location: Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University