The Institute of Historic Building Conservation
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is the professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment experts working in the United Kingdom, with connections to the Republic of Ireland.
The Institute exists to establish, develop and maintain the highest standards of conservation practice, to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for all. There is a network of regional and national branches around the UK.
Historic places attract people, activity and investment, giving new life to their communities and helping make places more competitive. They play a central role in regenerating towns, cities and rural areas all around the UK, especially helping to repopulate inner-city areas.
Using internationally-recognised standards, IHBC assesses and regulates conservation practitioners. IHBC members come from a range of professional disciplines in the public, private and voluntary sectors, including conservation officers, planners, architects, regeneration practitioners and academics. The work of members varies from overseeing small-scale traditional repairs to managing multi-million pound area regeneration projects.
IHBC’s values include:
- Managing change: Helping historic places thrive by accommodating change and adapting for the future while providing continuity with the past.
- Heritage-led regeneration: Assisting tourism and promoting local economic diversity through developing the historic environment.
- Sustainable development: Preserving resources and minimising carbon emissions associated with demolition and redevelopment.
- Design: Appreciating that historic places are the inspiration for the great architecture of the future.
- Valuing heritage: Caring for historic buildings and places that have their own intrinsic cultural, social, educational and spiritual value.
The IHBC works to provide regular training, continuing professional development (CPD) and education events, as well as lobbying at international, national, regional and local levels.
Its publications include:
- Context: The official magazine of the IHBC, published bi-monthly.
- IHBC Yearbook: Published annually.
- Building Conservation Directory.
The IHBC also partners with, and assesses, various conservation courses across the UK to encourage training and professional development in the sector.
For more information, see the IHBC’s website.
Also see a list of articles by IHBC on Designing Buildings Wiki.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation 15:56, 20 Jun 2016 (BST)
Find out more
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Archaeology and construction.
- Building preservation notice.
- Certificate of immunity.
- Conservation areas.
- Conservation of the historic environment.
- English Heritage
- Heritage partnership agreement.
- Historic England.
- Historic environment good practice advice.
- Historic Environment Service Provider Recognition.
- Historic environment.
- IHBC articles.
- Listed buildings.
- Planning Policy Statement 5 Planning for the Historic Environment
- Scheduled monuments.
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
- Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
- VAT - protected buildings.
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC’s 2019 ‘Yearbook’ Now Released "Extending the Reach of the IHBC"
The IHBC’s Yearbook for 2019 includes regular IHBC reviews, updates and listings, from IHBC’s HESPR listing to our Recognised Conservation Courses and member directory.
IHBC 2019 Marsh Awards now out: at the IHBC’s 2019 School, Nottingham 4 – 6 July
The judges are delighted to confer the 2019 IHBC Marsh Awards for Successful Learning in Heritage Skills and Community Contribution (Retired Member).
Rail stations in line for £300 million funding boost to improve disabled access
Disabled rail passengers across Britain will benefit from better access at stations and newly accessible stations will open up routes across the country.
A historical take on the future of Notre Dame, from IHBC’s former Membership Secretary
The IHBC asked former Membership Secretary Paul Butler for a take on some critical and historical issues around the modern response to Notre Dame.
CPRE’s State of Brownfield 2019 report: Enough land for more than 1M homes
CPRE shows there is enough suitable brownfield land available in England for more than 1 million homes across over 18,000 sites and over 26,000 hectares.
BBC on ‘The grief that comes from lost buildings’
BBC News has reported on how, across the world, destruction of cultural attractions causes a specific sort of communal grief.
Enter the Brick Awards 2019: Closing 31 May
The Brick Development Association (BDA) has highlighted the opportunity to compete at the industry’s highest level and be recognised by top-tier trade and national press.
STBA-SPAB Conference – 11 June 2019, London
The 2019 STBA-SPAB Conference & Expo will look at the current situation of regulations and initiatives, as well as the skills training that enable our built environment to include a wealth of healthy buildings with heritage and aesthetic value.
Historic buildings on fire – Fisons Victorian factory near Ipswich destroyed
The former Fisons warehouse in Bramford, near Ipswich, was the victim on another fire affecting our heritage. Listed Grade II and dating back to 1858 the building was destroyed by a fire thought to be arson.
Highways England pours £4 million into canal restoration scheme
A mile-long stretch of canal in Gloucestershire that disappeared more than half a century ago is closer to being restored, thanks to £4 million of funding from Highways England.
Westminster: Legislative plans for Olympics-style body to oversee restoration works
MPs vote on proposals for Houses of Parliament refurbishment, as the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster reaches a major milestone.
Ever wondered ‘How Venice Works’, with 124 Islands, 183 Canals & 438 Bridges
Open Culture has featured the Venice Backstage exploration of Venice and how, when the tourists leave the city, 60,000 year-round residents stay behind.