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.
- 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)
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
Victorian Bath House dug up from under a Manchester Car Park
A stunning Victorian Bath House has been uncovered during works on creating the city’s first public park in over 100 years.
APPG on ‘Conservation, Places and People’ Opens first Parliamentary Inquiry
The Inquiry is into ‘21st Century Places – Values & Benefits‘
Historic Photographer of the Year 2020 Winners Announced
The awards showcase the very best historic places and cultural sites from across the globe.
IHBC Launches new ‘Guidance Note’ on Alterations to Listed Buildings
The IHBC’s latest Toolbox Guidance Note, on ‘Alterations to Listed Buildings’ has been issued following UK-wide consultation.
Caithness Iron Age Stone Tower Conserved
The ruins of Ousdale Burn Broch, north of Helmsdale in Caithness, had fallen into further disrepair over the past 130 years.
The American Air Museum at Duxford has been listed Grade II*
Europe’s largest air museum and Britain’s best-preserved Second World War airfield – has been included in Grade II* listing, even though technically too recent.
West Dean College wins Sussex Heritage Trust Award 2020 for Roof Restoration
The College of Arts and Conservation has won the award for a for a project which provides or improves facilities for the community, including a £5.8M restoration of the College’s 126-year-old roof.
Stowe North Hall & WMF: A Step Closer to Completion
Completion of the restoration of Stowe House’s North Hall, largely funded by World Monuments Fund (WMF), came a step closer this summer with the installation of a statue of Mercury opposite the imposing Laocoön group installed last year.
IHBC CREATIVE Conservation Fund launched
The CREATIVE Conservation Fund helps the IHBC generate and distribute funds exclusively to deserving causes in built and historic environment conservation.
The tunnel near Plymouth with a nuclear secret
For years, there have been rumours whispered around Plymouth and Cornwall about so-called ‘nuclear tunnels’ that exist beneath the Tamar Valley.