An investigation in synergy: The intersection of historic building retrofit and the heritage of traditional building craft practices in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Historic building retrofit is increasingly seen as one solution for tackling the climate crisis. It involves understanding traditional construction methods, material behaviour, and the cultural heritage impacts of adaptation. Shifts toward holistic perceptions of heritage have led to international recognition of intangible heritage values. Traditional building crafts embody such values, as cultural expressions reflecting regional styles, knowledge and techniques. Yet in the UK building conservation sector, and despite recent UK ratification of UNESCO's 2003 Intangible Heritage Convention, the practices of historic building retrofit and traditional building craft are pursued simultaneously but as distinctly separate workstreams. This limited interpretation of heritage value in a retrofit context sits in stark contrast to the wider accepted notion that many traditional building craft practices are under threat.

This exploratory study asks ‘is there opportunity for greater synergy between historic building retrofit and traditional building craft, in a manner that brings mutual benefits to both practices?’. Following a review of existing literature, in-depth interviews were held with ten professionals across a range of heritage specialisms to understand the potential for greater synergy. The findings show that greater synergy could benefit both the emerging need for historic building retrofit and facilitate the safeguarding of craft skills by widening their reach and relevance. Perceptions of craft practice, attitudes to collaboration and a lack of targeted incentives are revealed as barriers to implementing an intersectional approach. The study concludes by identifying future research potential that may inform whether a synergised approach should be incentivised in UK heritage policy.