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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...