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Heritage Buildings Podcast

Heritage Buildings Podcast

By: Vincent Reed
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Welcome to the Heritage Buildings Podcast with your host Vincent Reed, where we bring you in-depth interviews with leading experts, passionate enthusiasts, and industry professionals from across the heritage buildings sector. Join us as we explore captivating stories, uncover the artistry behind historical buildings, and dive into the challenges and successes of conserving our architectural heritage. This podcast is available as audio format across all of your favourite podcasting apps and as video format on our official YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HeritageBuildingsAssociation Be sure to join in on the discussions in our forum - https://heritagebuildings.forum Connect with us on social media - https://linktr.ee/heritagebuildingsassociationCopyright 2026 Vincent Reed Art Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • [HBP#40] - Louis Curtis - Historic Timber Frames

    [HBP#40] - Louis Curtis - Historic Timber Frames
    22 Sep 2026
    🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and your favourite podcast apps.Welcome to the Heritage Buildings Podcast!In this episode, Vincent Reed sits down with Louis Curtis, founder of Breakspear Conservation, to discuss his journey from school and kitchen fitting into conservation carpentry and specialist timber frame repair across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. Curtis shares how he developed his skills through the Building Crafts College and specialist timber frame repair courses, as well as a formative early project repairing a major eight-bay barn. He explains how enthusiasm, practical problem-solving, and a willingness to take on challenging work helped him establish his career in conservation.The conversation also explores the realities of running a small conservation business, including pricing work on historic buildings, managing unknowns, investigating existing structures, and setting realistic expectations with clients. Curtis discusses completing the MSc in Timber Building Conservation at the Weald and Downland Museum, support from the QUEST Scholarship and business training, his dissertation research into historic lime finishes and evidence of formerly plastered timber frames, and an experimental archaeology project in Copenhagen recreating a 1620 Stock Exchange roof truss using traditional tools.Topics covered include:• Louis Curtis's journey into conservation carpentry and specialist timber frame repair• Training at the Building Crafts College and learning through practical experience• Repairing historic timber frames, including a major eight-bay barn• Running a small conservation business, pricing work, and managing unknowns in old buildings• The MSc in Timber Building Conservation, QUEST Scholarship, and business training• Research into historic lime finishes, formerly plastered timber frames, and experimental archaeology• Recreating a 1620 Stock Exchange roof truss in Copenhagen using traditional toolsWhether you're a conservation carpenter, timber framer, architect, building surveyor, heritage professional, student, or simply passionate about historic buildings and traditional craftsmanship, this episode offers valuable insights into the skills, research, and practical challenges involved in conserving Britain's historic timber buildings.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 Welcome & Guest Intro: Louis on Heritage Timber Framing 01:38 From Skateboarding to Carpentry03:01 Discovering Building Conservation05:14 Falling for Timber Frames08:49 Finding Work and Mentors09:33 First Big Barn Breakthrough12:49 Why Enthusiasm Wins Jobs14:40 Growing Breakspear Conservation15:38 Pricing and Opening Up17:54 Managing Clients and Scope21:16 Running a Small Team24:34 MSc at Weald and Downland27:57 How the Masters Is Taught31:24 Getting In and Who It Suits33:10 QUEST Scholarship Support36:38 Inspiring Kids Into Crafts38:17 AI and the Craft Revival40:04 Hiring Young People Today42:58 Lime Finishes Research48:06 Exposed Frames Debate53:42 Limewash Benefits Explained55:58 Brick Infill And Mortar57:36 Hair Lime Plaster Mixes01:00:12 Copenhagen Truss Project01:07:55 Traditional Tools And Timber01:15:40 Home Renovation And Wrap Up Connect with Louis Curtis and explore his work using the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-curtis-a8929360/Breakspear Conservationhttps://www.breakspearconservation.com/https://www.instagram.com/breakspearconservation/Louis Curtis’ Presentation at the Historic England & Lime Finishes Group Symposium:https://vimeo.com/1190484023/2fdac7828c?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci More interesting presentations:https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/buildings/maintenance-and-repair-of-older-buildings/what-s-the-point-2-lime-finishes-in-a-changing-climate-symposium/ Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trusthttps://www.qest.org.uk/ Inspiring the Futurehttps://www.inspiringthefuture.org/ Weald and Downland MSc courseshttps://www.wealddown.co.uk/courses/msc-degrees/. Kongevaerk- Reconstruction of a roof truss from the Copenhagen Stock Exchangehttps://stolpverk.org/projekt-kongevaerk-i-kobenhavn-20-29-april-2026/https://stolpverk.org/invitation-till-invigningen-av-kongevaerket-fran-borsen/*🔗 Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association*https://heritagebuildingsassociation.com*Click here to join the conversation:*https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to support the heritage buildings community!#ConservationCarpentry #TimberFrameRestoration #ConservationCarpenter
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • [HBP#39] - Zoe Hooton & Jess Barrow - Architect + Heritage Consultant: Two Experts, One Mission

    [HBP#39] - Zoe Hooton & Jess Barrow - Architect + Heritage Consultant: Two Experts, One Mission
    1 Sep 2026
    🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and your favourite podcast apps.Welcome to the Heritage Buildings Podcast! In this episode, Vincent Reed sits down with Zoe Hooton, Specialist Conservation Architect and Director at HPA Architects and Woohoo, alongside Jessica Barrow, Heritage Consultant and Director at both HPA Architects and Woohoo. They discuss how conservation architects and heritage consultants work together to deliver successful listed building, historic building conservation, and heritage planning projects. From early collaboration and pre-application advice to working with conservation officers, they share practical insights into navigating the UK planning system.The conversation also explores the challenges facing heritage conservation, including inconsistent planning decisions, reduced conservation resources, managing change in historic buildings, and balancing heritage significance with modern requirements. They also share lessons from their work on Lancaster Castle's Well Tower (Witches' Tower).Topics covered include:• What does a conservation architect do?• The role of a heritage consultant in listed building projects• Historic building conservation and adaptive reuse• Listed Building Consent and heritage planning permission• Working with conservation officers and local planning authorities• Heritage statements, significance assessments, and public benefit• Pre-application advice and avoiding planning delays• Managing change in historic buildings and conservation best practice• Challenges facing UK heritage planning after COVID-19• Conservation of Lancaster Castle's Well Tower (Witches' Tower)• Balancing accessibility, archaeology, fire safety, and conservation• Why collaboration leads to better heritage outcomesWhether you're an architect, heritage consultant, planning professional, building surveyor, student, or simply passionate about historic buildings, listed buildings, and heritage conservation, this episode offers valuable insights into conserving Britain's built heritage.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 Podcast Introduction01:35 Meet Zoe and Jess02:16 How They First Met04:19 From Council to Collaboration08:26 Architect vs Heritage Consultant11:33 Managed Change and Tradeoffs14:45 Team Decisions and Stakeholders18:01 Working Together With Clients21:41 Pre-Application Advice Explained23:48 Planning System Frustrations29:32 Skill Shortages and DIY Heritage33:04 Bad Heritage Statements and Myths38:06 Delisting a Troubled Hotel44:59 Non-Designated Heritage Challenges46:20 Listed Windows and Proportionate Info47:57 Restoring Timber Windows48:31 Why People Skip Consent48:47 Fixing The Planning Process50:11 Training And Better Tools51:10 Hastings Fishing Heritage52:54 Intangible Heritage And Gentrification01:00:07 Have We Gone Too Far01:06:37 Lancaster Castle Witches Tower01:15:26 Budgets Samples And Surprises01:21:33 Bring Trades In Early01:22:35 Heritage Action Zone Wins01:27:19 Where To Find Them01:29:41 Conservation Community And Events01:32:47 Final Thanks And Goodbye Connect with Zoe Hooton using the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-hooton-64875740/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zjlock/Email: zoe_hooton@hotmail.comWebsite: https://www.harrisonpittarchitects.co.uk/Connect with Jess Barrow using the links below:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-barrow-bsc-msc-ihbc-96aa9460/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabarrow3/Email: jess.barrow@woohoo.ltdHPA ArchitectsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hpa-ltd/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hpa_riba_architects/Website: www.hpa.ltdWoohooLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/woohooltd/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woohooltd/Website: www.woohoo.ltd🔗 Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Associationhttps://heritagebuildingsassociation.comClick here to join the conversation:https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to support the heritage buildings community!#HeritageConservation #ListedBuildings #ConservationArchitecture
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • [HBP#38] - Nigel Castell - Traditional Gilding: The Art of Gold Leaf

    [HBP#38] - Nigel Castell - Traditional Gilding: The Art of Gold Leaf
    18 Aug 2026

    🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and your favourite podcast apps.

    Welcome to the Heritage Buildings Podcast!

    In this episode, Vincent Reed sits down with Nigel Castell, an experienced gilder and antique restoration specialist, to explore the traditional craft of water gilding and gold leaf application.

    Nigel shares his journey into antique restoration at just 17 and explains how he learned traditional gilding skills through hands-on, bench-based training. He takes us through the complete water gilding process, from preparing wood and applying rabbit skin size and gesso, to sanding, gesso cutting, preparing clay bole, laying gold leaf, and finally burnishing with agate stones.

    The conversation also explores the differences between water gilding and oil gilding, the tools and materials used by traditional gilders, the challenges of working with gold leaf, and why these specialist craftsmanship skills are becoming increasingly rare.

    Topics covered include:

    • Nigel's journey into antique restoration and traditional gilding

    • Learning gilding techniques at the bench

    • Preparing wood, gesso, and rabbit skin size

    • Gesso application, sanding, and cutting

    • Yellow ochre and traditional clay bole

    • Preparing and applying gold leaf

    • Traditional gilding tools and techniques

    • Water gilding vs oil gilding

    • Repairing and gilding carved decorative details

    • Burnishing gold with agate stones

    • The time, skill, and cost involved in traditional gilding

    • Preserving traditional craftsmanship and heritage skills

    Whether you're a gilder, conservator, antique restorer, architect, heritage professional, or simply interested in traditional craftsmanship, this episode offers a fascinating insight into the techniques and expertise behind traditional water gilding, gold leaf, and historic restoration.

    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 Podcast Welcome

    01:17 Meet Nigel Castell

    01:47 How He Started

    04:37 Learning at the Bench

    08:41 Gilding Process Overview

    09:41 Cleaning and Prep

    10:58 Rabbit Skin Size Basics

    14:31 Thin White Primer

    17:36 Hot Gesso Application

    28:45 Coats and Period Styles

    33:59 Sanding and Gesso Cutting

    35:52 Puttying and Abrasives

    38:46 Wet Sanding Gesso

    40:21 Matte Finish for Gilding

    42:35 Sealing Coat Yellow Ochre

    44:22 Matching Period Yellows

    48:54 Bole and Clay Basics

    52:26 Applying Gold Size Coats

    59:34 Sanding and Buffing Bole

    01:04:25 Water vs Oil Gilding

    01:12:51 Proper Gold Leaf Handling

    01:15:42 Gold Leaf Book Basics

    01:17:37 Gilding Cushion Setup

    01:18:39 Gilding Knife Cutting

    01:20:06 Handheld Tool Workflow

    01:23:44 Wetting and Laying Gold

    01:29:28 Overlaps and Fault Repairs

    01:30:21 Gilding Carved Details

    01:32:25 Costs and Time Reality

    01:33:12 Burnishing with Agate

    01:41:19 Craft Preservation Wrap-Up

    Connect with Nigel Castell using the links below:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-castell-82a82a337/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butler_and_castell_restoration/

    https://www.instagram.com/reepham_antiques/

    Website: www.butlerandcasstell.co.uk

    🔗 Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association

    https://heritagebuildingsassociation.com

    Click here to join the conversation:

    https://heritagebuildings.forum/share

    👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to support the heritage buildings community!

    #Gilding #GoldLeaf #GildingTechniques

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    1 hr and 47 mins
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