Preserving history:

Lecture series to highlight the value of built heritage

Robert Gordon University's Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment have announced a new lecture mini-series that will focus on the
importance of preserving and working with our built heritage.  This will be done by showcasing a number of conservation and regeneration projects currently being undertaken in Scotland and beyond.

The professional lecture series, which has been formed in collaboration with the Scottish Traditional Skills Centre in Fyvie, is open to all interested parties, including members of the public, and will run from March this year.

Professor Richard Laing, Senior Lecturer at the Scott Sutherland School and Principal Member of the Institute for Innovation Design & Sustainability, is leading the series.  His own interest and involvement with the regeneration and conservation of built heritage sites made him the perfect candidate to bring the series together.

Richard began the process by approaching Marc Ellington of The Scottish Traditional Skills Centre.  The centre, which is part funded by the European Social Fund and the Scottish Executive, runs a range of courses in collaboration with Robert Gordon University.  The courses aim to support specialist built heritage maintenance, repair and conservation skills in a range of traditional trades including leadwork, stone masonry and plastering.

Richard and Marc worked together to approach professional speakers currently involved in initiatives to preserve built heritage.  The result is a trio of presentation and discussion evenings that will run over the course of 3 months, beginning next month.

The mini-series will begin on Thursday 11 March with a joint lecture delivered by Professor Bernard Smith and Dr Patricia Warke from Queens University, Belfast.  They will be speaking about weathering, conservation and assessment of urban stone masonry.

This will be followed on Wednesday 17 March by a presentation from Professors Jane Stevenson and Peter Davidson of the University of Aberdeen, entitled: "The lost city - discovering the architectural treasures of Old Aberdeen."

On Wednesday 21 April Brian Park and Ian Hamilton of Page and Park Architects will be giving a practice overview and speaking about recent conservation projects in Scotland, such as the St Vincent Street Church in Glasgow and the McManus Galleries in Dundee.

The series will close on Wednesday 5 May with a presentation by Professor Laing himself.  He will describe his recent study of buildings in Nova Scotia, Canada, which were constructed in the 1920s from Scottish stone.

"Our built heritage is a significant part of the environment we live and work in", comments Professor Laing.  "It is both everyday and ancient and can reveal so much about who we are and where we have come from."

"Marc and I are delighted to have been instrumental in bringing this mini-series together and we are sure these presentations will be both fascinating and thought-provoking for all those involved in the fields of architecture, construction and the built environment."

The Built Heritage lecture mini-series will be hosted at the University's Garthdee campus.  The first three lectures will take place in Room H230 in the Faculty of Health and Social Care, while the final lecture will be held in Room
SB42 of the Scott Sutherland School. All will start at 6pm, and will be followed by informal networking opportunities.

Those interested in attending should contact University Events Manager, Barbara Jones on (01224) 262034 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  for further details.