The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain

Catch Holly Lewis on the 'The Public Architect', a new podcast series produced by London Metropolitan University exploring the vital relationship between architecture and the public sector. In the first episode ‘Past and Present’, Holly is in discussion with historian Professor John Gold, practitioners and researchers Mike Althorpe, Andrea Jung, Dr David Knight on how the profession’s relationship with the public sector has evolved, and how we can best serve the public good. Listen to the first episode - link below 👇

It was great to be a part of this conversation but also to hear it back rejigged into coherence! We talked about the postwar and contemporary role of the architect and built environment professional in relation to the public sector and to public impact, including some of the space that private practice gives you to make a positive public impact, built environment fellowship (shout out to University of the Built Environment as I did on the podcast!) and much more. Give it a listen! Thanks Dr. Claire Jamieson Jessica Kelly Matthew Lloyd Roberts and The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain for having me!

The first episode of The Public Architect is now live! This is a new five-part podcast series I've hosted and produced with my London Metropolitan University colleague Jessica Kelly, funded by the RIBA Research Fund and produced for The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain. The series considers how the architectural profession has understood and related to the public sector from the post-war period to today, drawing on twenty-two contributors across five episodes, released fortnightly from 10th July. Episode one, 'Past and Present', features historian Professor John Gold, alongside practitioners and researchers Mike Althorpe, Andrea Jung, Dr David Knight and Holly Lewis, considering where the profession's relationship to the public sector has developed from, and the different forms that relationship takes today. The series continues with episodes on research and institutional change (24th July), the identity of the architect across gender, race and class (7th August), colonial contexts in post-war architectural education (21st August), and the expanded role of the architect (4th September). Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eAA6x3Gv and listen to the first episode on Spotify or at this link: https://lnkd.in/emzTMr5J

Nominations are open for the SAHGB-IHBC Heritage Research Award. The Award recognises and celebrates the quality of architectural-historical research produced by colleagues in heritage and conservation practice, as private consultants and in non-departmental public bodies. Winning work will receive a recently commissioned medal. Submissions must be received by 20 August 2026. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dFtbrsDt The Institute Of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)

A new mini-series of the SAHGB podcast will be released this summer, funded by the RIBA and hosted by Jessica Kelly and Claire Jamieson. The Public Architect is a five-part podcast series bringing together historians, policy experts and practitioners to consider how the architectural profession has understood and related to the public sector from the post-war period to today. Considering the role of planning systems, local government, architectural research, 22 contributors share their understanding of the changes within the architectural profession and its relationship to society across this history. The first episode is now live. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eAA6x3Gv

This Friday is the deadline to submit abstracts for the third symposium in memory of Mark Girouard. The symposium looks at women’s contributions to architectural history in Britain and Ireland. There have been a growing number of studies of female architects over the past twenty years but almost no accounts of female architectural historians. One exception is Dana Arnold's edited collection Women and Architectural History: The Monstrous Regiment Then and Now (2025) which involved women operating from the 1970s onwards. This symposium looks back further to the earliest generations involved in the writing and promotion of architectural history in a wide range of spheres. We are interested in women who were involved in the subject as academics, curators, journalists, photographers, writers and in the conservation and heritage spheres from the nineteenth century onwards. Convenors: Elizabeth McKellar (SAHGB), Manolo Guerci (University of Kent), Kyle leyden (Courtauld Institute) Paper Deadline: 26 June 2026 https://lnkd.in/eWYxuTnu

We're delighted to share that bookings are open for the October 2026 Study Tour to Barcelona. In the year that the city has been designated 2026 UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture, we've secured privileged access to some of the city’s most iconic and rarely accessible architectural landmarks. The tour itinerary and highlights are detailed online. Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eTFxW-hc The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britains is a The Institute Of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) recognised CPD provider.

EVENT: This seminar will present early findings from Harry Foley’s PhD research, which returns to Coventry Cathedral’s unsuccessful entries as part of a wider study on the representation of architectural competitions and the unbuilt in Britain. The event will take place in-person at the Institute of Historical Research and online via Zoom. Register for a free ticket: https://lnkd.in/eGa9kfG5

From the transformation of Lambeth Palace through a pioneering low-carbon masterplan, to new research uncovering the hidden history of Market Cross in Thaxted and the long-standing mystery surrounding Nos. 66 and 67 Fleet Street, the new issue of our magazine explores how architectural history continues to shape the present. Alongside major feature articles, the magazine reflects on the second annual Mark Girouard Symposium, the 2025 SAHGB Awards Ceremony, and the relaunch of Architectural History under a new Open Access model with Ubiquity Press. Readers will also find essays on Thomas Archer, Leighton House, the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk in architecture, and a Q&A with Laura Diggens, as well as updates on the Society’s ongoing events, initiatives, and anniversary celebrations. Issue 22 showcases the diversity of voices, research, and perspectives driving architectural history today - and offers a glimpse into the conversations shaping its future. https://lnkd.in/eDvVhRMJ