The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is calling for applications from architects to join the new RIBA Conservation Register, ahead of its official launch in autumn 2010.

The new Register forms an important part of the RIBA’s work to support architects currently involved in historic conservation, but also to enable the next generation of conservation architects to gain the necessary skills and experience to successfully establish themselves in this specialism.

The Register is organised in a three-tier design to allow architects to progress through a ‘stepping stone’ system, therefore enabling less experienced architects to join the Register and gradually build up experience and expertise; this is something often overlooked in single-level registers, where extensive prior experience is a necessary prerequisite for accreditation.

The Register will feature the following three tiers:

• Specialist Conservation Architect (SCA)
  Suitable for those working on historic buildings of outstanding national importance, such as Grade I and II listed buildings or scheduled monuments, and with highly specialist skills in one or more aspects of conservation.
• Conservation Architect (CA)
  Suitable for those working on regionally important historic buildings such as Grade II listed structures, and buildings in sensitive historic environments.
• Conservation Registrant (CR)
  Suitable for those working on the repair, maintenance, alteration and refurbishment of heritage buildings, for example unlisted buildings in conservation areas, locally important historic buildings and the general pre-1919 building stock.

The Register is endorsed by English Heritage, and is based firmly on the international guidelines on conservation set by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and is open to all ARB registered architects.

RIBA President Ruth Reed said:

“Conservation architecture has a highly significant part to play within the profession, and the RIBA is firmly committed to strengthening the profession’s credibility and standing in the field. The new Conservation Register will facilitate the process for those commissioning works on heritage buildings, clients who require architects with the appropriate level of knowledge, competence and experience for their individual project. This will create more opportunities for architects at all levels to undertake specialist conservation work, and help the next generation of architects to obtain the relevant skills and expertise needed.”

Joy Russell, Head of Conservation Architecture at English Heritage said:

“English Heritage is committed to the principle of conservation accreditation as an independent assessment of an architect’s skills and competence in conservation, a means of making that information available to owners and managers of heritage assets, and an encouragement to gain knowledge and experience for architects who are interested in building conservation.

“For a number of years we have required those in receipt of our grants to use the services of a conservation-accredited architect, and we have recognised the AABC Register as a measure of individuals’ competence. Once the new RIBA Conservation Register is launched, we will be pleased to extend that recognition to architects who have attained the Register’s ‘Specialist Conservation Architect’ level.”

To apply to join the Register, please email conservation.register@inst.riba.org or call 020 7307 5375. All applications must be received by 31 August 2010.