Following Dr Peter Wakelin’s feasibility study of a national archive for Welsh architecture in 2018, RSAW established the Architectural Archives Advisory Panel for Wales. The panel exists to enhance the preservation, accessibility and use of archives relating to architecture in Wales. This is achieved by liaising with the architectural profession and archive users and collaborating through a network of public repositories.
The primary function of the panel is to consider the merits of architectural archives pertaining to Wales that may be suitable for permanent preservation and, where appropriate, recommending them to the most suitable repository. The panel is also tasked with raising awareness in the architectural profession of the need to consider whether records may be of enduring historical value and also introduces potential users to Welsh architectural archives.
The panel is made up of representatives from the archival and architectural professions and also users of archives. Along with RSAW and RIBA, the following bodies are represented on the panel:
- National Library of Wales
- Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
- Archives Wales
- Cadw
The panel most recently met in September 2020, with a view to holding at least two meetings per year going forward. Please contact RSAW for more information about the panel, or if you know of an architectural archive that the panel should assess.
