The IHBC is delighted to announce that booking for in person and online places is now open for the IHBC Annual Day School 2026, in Newcastle, from 19 June, exploring ‘Adaptive Reuse’ with conservation professionals from across the UK and beyond.
Book your online or in person Day School place, from just £35 +VAT
Prefer to attend the Full School in person?
Book your Full School place, from £320 +VAT
AWARDS & BURSARIES ETC SUPPORTED BY THE
IHBC CREATIVE Conservation Fund
IHBC writes:
The IHBC’s 2026 Day School will be hosted in Newcastle on 19 June, at the Grade II* listed Wood Memorial Hall, in The Common Room; built 1869-72 on behalf of the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
The venue, located just moments from Newcastle Central Station, is a fitting venue for this year’s theme ‘Adaptive Reuse’, and is sure to dazzle delegates, both in person and online, with its exquisite detailing.
This year’s Day School offers a rich and varied programme designed to inform, inspire, and support your continuing professional development.
The day begins with a ‘Welcome Address’ from Dr Anna Keay OBE, Director of The Landmark Trust, as we begin by exploring the wider context for Adaptive Reuse, before drilling down to the opportunities and challenges of working to reuse historic buildings, in a considered and sustainable manner, through a variety of practical case studies to inform and inspire.
You can find out more about our speakers below, but here’s what you can expect from the Day School programme, throughout the day.
Day School Programme
Session 1 – Is anything impossible?
Dr Anna Keay OBE, The Landmark Trust
Welcome Address
Henrietta Billings, SAVE Britain’s Heritage
Topic: Opportunities and Benefits for Adaptive Reuse
Prof. John Pendlebury, Newcastle University &
Prof. Francesca Lanz, Northumbria University
Topic: What is Adaptive Reuse?
Alexandra Fairclough, Bolton Council and IHBC
Topic: Adaptive Reuse: A legislative & policy overview
Session 2 – Challenges and Opportunities
Adrian Browning, The Church Commissioners for England &
Clare Chapman, The Church Commissioners for England
Topic: New Uses for Old Churches: a paradigm for Adaptive Reuse
Rebecca Burrows, Donald Insall Associates
Topic: From Advice to Action: How Digital Planning is Supporting the Adaptive Reuse of Historic Places.
Steve Emery, Heritage Fire
Topic: Fire Safety and Regulations: Challenges and Opportunities
Session 3 – Case Studies in the Round
Martin Hulse, Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust, HTN
Topic: Adaptive Reuse from a Building Preservation Trust Perspective
James Woolgrove, Shire Homes
Topic: Safety First: Health, Safety and Adaptive Reuse
Tom Betts, Durham County Council
Bryan Harris, Durham County Council
Topic: Giving Rise to Raby: A Local Authority Approach to Adaptive Reuse
Timothy David Crawshaw, RTPI (Friend of the School)
Summary of the Day
For more information on the Annual School, including Full School options, CPD Study Tours, Venues, and the Day School Programme, please visit newcastle2026.ihbc.org.uk
IHBC Annual Day School 2026: Booking Summary & Guidance
Booking is now open with both in person and online options available. In person places are limited, and early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
- Spaces for the Day School are limited, so we encourage delegates to secure a Full School place as early as possible if you wish to guarantee attendance across the programme.
See full details on the IHBC Annual Day School 2026
