Name: Sophia Robson
Company: Thomas Ford & Partners
Location: London
Accreditation Category: Architect
What inspired you to pursue accreditation in building conservation and the AABC mentee scheme?
Working in conservation and gaining accreditation has been a long-term goal for me, starting my career in specialist practice and learning about the sheer range of projects and skills involved within. The AABC mentee scheme appealed specifically as this would help me actively engage with the competency criteria while I was completing projects which would eventually become case studies – the feedback through my Mentors and the AABC itself was invaluable in guiding this process and my development.
How do you think your accreditation will impact your work in building conservation?
It has greatly opened up the type of projects on which I am able to work – having gained some initial experience with projects involving buildings on the ‘Heritage At Risk’ Register, this now involves the majority of my current work, with the technical repair focus afforded by the AABC very beneficial in tackling the types of issues that these projects involve. I am also getting more involved with Cathedral work and Scheduled Monuments, both of which present exciting new challenges.
What advice would you give to others considering accreditation and conservation work?
I would highly recommend pursuing the AABC Mentee scheme, as a way of getting direct feedback as you are going, and truly engaging with the AABC requirements. It can take time to become accredited, and I have found that this really demystified the process, which is so important for getting more and more conservation accredited architects – which the industry needs. Conservation is being increasingly and rightly recognised as crucial to the discipline of architecture with greater awareness of climate impact, and so I would encourage all professionals to engage as much as they can.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing building conservation today?
As ever, funding – the National Lottery and Historic England are a lifeline for the many projects which need support in order to conserve heritage assets for future generations, but most obviously and recently the capping of the Listed Places of Workship VAT scheme is having a great impact. Heritage skills development and conservation education are also important to the industry, and hopefully both can be brought into project activities and into the training of professionals, including architects, equally.
What are you looking forward to in your career? Any dream projects? Skills you’d like to develop?
I am keen to get involved in the specialist conservation of ruins, having completed English Heritage’s course at West Dean College last year – both for their repair and how their sites are used for the wider public. I am also very interested and concerned with post-crisis conservation – both conflict and disaster – having completed some academic research around first aid & recovery of earthquake-struck churches in Italy. Disaster resilience is also a pressing matter for our times amid the climate crisis, and I hope to pursue this in my career with various projects and raise awareness.
How did your mentor help you on your journey to accreditation?
I was lucky enough to have two in the form of two of our practice Directors – we had some sit-down meetings and discussed the Competence Criteria and my Professional Development Plan against these. This was useful not only in discussing current projects, and determining the gaps in my experience, but for my employers to look how these could be addressed with future projects. While not everyone may have this, the AABC Mentees group and direct feedback on progress submissions also proved invaluable in checking in and providing valuable advice. | 
