Join us in London for INTBAU’s fifth World Congress and a milestone 25th anniversary: a global gathering of experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from the network and beyond shaping the future of traditional building, architecture and urbanism.
Keynotes include Salma Samar Damluji, a leading authority on earth architecture and conservation in the Middle East, and Simon Jenkins, acclaimed author and former Chair of the National Trust.
They will be joined by an international group of experts featured in panels and breakout sessions: master craftspeople whose work can be seen in the UK’s Houses of Parliament and cathedrals across Europe; visionary developers behind award-winning urban extensions like Poundbury and Nansledan; and educators shaping the future of architecture at institutions from Notre Dame to Delft — and beyond.
Keynote
Salma Samar Damluji
Architect and scholar with over four decades of work in traditional architecture and post-conflict reconstruction. Founder of Daw‘an Architecture Foundation (2007–2024) and co-founder of Earth Architecture Lab (2022). Former Professor of the Binladin Chair at the American University of Beirut and collaborator of Hassan Fathy. Directed major heritage projects across Yemen and advised on landmark developments in Abu Dhabi, including the Grand Mosque. Author of The Architecture of Yemen and Earth & Utopia. Read more about Salma Samar’s career.
Simon Jenkins
Sir Simon Jenkins is a celebrated British author, journalist, and heritage advocate. Former editor of The Times and Evening Standard, he chaired the UK’s National Trust (2008–2014) and has written landmark books including England’s Thousand Best Churches and A Short History of British Architecture. A champion of architectural heritage, he has held senior roles at English Heritage, the Millennium Commission, and The Architecture Foundation.
Panellists
BUILDING: Craft & Construction
Clunie Fretton, Richard Thomas, Philip Fry, and Max Rutgers
Clunie Fretton
Clunie Fretton is a master carver, sculptor, and gilder whose work is held in the UK’s Houses of Parliament, St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. She specialises in conservation, restoration, and new commissions, contributing to the ongoing development heritage skills in the UK.
Philip Fry
Philip Fry is Managing Director of CG Fry & Son, a leading builder in South West England. Since 1993 he has worked on the Duchy of Cornwall’s Poundbury project, applying its principles to CG Fry’s award-winning developments and collaborations with legacy landowners.
Max Rutgers
Max Rutgers, recipient of the Diploma de Mestre Artesà (2020) and the Richard H. Driehaus Building Arts Awards in the carpentry category (2024), is a master framer whose work spans award-winning projects and heritage restorations. He also teaches traditional timber construction across Europe.
Richard Thomas
Richard Thomas is a master stone carver and sculptor with over 40 years of experience. Trained with the Compagnons du Devoir, he has worked on major conservation projects across Europe and teaches stone carving for the Walloon Agency for Cultural Heritage in Belgium.
ARCHITECTURE: Design & Practice
Deependra Prasad, Marianne Cusato, Chris Williamson, and TBC
Marianne Cusato
Marianne Cusato is Professor of Practice at Notre Dame, Director of the Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative, and a Trustee of INTBAU. Renowned for her work on disaster recovery and workforce housing, she designed the award-winning Katrina Cottage and advises governments on resilient, equitable development.
Deependra Prashad
Deependra Prashad is Principal Architect at DPAP. A leader in sustainable design with nearly 30 years’ experience, he has delivered award-winning net-zero projects and trains governments, NGOs, and institutions globally on humane, resource-efficient architecture and urbanism.
Chris Williamson
Chris Williamson is President Elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (2025–2027). He co-founded Weston Williamson in 1985, growing it into five global studios specialising in city-shaping infrastructure projects. He is passionate about sustainability, lifelong learning, and supporting architects to design better public transport systems worldwide. Read more.
URBANISM: Place-making & Place-mending
Mieke Bosse, Hugh Petter, TBC, and TBC
Mieke Bosse
Mieke Bosse is a Dutch architect with over 40 years’ experience in restoration, housing, and urban design. Winner of the National Prize for Renovation (1988), she has taught at Delft, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Hannover, and the University of Minnesota. Her work centres on vernacular traditions and community participation.
Hugh Petter
Hugh Petter is a traditional architect and urban designer, recipient of the ICAA’s Arthur Ross Award (2025). As Director of ADAM Architecture, he leads projects including Nansledan, a landmark urban extension for the Duchy of Cornwall, and award-winning restoration and education schemes.
Breakout Sessions
INTBAU 25: Progress in Tradition received nearly 40 proposals for breakout sessions from across the world, spanning Latin America to South Asia. The selected sessions—soon to be announced—will explore Progress in Tradition through hands-on workshops, community-led projects, and forward-thinking initiatives in building, architecture, and urbanism.
Stay tuned for the announcement soon!
Special Tour of Nansledan
Cory Babb
Cory Babb M.Arch, LEED AP, is a Senior Associate at ADAM Architecture and founding member of ADAM Urbanism. He has led masterplans across England and the US, including Nansledan, a flagship Duchy of Cornwall development and nationally recognised model for traditional, sustainable urbanism. Read more.
Join us in London
Tickets for the INTBAU World Congress 2025 – Progress in Tradition are now on sale. Visit the Eventbrite page to view detailed timings for each day and to secure your place.
