INTBAU 25: Progress in Tradition 

INTBAU World Congress 2025

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 architecture, building, and urbanism.

From 22–24 October 2025, we invite you to engage in a dynamic programme exploring the past, present, and future of tradition in the built environment.

Congress Programme

Day 1 | Wednesday, 22 October – Practice Open Doors

A unique opportunity to step inside the studios, ateliers, and academic spaces shaping traditional architecture and craft today. From leading firms hands-on workshops, this curated day of visits offers exclusive insight into the practices driving the future of tradition.

The day will be split into morning and afternoon sessions. Delegates can select one visit per session, with spots allocated on a first-come, first-served basis—so be ready to book early!

Confirmed host institutions include:

  • ADAM Architecture
  • Art Workers’ Guild
  • Ben Pentreath
  • Create Streets
  • The Georgian Group
  • The King’s Foundation
  • Kingston University (in the Wren Room at Temple Bar)
  • Pick Everard
  • Purcell
  • Richard Griffiths Architects
  • Stanhope Gate
  • Traditional Architecture Group

Day 2 | Thursday, 23 October – Conference at Chelsea Old Town Hall

  • INTBAU Chapter and Professional Member Global Exhibition
  • Networking lunch
  • Keynote address and Q&A: Simon Jenkins.
  • BUILDING: Craft & Construction. We will hear from practitioners who have dedicated their lives to the craft skills that make traditional architecture possible. Focus will be on the aesthetic and the practical aspects of making buildings and places, from the fine detail of a stone carving to the on-site realities of volume housebuilding.
  • ARCHITECTURE: Design & Practice. This plenary session will feature architects working on new traditional architecture in different contexts around the world. We will learn about the projects and elements of practice they have most enjoyed, alongside the challenges they have overcome to see designs become built realities.
  • Evening Reception & Publication Launch: 25 Years of INTBAU. Join us at the Garrison Chapel, one of the King’s Foundation’s iconic spaces, for a celebratory evening reception marking the launch of ’25 Years of INTBAU.’ This special publication reflects on the network’s journey—its founding, growth, and global impact—while spotlighting forward-looking contributions from INTBAU Chapters around the world.

Day 3 | Friday, 24 October – Conference at Chelsea Old Town Hall

  • URBANISM: Place-making & Place-mending. In this plenary session, panellists will discuss their work to design new places and to intervene sensitively in existing places. Case studies will include ‘brownfield’ (previously developed, now vacant) sites, historic centres, and areas for post-disaster reconstruction.
  • Keynote address and Q&A: Salma Damluji.
  • Networking lunch
  • Breakout sessions: Designed for deeper, more interactive engagement. Held concurrently, these nine sessions will offer a workshop-style format focused on active discussion and case study exploration. Each session will spotlight a specific project or initiative that advances INTBAU’s mission through traditional building, architecture, or urbanism. From site redevelopments to community-led programmes, research workshops to built interventions, these sessions are an opportunity to explore Progress in Tradition in action—rooted in place, detail, and forward thinking.

Optional Day 4 | Saturday, 25 October – Special Tour of Nansledan

An exclusive guided tour of Nansledan, the award-winning urban extension to Newquay, delivered in partnership with the Duchy of Cornwall and the project’s architectural team at ADAM Architecture.

This special visit offers a unique opportunity to explore a living example of traditional urbanism in action.

Please note: participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation between London and Newquay. INTBAU will provide guidance on recommended train routes and logistics to help you plan your journey.

Meet the Speakers

Keynote

Salma 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.

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 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, Max Rutgers, and Philip Fry

ARCHITECTURE: Design & Practice

Deependra Prasad, Marianne Cusato, Chris Williamson, and María Sánchez

URBANISM: Place-making & Place-mending

Mieke Bosse, Hugh Petter, Patricia Canelas, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk (TBC)

Breakout Sessions

TBC

Special Tour of Nansledan

CORY M BABB

M.Arch, LEAD-AP

Senior Associate, Urban Design

Cory Babb is a Senior Associate urban and architectural designer at ADAM Architecture. He is a founding member of ADAM Urbanism, the urban design branch of the practice established in 2010 to reflect the firm’s growing prominence and expertise in traditional, sustainable urbanism.

Cory has extensive experience developing masterplans for new neighbourhoods, urban extensions, and infill projects across both England and the United States.

Since his first day on the job in 2008, he has played a central role in shaping Nansledan, a flagship development for the Duchy of Cornwall—helping to guide the vision and design through masterplan development, phase codes, architectural design, and securing a Local Development Order. Today, Nansledan is a nationally recognised, multi-award-winning development, with approximately 900 of the planned 4,000 homes completed.

Cory earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees with academic honours from Judson University in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining ADAM Urbanism, he developed his expertise in masterplanning at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. in the United States, one of the founding firms of the New Urbanism movement.

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.