🎙️ You can also access the full Audio version of this Podcast by searching for 'Heritage Buildings Podcast' on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, PocketCasts, and your favourite podcast apps. Welcome to the Heritage Buildings Podcast! In this episode, Vincent Reed sits down with Louis Curtis, founder of Breakspear Conservation, to discuss his journey from school and kitchen fitting into conservation carpentry and specialist timber frame repair across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. Curtis shares how he developed his skills through the Building Crafts College and specialist timber frame repair courses, as well as a formative early project repairing a major eight-bay barn. He explains how enthusiasm, practical problem-solving, and a willingness to take on challenging work helped him establish his career in conservation. The conversation also explores the realities of running a small conservation business, including pricing work on historic buildings, managing unknowns, investigating existing structures, and setting realistic expectations with clients. Curtis discusses completing the MSc in Timber Building Conservation at the Weald and Downland Museum, support from the QUEST Scholarship and business training, his dissertation research into historic lime finishes and evidence of formerly plastered timber frames, and an experimental archaeology project in Copenhagen recreating a 1620 Stock Exchange roof truss using traditional tools. Topics covered include: • Louis Curtis's journey into conservation carpentry and specialist timber frame repair • Training at the Building Crafts College and learning through practical experience • Repairing historic timber frames, including a major eight-bay barn • Running a small conservation business, pricing work, and managing unknowns in old buildings • The MSc in Timber Building Conservation, QUEST Scholarship, and business training • Research into historic lime finishes, formerly plastered timber frames, and experimental archaeology • Recreating a 1620 Stock Exchange roof truss in Copenhagen using traditional tools Whether you're a conservation carpenter, timber framer, architect, building surveyor, heritage professional, student, or simply passionate about historic buildings and traditional craftsmanship, this episode offers valuable insights into the skills, research, and practical challenges involved in conserving Britain's historic timber buildings. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the video with relevant timestamps (Click the time on the left to jump straight to that section) 00:00 Welcome & Guest Intro: Louis on Heritage Timber Framing 01:38 From Skateboarding to Carpentry 03:01 Discovering Building Conservation 05:14 Falling for Timber Frames 08:49 Finding Work and Mentors 09:33 First Big Barn Breakthrough 12:49 Why Enthusiasm Wins Jobs 14:40 Growing Breakspear Conservation 15:38 Pricing and Opening Up 17:54 Managing Clients and Scope 21:16 Running a Small Team 24:34 MSc at Weald and Downland 27:57 How the Masters Is Taught 31:24 Getting In and Who It Suits 33:10 QUEST Scholarship Support 36:38 Inspiring Kids Into Crafts 38:17 AI and the Craft Revival 40:04 Hiring Young People Today 42:58 Lime Finishes Research 48:06 Exposed Frames Debate 53:42 Limewash Benefits Explained 55:58 Brick Infill And Mortar 57:36 Hair Lime Plaster Mixes 01:00:12 Copenhagen Truss Project 01:07:55 Traditional Tools And Timber 01:15:40 Home Renovation And Wrap Up Connect with Louis Curtis and explore his work using the links below: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-curtis-a8929360/ Breakspear Conservation https://www.breakspearconservation.com/ https://www.instagram.com/breakspearconservation/ Louis Curtis’ Presentation at the Historic England & Lime Finishes Group Symposium: https://vimeo.com/1190484023/2fdac7828c?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci More interesting presentations: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/buildings/maintenance-and-repair-of-older-buildings/what-s-the-point-2-lime-finishes-in-a-changing-climate-symposium/ Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust https://www.qest.org.uk/ Inspiring the Future https://www.inspiringthefuture.org/ Weald and Downland MSc courses https://www.wealddown.co.uk/courses/msc-degrees/. Kongevaerk- Reconstruction of a roof truss from the Copenhagen Stock Exchange https://stolpverk.org/projekt-kongevaerk-i-kobenhavn-20-29-april-2026/ https://stolpverk.org/invitation-till-invigningen-av-kongevaerket-fran-borsen/ *🔗 Learn more about the Heritage Buildings Association* https://heritagebuildingsassociation.com *Click here to join the conversation:* https://heritagebuildings.forum/share/dDYOnkLWJAkaA5xE?utm_source=manual 👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to support the heritage buildings community! #ConservationCarpentry #TimberFrameRestoration #ConservationCarpenter
