The National University of Singapore’s Architectural Conservation Laboratory (NUS-ArCLab) and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF) have launched the Introduction to Heritage Skills and Technology for Conservation, a two-week summer school on heritage skills and technology for conservation. Run by NUS-ArCLab and funded by CHF, this programme brings together 24 selected participants from Commonwealth nations for lectures, hands-on workshops and site visits focused on stained glass, timber and lime.
Held from 25 June to 7 July 2026, the programme marks the first collaboration between NUS-ArCLab and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum on a heritage and conservation skills training initiative in Singapore. NUS-ArCLab was established in November 2022 as a research and training centre within the Department of Architecture under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS.
Opening addresses mark start of programme
Day One of the summer school, held at NUS-ArCLab, opened with welcome addresses by Associate Professor Cheah Kok Ming, Deputy Head (Architecture), and Lucy Hughes, Acting British High Commissioner to Singapore. In her remarks, Hughes underscored the importance of conservation in shaping Singapore’s historical narrative, noting that elements of the island’s heritage can still be seen throughout the country.
This was followed by a talk by Francis Maude, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum, on the organisation’s role in strengthening traditional craft skills, setting the tone for the summer school’s emphasis on knowledge-sharing and skills development across the Commonwealth.
Participants also gained insights into the role of values in heritage management through a presentation by Dr Nikhil Joshi (Architecture), Director of the summer school and Principal Investigator at NUS-ArCLab, which emphasised the importance of thoughtful conservation approaches in safeguarding built heritage.
Heritage learning extends beyond the classroom
Following the morning launch segment, participants took part in a curated series of talks and visits introducing them to Singapore’s conservation landscape. This included a session by Lewis Hobbs from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings on what being an SPAB Scholar entails, as well as visits to the Neil Road Conservation Area, the recently conserved Chin Woo Association Building, the URA City Gallery and the National Gallery Singapore. Together, these activities allowed participants to connect the morning’s discussions with real examples of conservation practice in Singapore’s urban context.
Building skills in traditional crafts and conservation
The summer school will continue over the next two weeks with a mix of practical workshops, lectures and site visits. Participants will receive training in stained glass conservation, timber and lime, while also being introduced to topics such as digital surveying, craftsmanship, sustainability and climate change.
By bringing together international expertise, local case studies and hands-on learning, the summer school reflects a shared commitment by NUS-ArCLab and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum to strengthening heritage conservation capabilities and supporting the transfer of traditional craft knowledge to a new generation of practitioners.
