Heritage Crafts Panel Talk: the power of communal making
As part of the 2026 London Festival of Architecture, Faye Davies will be participating in a Heritage Crafts Panel Talk: the power of communal making. Designed to be an engaging and lively discussion on traditional heritage crafts the panel will examine why a career in the trades can be so rewarding.
The event is organised by the London Borough of Haringey with Alexandra Park and Palace, who are launching their 10-year Strategic Plan. One of the Plan’s key objectives focusses on creating new career pathways through heritage crafts.
Image: Lloyd Winters
Festivalgoers are invited to a thought-provoking panel discussion with heritage experts Faye Davies (Burrell Foley Fisher); architectural historian Neal Shasore; Lewis Proudfoot (Cliveden Conservation); and Ally Pally’s Head of Property Iain McDonald. Completing the line-up is Hannah Parham (Historic England), who will chair the conversation, teasing out why the learning and passing-down of heritage crafts, like stonemasonry or lime plastering, can act as a social anchor and why a career in heritage skills can be so fulfilling.
As an RIBA-accredited Specialist Conservation Architect, Faye has led a number of recent projects for BFF Architects at Alexandra Palace. These include the restoration of the North East Office Building, which transformed the final inaccessible area within the seven-acre complex from an unsafe and deteriorating structure into a secure, weatherproof shell. She is currently collaborating with the Trust to explore options for its future use.
Faye is deeply committed to the preservation of traditional heritage crafts, recognising their vital role in connecting people to history, community, and cultural identity, while celebrating individuality and human expression. Skilled craftspeople are essential to the sensitive and authentic restoration of historic buildings. By safeguarding and promoting traditional craftsmanship, valuable techniques and cultural knowledge can be preserved for future generations. Heritage crafts also support sustainability, encourage mindful making, and foster an appreciation for quality and longevity. Their preservation not only honours the past, but also inspires future generations to value creativity, culture, and skilled artistry.
The London Festival of Architecture is a month-long annual festival celebrating architecture, urban design, and city-making. It brings together architects, artists, designers, local communities, councils, students, and the public through hundreds of events held across the city.
Admission to the Panel Talk is free but does require advance booking, which can be made here: