What can buildings do for us?

The Buildings Archaeology Group of the Chartered Institute for Archaeology want to open up a debate about the value of looking at buildings as part of the archaeology of our everyday landscapes and places, including their role in creating habitats for wildlife. Some historic buildings and areas are designated for their special interest, but what about the spaces and places that developed along with them, from gardens to parks and farmyards, and were shaped by them? What about the far greater number of buildings that may be considered to be historic and so meriting some consideration when places change, or indeed buildings of the recent past which are part of the unfolding story of places where we live, shop and work? How can understanding their significance, and how they have changed in response to changing needs, help to unlock new ways of thinking? Jeremy Lake, Catherine Bell and Bev Kerr will present some examples of recent work, from work with primary schools to detailed survey and thinking about buildings at a landscape scale.