About

Building Learning is a new heritage education consultancy.

Emma Griffiths, BA Hons, MSc, IHBC, PGCE.

Background

BA Hons: History of Art, University College London.
MSc: Architectural Conservation Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot Watt University.
The two degrees were separated by work as a Production Manager in the garment industry, arranging cloth purchase and clothing manufacture across Asia, for wholesale in the UK.

The William Adam Tercentennial Exhibition, organised by a committee led by James Simpson of Simpson and Brown Architects, and held in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery followed the Masters degree. The exhibition received much positive critical acclaim.

Organising and co-ordinating a year long series of events celebrating the Jubilee of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland came next. Events included travelling exhibitions; academic conferences; formal dinners. Events that drew public attention to the diversity of architecture in Scotland, its fascinating history, and the excitement of future possibilities.

A post leading The Architectural Heritage Society followed. Between 1991 ad 1994, membership increased by 25%, matched by increases in funding; and also the Society�s media profile. Campaigning on major conservation issues raised the credibility of the organisation and public awareness of issues such as architectural theft.

The Scott Monument, maintained by Edinburgh Council, was programmed to be stone cleaned. The AHSS championed a spirited public campaign against the proposals, ending in a Public Enquiry, which concurred with the AHSS view that cleaning would irreparably damage the fabric.

A period overseas followed, teaching English as a Foreign Language to adults in Chile, followed by a short spell working for Oxford University Press in Latin America, promoting their English Language teaching materials.

The seeds of adventure thus sown, the next 5 years were spent on an ocean going yacht in various parts of the North and South Atlantic.

1999 was the year of return to Edinburgh, conservation, and appointment as Manager of the Little Houses Improvement Scheme, the much copied model for revolving fund Building Preservation Trusts originated by the National Trust for Scotland in the 1930s.

A development role for the East Lothian Learning Partnership followed the LHIS appointment, bringing an in depth understanding of community development, and the mechanisms and challenges of delivering lifelong learning.

A post graduate teaching qualification, PGCE Primary, followed in 2004-5, with two years teaching in primary schools in East Lothian. During the academic session 2006-7, classroom teaching was part time, with an ongoing secondment to a Microsoft funded education programme, supporting innovation in teaching using information and communications technologies. This has proved an excellent opportunity to engage with primary and secondary schools throughout the authority, gain a picture of best practice, and use IT to share and develop good ideas.