An associate at Aberdeenshire-based Lippe Architects + Planners Ltd, Debbie submitted her Historic Building Portfolio to the RIBA in March following several months of preparation.

She is one of only a handful of architects registered in the north east of Scotland with the recognised expertise to work alongside Historic Environment Scotland and The National Trust on some of their grant-funded restoration projects.

This prestigious accreditation enables Debbie to join an elite list of conservation architects on the RIBA Conservation Register, which enable individuals and organisations looking to commission work on historic buildings UK wide, to find architects with the specific skills and experience they require for their restoration project, encompassing all aspects of historic building conservation, repair and maintenance. The assessors were impressed by both the range of projects and the knowledge evidenced, and have encouraged Debbie to now work towards Level Three as a Specialist Conservation Architect (SCA).

Debbie has over 17 years experience; joining Lippe Architects + Planners based in Inverurie, in 2007 and promoted to associate architect and team leader in 2016. During this time, Debbie has worked closely with company founder William Lippe, gaining expertise on a range of historical and restoration projects, including the Grade A Listed Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen and the restoration of the Earl of Kintore’s Keithhall Estate, a ‘designed landscape’ in Inverurie, which has included a development within a B Listed wall garden setting, as well as leading her team on more mainstream projects in the practice.

Commenting on her success, Debbie noted: “This has been the culmination of a life-long fascination with historic buildings, and I would like to recognise this endorsement as recognition of the guidance and knowledge gained while working at Lippe Architects and also the support of my family while working towards the submission.”

A keen cyclist, Debbie also sits on the Inverurie Business Association and is currently helping organise a number of community initiatives.

The RIBA Conservation Register has three levels of membership, which provides an incremental process of accreditation for those who are in the early phases of establishing their careers in building conservation. These levels are:

• Specialist Conservation Architect (SCA) A Specialist Conservation Architect has authoritative knowledge of conservation practice and extensive experience of working with historic buildings
• Conservation Architect (CA) A Conservation Architect has in-depth knowledge and experience of working with historic buildings
• Conservation Registrant (CR) A Conservation Registrant has an awareness of the issues involved in working with historic buildings and has attended a conservation course approved by the RIBA.