9th Architectural Finishes Research Conference
Tracing History – Layers of Cultural Evidence
Vienna, Austria | 3-6 November 2027
About the Conference
Tracing History – Layers of Cultural Evidence
The 9th AFR Conference will bring together specialists from around the world to exchange ideas and discuss recent developments in interpreting, preserving, and managing historical finishes. The event aims to strengthen communication among the many disciplines involved in built heritage conservation and to enhance shared insight into the ways architectural surfaces document and express cultural histories.
Through the conference themes, participants will explore similarities and differences between regional practice and international approaches. Topics will include themes such as:
- Interpreting layers through field, archival, and lab work
- Defining and refining best-practice approaches
- Advancing accessible, FAIR-aligned long-term documentation
The organizing partners invite conservators, heritage managers, architects, heritage consultants, policymakers, conservation scientists, documentation specialists, researchers, and advanced students to join this international gathering, share current research, learn from one another, and help strengthen the global AFR community.
The 9th AFR Conference will take place in Vienna, Austria, from 3–6 November 2027. The event is jointly organized by the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (AKbild), the Austrian Association for Restorers (ÖRV), and the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Austria Section (IIC Austria), with support from the Austrian Federal Monuments Authority.
The 2027 conference theme, “Tracing History – Layers of Cultural Evidence,” explores how architectural finishes provide insights into the histories of buildings, their users, and the societies that shaped them. The conference will be hosted at the historic Semperdepot, built in 1877 as a production and storage facility for stage sets of the Vienna Royal-Imperial Court Opera and Theatre, now home to the Academy’s studios and the Plaster Cast Collection. This inspiring setting will serve as the perfect backdrop for knowledge exchange, discussion, and research in architectural finishes.
Coming soon...
Call for Abstracts
Venue & Travel
Details on the conference venue, transport, accommodation options, and practical information for planning your visit.
Programme
Timetable of talks, sessions, workshops, and keynotes will be published closer to the conference.
Organisers & Partners
