Building conservation specialist and conservation supervision
An old house tells you itself what can be changed, if you know how to read it. Arkigroup helps property owners, housing cooperatives, businesses and municipalities to develop historic buildings without destroying what makes them valuable. We carry out the heritage assessment and design the conversion in the same project, so that the municipality and the County Administrative Board receive documentation they can approve.
Tell us about your building Is the building q-marked? See what applies
- 1 working day to reply
- 20 min free consultation
- 4,6 out of 5 on Google
What does a building conservation specialist do?
A building conservation specialist investigates and documents a building's cultural and historical values and advises on how it can be altered, renovated or extended without those values being lost. The work begins with a heritage value assessment and can end with conservation supervision on site and a final report to the County Administrative Board or the municipality.
When do you need a building conservation specialist?
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The building is q-marked or k-marked
The detailed development plan has protection or careful alteration provisions, and the municipality wants to see how the change affects the values before granting a building permit.
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The municipality asks for a heritage assessment
When applying for a building or demolition permit for a building in a conservation programme or an area of national interest for cultural heritage conservation.
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The inspection plan requires a certified cultural heritage expert
The building committee can require a certified cultural heritage inspector to review the work.
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The building is a listed building or a church
Alterations require permission from the County Administrative Board under the Historic Environment Act, often with conditions requiring conservation supervision.
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You are applying for a grant for cultural heritage conservation
Grants from the County Administrative Board often require conservation supervision and documentation.
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You want to know before you buy or plan
A value assessment shows early on what is possible, before you have spent money on drawings.
Building conservation services
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Heritage value assessment and inventory
Archives, older drawings and an on-site inspection reveal the building's history, the changes made to it and which parts carry its value.
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Preliminary heritage investigation
In-depth investigation before a restoration, for example of paint layers, render, windows or structure.
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Heritage impact assessment
How a planned change affects the heritage values, as supporting documentation for a building permit, demolition permit or detailed development plan.
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Conservation supervision
We follow the work on site, document it and write the final report to the County Administrative Board or the municipality.
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Sensitive design
Drawings and specifications in which materials, methods and details are chosen with the building in mind. Read more about building permit drawings and structural drawings.
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Advice before buying and planning
A shorter review that shows what is possible before you decide.
How historic buildings are protected
Which rules apply depends on how the building is protected. The careful alteration requirement applies to all buildings, the other forms of protection only where they have been decided.
| Protection | Applies to | Decided by | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Careful alteration requirement | All buildings (PBL Chapter 8, Section 17) | Applies automatically | Alterations must respect the building's character and values |
| Prohibition on disfigurement | Particularly valuable buildings (PBL Chapter 8, Section 13) | Assessed by the municipality | The building must not be disfigured, even if it is not q-marked |
| Protection provision (q) and demolition ban (r) | Buildings designated in a detailed development plan | The municipality | What is protected must not be altered or demolished, and the building permit is assessed against the provision |
| Listed building | Buildings of exceptionally high cultural and historical value (Historic Environment Act, Chapter 3) | The County Administrative Board | Alterations require permission from the County Administrative Board, often with conservation supervision |
| Ecclesiastical heritage | Church buildings and churchyards (Historic Environment Act, Chapter 4) | The County Administrative Board | Alterations usually require permission from the County Administrative Board |
Conservation specialist and architect on the same project
Often the heritage assessment is done by one consultant and the drawings by another. The assessment then becomes an obstacle for the architect to work around. At Arkigroup they sit at the same table from the start, so that the value assessment shapes the proposal instead of stopping it. That means fewer requests for additional information from the municipality and a building that still feels like itself after the conversion.
How it works
First conversation
You tell us about the building and what you want to do. We check the detailed development plan, any protection and what the municipality or the County Administrative Board will require.
Archives and inventory
Older drawings, building permit documents and history, plus an on-site inspection with photographs and documentation.
Heritage value assessment
Which parts carry the value and what can be changed.
Proposal and impact assessment
Drawings for the alteration and a description of how it affects the heritage values.
Permits and consents
Application for a building permit, demolition permit or consent from the County Administrative Board, with an inspection plan.
Supervision and final report
Follow-up during construction, documentation and a report to the authority that requires it.
Who we help
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Property owners and housing cooperatives
Who are renovating facades, replacing windows, converting attics or adapting older premises.
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Businesses
Who want their office, shop or hotel in a historic building.
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Municipalities and the public sector
Who need documentation for detailed development plans, conservation programmes or their own properties.
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Private individuals
Who own an older house and want to convert or extend it without spoiling it.
Making the most of what is already there
An existing building has already used materials and energy to build. By repairing instead of replacing, and choosing materials that work with the building, the conversion lasts longer and more of the building can remain. Read more about our work on the environment and sustainability.
Why choose Arkigroup
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Assessment and drawings from the same firm
The heritage value assessment and the architect's proposal are developed together.
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Experience with older buildings
Arkigroup AB was founded in 2018 by the architect Ali Alshammari, who has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry.
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Documentation that stands up with the authorities
We know what the municipality and the County Administrative Board need in order to make a decision.
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All the way to a finished building
The conversion can also be carried out as a design and build contract.
Frequently asked questions about building conservation specialists
What does a building conservation specialist do?
A building conservation specialist investigates and documents a building's cultural and historical values and advises on how it can be altered without those values being lost. The specialist can also follow the work on site and write a final report.
What is conservation supervision?
It means a heritage expert follows an alteration or restoration from planning to final inspection, documents the work and compiles a report. The County Administrative Board can require it for listed buildings, churches and when a grant for cultural heritage conservation is awarded.
What does it mean that a building is q-marked?
It means the detailed development plan contains a protection provision that designates the building as being of cultural and historical value. It must then not be disfigured, and a demolition ban often applies as well. What is protected is set out in the plan provision.
Can you convert a q-marked building?
Yes, but the alterations must respect what is protected. The municipality often asks for a heritage assessment or impact assessment before granting a building permit, and can require a certified cultural heritage expert in the inspection plan.
What is a heritage value assessment?
An analysis of the building's history, the changes made to it and which parts carry its value, for example the facade, windows, layout or fixed interior details. It forms the basis for every decision about what can be changed.
What is the difference between a building conservation specialist and a certified cultural heritage expert?
Building conservation specialist is a job title. Certified cultural heritage inspector is a certification from an accredited certification body under Boverket's rules, and is required when the building committee includes it in the inspection plan.
What is the careful alteration requirement?
The Planning and Building Act requires all alterations to buildings to be carried out carefully, so that the building's character and its technical, historical, cultural, environmental and artistic values are preserved. The requirement applies to all buildings, not only protected ones.
How much does a building conservation specialist cost?
It depends on the building and what is needed, from a shorter value assessment to supervision throughout construction. Tell us about your building and you will get a reply within one working day and a free quote as soon as we have the information we need.
Tell us about your building
Send us the address, a few photos and what you want to do, and you will get a reply within one working day and a free quote as soon as we have the information we need. Most of it is done digitally.
Thank you, your request has been sent
We will review it and reply within one working day, with a free quote as soon as we have the information we need. If it is urgent, feel free to call 013-15 10 00.
How it works
- NowYou send your request
Three fields are enough. If you have drawings, photos or a sketch, you can email them to us afterwards.
- 1 dayYou get a reply
We review the information and get back to you within one working day.
- ThenYou receive a quote
Free of charge, as soon as we have the information we need. We only start once you have approved it.
“Good results, quick response and transparent pricing.”
Prefer to talk directly? Call 013-15 10 00 or email info@arkigroup.se.