Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction – Call for Expressions of Interest

Workshop on the Economic History of Enterprises in

the Construction Industry, 1550–1800

(London, late 2026/early 2027)

We invite expressions of interest and paper proposals for participation in a focused academic workshop on the economic and business history of the global construction industry between 1550 and 1900. The workshop aims to bring together scholars working on the history of construction firms and enterprises, to deepen our understanding of construction enterprises, and how building projects, their designers, managers, contractors, suppliers, owners and operatives functioned as commercial organisations.

The construction industry was one of the early-modern period’s largest employers, and one of its most capital-intensive, and technologically innovative sectors. Yet it is usually treated through a corporatist lens in economic history, as a traditional craft-led sector, governed by guilds, (particularly in Europe) where skills and technology were constant and perennial. This is at odds with records of projects small and large, and with the pivotal importance of infrastructure and engineering to industrialisation and development.

This workshop aims to shift attention away from traditional narratives of guilds, crafts, and cultural and occupational identity, and instead highlight the commercial, contract, organisational, and financial dimensions of the industry. We are especially interested in contributions that address the following (although ALL contributions will be considered):

• The nature of the contracting ‘firm’, and the relationship between ownership, management, clients and suppliers

• Labour organisation, training and employment: How were builders, craftsmen, labourers, and subcontractors bound to enterprises and projects? What kinds of formal and informal agreements structured these relationships, and how did they affect incentives, risks, and bargaining power?

• Supply chain integration: How were raw materials such procured, transported, and allocated? What were the financial arrangements? What strategies were developed to ensure continuity of supply, and how were shortages, delays, or price shocks managed?

• Technological change: How did evolving scientific knowledge affect building techniques, design practices, and plant and tools? To what extent did technical knowledge circulate between regions and trades, and how did innovation reshape the industry’s organisation?

• Financial risk and investment: How were large projects financed, and by whom? How were risks calculated, shared, or concealed among patrons, contractors, and financiers? What role did credit instruments and accounting practices play in sustaining long projects?

• Enterprises in colonial contexts

• Businesses led by women

• Non-capitalist business models

• Changes over time in any/all of these

It is anticipated that the workshop will be held in late 2026 or early 2027 in London and will involve pre-circulated papers and structured discussion panels to maximise opportunities for dialogue and comparative analysis. Our aim will be to collaborate to develop new analysis and findings for publication, potentially in a ‘new’ economic history of construction enterprises. We welcome proposals that combine archival research with interdisciplinary perspectives from fields such as financial history, business and management history, legal history, art history, archaeology, and the history of science and technology (etc).

Scholars at all career stages are encouraged to express their interest (up 350 words stating research interest and details of any related projects and research and queries) or paper proposals (extended abstract up to 350 words). Please send to Judy Z. Stephenson, Professor of the Economic History of the Built Environment and Dr Alex Kulakov, Lecturer in Construction Economics, at The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction along with a brief biographical note, by Monday February 9th, 2026.

Queries, notes, comments or details of related projects and research are also welcome.