The Institute for Building History and Art History (IBK) at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg is an interdisciplinary teaching and research unit within the Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Urban Planning (Faculty 6). The institute's eight departments share in common an interest in cultural heritage in its historical, artistic and technical dimensions. In dialogue with colleagues in the planning and design areas of the faculty, the IBK sees itself as a network of reflexive disciplines that address current challenges in the development of the built environment from the perspective of historical knowledge and theoretical analysis.
The following fields are represented at the Institute: Architectural Conservation, Architectural Theory, Architecture and Visualization, Art History, Building History, Construction History, Cultural Management, and Heritage Management.
In addition to numerous third-party funded projects, the IBK is also home to the DFG Priority Programme "Cultural Heritage in Construction" (SPP 2255).
The Institute has its own Reference Library, which is open to all instructors, researchers and students of the university. The library is located on the lower level of Building 2D.
Together, the IBK’s professors and instructors oversee the Bachelor's degree programme in "Building History and Art History" (B.A.), which started in the winter semester of 2022-23. They are also actively involved in all of the degree programmes offered in Faculty 6, including Architecture (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), Climate-Adapted Construction and Operation (M.Sc.), Civil Engineering (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), Urban and Regional Planning (B.Sc.) and Urban Planning and Urban Design (M.Sc.), as well as the international, English-language Master's degree programmes in World Heritage Studies (M.A.), Heritage Conservation and Site Management (M.A.) and Urban Design – Revitalization of Historic City Districts (M.Sc.).Doctorates can be pursued in all of the fields represented at the IBK. The professors also supervise doctoral projects in the internationally oriented, English-language PhD program Heritage Studies, with its structured curriculum.