The organization arose from a research project initiated in 2000 at The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment and undertaken by Dr Matthew Hardy, an architect and architectural historian.
Local, regional and national traditions provide the opportunity for communities to retain their individuality with the advance of globalization.
INTBAU brings together those who design, make, maintain, study or enjoy traditional building, architecture and places.
The organization now has chapters (regional sub-groups) in Albania, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the USA.
Projects are generally initiated by Chapters or members and resourced locally in line with the organization's overall environmental and social focus.