In a written update, the Royal Institute of British Architects is celebrating its 200th anniversary, and committing to getting the profession out of what it calls an ‘impasse’
UK architecture is currently suffering from several issues, including declining fees and procurement issues.
RIBA’s statement commits to changing this and reforming the system for the good of the built environment.
Research has informed what RIBA intends to do
In order to bring positive change to the profession, RIBA has committed to:
1. Ensuring education delivers for all
- Collaborating with schools of architecture to promote a five-year qualification route to becoming an architect
- Addressing the challenges students face in securing practice placements
- Securing funding for Level 7 architecture apprentices up to 25 years old
- Reforming life long learning to allow individuals to curate their own careers
- Developing specialist registers and courses on areas of architectural expertise to upskill the profession and command higher fees and salaries
2. Better business practices
- Making fee information available to clients
- Improving public and private procurement
- Developing business skills through a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in architecture
- Ensuring a competitive Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) market
- Establishing the use of early evaluation in advance of potential disputes and mediation as standard
- Delivering policies and guidance on technology use, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Embedding equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the profession and wider sector
3. Reforming the regulatory system and improving standards
- Driving changes to architects’ regulation and oversight through our “repeal, reserve and regulate” campaign
- Lobbying to improve the planning system and the National Planning Policy Framework
4. Promoting the profile of the profession
- Undertaking a campaign demonstrating the value our members bring to clients
- Ensuring architects are involved in major housing developments and new towns
- Advocating the need for architects in local and regional government to ensure design quality
Jack Pringle, chair of the Board of Trustees at RIBA, said: “The architecture profession is evolving, and RIBA is leading that change. This plan sets out our full commitment to breaking down the systems and barriers that can limit opportunity and progress.
“From reforming professional regulation, to boosting business skills and viability through lifelong learning and specialist training, to raising the profile of architects so people truly understand the value we bring – change is urgently needed. Some of this work is already underway, and some of the actions on the table are ambitious, but we are ready to meet the challenge.”
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