RIBA news events 2024, Architecture Gallery London, UK buildings, British architects practices

RIBA News Events 2024

Royal Institute of British Architects Exhibition + Talks + Events in London, England, UK future trends.

20 November 2024

Architects’ optimism about workloads softens: RIBA Future Trends October 2024

The RIBA Future Trends October 2024 report shows that architects’ outlook on future workloads remains positive, but confidence has softened compared to last month.

Adrian Malleson, RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis, said:

“On balance, practices remain positive about Future Workload, but only just. The recent gains in overall outlook and sectoral confidence have fallen back somewhat this month. Practices are increasingly cautious about recruitment, with a zero Staffing Index indicating a steady outlook.

While the North of England remains positive, the South of England (excluding the capital) has seen marked falls in confidence and recruiting intention. After increasing confidence across the monitored sectors, this month sees all four soften, with a negative outlook.

Commentary received from practices described projects being put on hold as practices, clients and contractors awaited the new government’s first budget. Practices also reported higher-risk building (HRB) projects being put on hold or progressing slowly, with clients being reluctant to commission HRB projects, and contractors being reluctant to tender for them. While awaiting the budget, practices described ongoing planning delays, a still weak economy, and elevated (though slowly falling) interest rates holding back the sector.”

18 November 2024

RIBA’s warning to Chartered Practices : Uphold the Real Living Wage and reject unpaid overtime

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Monday 18 November 2024, issued guidance to RIBA Chartered Practices outlining their responsibilities to ensure fair compensation and working conditions for all employees.

The RIBA Practice Note: Workplace Wellbeing sets out best practice guidance, reminding RIBA Chartered Practices operating in the UK that:

• They are required to pay at least the Real Living Wage (or London Living Wage where relevant) as defined by the Living Wage Foundation to all staff, including freelancers and students.

• Apprentices must be paid at least the Real Living Wage for hours worked in practice and at least the statutory minimum wage for study days.

• New Real Living Wage rates of £13.85 for London and £12.60 for the rest of the UK were published in October and employers should implement them by 1 May 2025.

The guidance points to RIBA’s Business Benchmarking 2024 data, which shows that while there is widespread compliance with this requirement, Apprentices, Architectural Assistants, and office management, support and admin staff are most at risk of not receiving the Real Living Wage. Regional analysis reveals that, for the lower salary quartile, Part 1 Architectural Assistants in London and Apprentices (Level 6 or 7) in London and the South-West & Wessex do not receive the current Real Living Wage, that came into force in May 2024.

The guidance also warns of the consequences of unpaid overtime, outlining how extra hours worked can be recompensed through time off in lieu (TOIL) and flexible working hours. It urges Chartered Practices not to put employee wellbeing at risk and warns that unrecompensed overtime could tip an employee’s hourly wage below the Real Living Wage, clearly breaching their obligations as a Chartered Practice.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Architecture is a fulfilling but demanding career. Our profession is not unique in its culture of unpaid overtime, but the difference is that architects’ salaries don’t reflect the actual amount of work they do – nor the value of it.

My first priority as RIBA President, as set out in my Biennial Plan, is to champion measures to improve workplace wellbeing. Our profession is a force for good, but to reach its full potential, it needs a cultural shift.

Like many things in life, it’s about balance – we need to normalise flexible working arrangements, not expect or require overtime that can’t be compensated, and promote wellbeing to ensure people feel valued. A culture of long hours and low pay, after a long route to professional qualification, is an unreasonable reward for the effort expended to join our profession. It undermines our profession and excludes people, including those with caring responsibilities or disabilities. Attracting and retaining diverse talent is a prerequisite for delivering architecture that responds to the needs of everyone in society.

This Practice Note is a strong reminder and cautionary note to all RIBA Chartered Practices that they must ensure fair and equal treatment of all employees, as a core principle of the Code of Practice they abide by.”

Read the RIBA Practice Note: Workplace Wellbeing.

15 November 2024

Architecture resilient, with RIBA Chartered Practice revenue topping £4bn for first time

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its annual Business Benchmarking report today, Friday 15 November 2024.

Using data submitted by UK-based RIBA Chartered Practices, it tracks business trends in the twelve months to 1 May 2024, including revenue, expenditure, profitability, salaries, types of work and global areas of growth. The full report is exclusively available to RIBA Chartered Practices.

The findings show a resilient profession that continues to grow revenue and secure international work, particularly in the EU. However, it also shows that practices continue to face tighter profit margins amid rising costs.

Key findings from the RIBA Business Benchmarking 2024 report include:

• Total revenue from RIBA Chartered Practices has increased by 13%, topping £4 billion for the first time. This follows 2023’s remarkable 17% increase in revenue.
• Average practice revenue has grown, with the biggest boost for medium-sized practices (10-50 employees).
• Despite increasing revenues, a steep rise in overheads caused profits as a percentage of revenue to fall by 2%.
• Payroll made up 54% of total practice expenditure. For most practices, payroll grew faster than revenue, squeezing profit margins, with large practices feeling the squeeze the most.
• Practices are optimistic about the coming year, predicting 8% growth in revenue.
• While private housing work was responsible for 27% of revenue overall, it remains vital to small practices, making up over 50% of revenue for practices with less than 10 staff.
• Revenue from international work surged by 25%, building on last year’s strong growth.
• The EU accounted for nearly half of all international work, while work in traditional markets such as Asia and the Middle East declined.
• Large practices (100+ staff) were responsible for 81% of international revenue.
• The overall contribution of international projects to total practice revenue has almost doubled in two years.
• Staff numbers increased by 8% to over 40,000 people.
• Improvements in Diversity and Inclusion are slow. 39% of staff identified as female and less then 1% non-binary/other. 84% of staff were white. The gender pay gap was 16% and the ethnicity pay gap was 13%.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Our annual Business Benchmarking report captures the pulse of UK architecture and stands testament to its status as a global success story.

This year’s findings demonstrate the resilience of RIBA Chartered Practices who have increased overall revenue in a challenging year and remain optimistic about near-term prospects as they recover from economic and political instability.

One thing is clear: architecture remains a powerhouse of the UK’s creative economy and global trade.

Despite the fact that higher revenue has not necessarily brought higher profits, architecture has proven it can overcome considerable external challenges, from delays in the planning system to raised interest rates.

Thank you to all those who contributed. Monitoring trends and opportunities allows us to build an accurate picture of the health of our profession so that we can continue to offer the relevant support to help all our members thrive, no matter where they live or work.”

Read a summary of the RIBA Business Benchmarking 2024 report.

4 November 2024

RIBA slams ARB reforms to degree awarding powers

‘The change risks haemorrhaging talent’: RIBA slams ARB reforms to degree awarding powers

Monday 4th of November 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) consultation on Accreditation Rule 4.2: Degree awarding powers, which closed today, Monday 4 November 2024.

The consultation proposes a change in wording from ‘qualification awarding powers’ to ‘degree awarding powers’. This means ARB will require any learning provider who is applying for accreditation of a master’s level or equivalent qualification to have degree awarding powers, or a formal agreement with a body with such powers.

If the proposed change is taken forward, those learning providers who do not hold degree awarding powers or a formal agreement with a body with such powers would immediately be disqualified from ARB accreditation.

Background on RIBA’s qualification awarding powers

RIBA is a provider of architectural education through the RIBA Part 3 and RIBA Studio programme (equivalent level to a Part 1 bachelor’s and Part 2 master’s degree). Since 1837, our Royal Charter has enshrined our ability to award our own qualifications, granting us the independence to award certificates and diplomas in our own right. Our current RIBA Studio diploma is already recognised as a master’s level equivalent qualification and our external examiners recognise this in their reports.

We are pleased to partner with Oxford Brookes University for the management of RIBA Studio, and the terms of our arrangement mean that ARB’s proposed amendment to its Accreditation Rule 4.2 is currently satisfied.

Responding to the consultation, Chair of RIBA Board of Trustees Jack Pringle said:
“ARB’s proposal will seriously hamper the development of new pathways into architecture – at a time when the need for more flexible routes to qualification have never been greater. The change risks haemorrhaging talent and threatens the future diversity of our profession.

We support ARB moving to an outcomes-based approach to education, just as RIBA has always done, to widen access to the profession in a robust and well-regulated way.

However, this elitist and ill-judged proposal is a barrier to learning providers that supply innovative and diverse routes to the required professional qualifications. Indeed, such alternative routes are welcomed and nurtured in the accountancy and legal professions.

RIBA Studio is a lifeline for those working in practice with financial, family or other commitments that prevent them from returning to full-time or even part-time university study to become an architect. It has the flexibility to suspend studies when needed, demonstrating the value of different routes to registration.

We continue to advocate for our members, students and schools of architecture, holding ARB to account on educational reform – and working together to deliver a robust education system for all.”

30 October 2024

Clear intent but more ambition needed to fix housing crisis: RIBA responds to Autumn Budget 2024

Wednesday 30th of October 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s 2024 Autumn Budget.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Given the huge demand for housing, the £500 million top-up to the Affordable Homes Programme – as part of today’s Budget – is desperately needed. But this pocket-sized sum isn’t going to deliver a home for everybody who needs one, including the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for social housing.

Alongside calling for next year’s Spending Review to boost the social housing pot, we urge the Government to consider its overall approach to funding social homes. This includes exploring different models that reduce the net cost of delivery, such as that outlined in our report, Foundations for the Future.

Fundamentally, housebuilding needs to be more than a numbers game. Places must be well-designed, well-connected, inclusive and accessible, which means ensuring sufficient infrastructure is developed alongside new homes. That means building on today’s infrastructure announcements – because, ultimately, we must create places where people want to live.”

15 October 2024

RIBA responds to the Government’s industrial strategy

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Tuesday 15 October, responded to the publication of the Government’s green paper Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:

“There is much to welcome in today’s industrial strategy, which emphasises the importance of delivering growth while remaining committed to net zero.

A place-based approach to renewal is positive, but devolved authorities must be properly supported to achieve this. Architects also have a vital role to play to ensure the best possible outcomes across the country.

However, steps must be taken to ensure that places which have suffered from underinvestment are not left behind.

The creative industries are a powerhouse for growth, and we are pleased to see this recognised. To maximise their potential, the Government must facilitate access to a continued pipeline of domestic and international talent, including strengthening the mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the EU.

Expertise from the built environment sector will be central to the strategy’s success, and we look forward to working with the Government on this plan to improve lives.”

Previously on e-architect:

23 September 2024

Reduce cost of delivering social housing by using public land and reinvesting profits, says RIBA report.

Monday 23 September 2024 – Foundations for the Future: a new delivery model for social housing, the report published today, Monday 23 September 2024, by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), proposes building new homes on publicly-owned sites to help deliver new social housing.

It sets out a model to create a pipeline of new social housing, reducing the need for continuous central government funding. It proposes that local authorities in England receive a fixed initial investment from central government in order to:

• Build new homes on land which is free at the point of use, thereby eliminating or reducing land cost, leaving only construction costs

• Deliver mixed-tenure developments with both social and market homes

• Sell the market homes to create an income stream, and reinvest all proceeds to build more homes, making the model almost self-sustaining, according to RIBA analysis

The model addresses the urgent need for more social housing, with almost 1.3 million households currently on waiting lists – the highest since 2014. Right to Buy led to the sale of 118,000 social homes between 2012/13 and 2022/23, but only funded 41,000 new social homes over the same period, resulting in a net reduction in social housing stock.

Over 30 years, RIBA’s model delivers £2.23 worth of social value for every £1 invested. This accounts for the economic benefits of providing social housing, such as increased employment and improved health and education outcomes.

We spend £1.24 billion every year on reducing homelessness in England, including temporary accommodation. The report shows that a one-off investment of the same amount could fund over 20,000 new homes (including over 13,000 social homes) over ten years.

RIBA Chair of the Board of Trustees Jack Pringle said:
“For most people experiencing housing insecurity, social housing is the only route to an affordable, secure home. The need for social housing is greater than ever, and public sector provision is the only way to build it at the scale required.

This model shows how resources can be allocated to help to create a new generation of social homes while minimising other costs, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. By demonstrating a different approach to housing delivery, we hope to encourage new ways of thinking, either by building on our model or through complementary initiatives.

Of course, new homes must be accompanied by the necessary amenities and infrastructure such as schools and public transport to create well-designed places that stand the test of time.

To meet the Government’s target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029, we need to think differently – and act now. As architects, we stand ready to tackle this challenge head on; to design and build the next generation of quality homes surrounded by vibrant communities that stand the test of time.”

RIBA 66 Portland Place in London, England, UK:

Previously on e-architect:

22 August 2024

Architects expect higher workloads and staffing levels despite slide in optimism: RIBA Future Trends July 2024

Thursday 22th of August 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

The July 2024 findings show that, over the next three months, architects still expect higher workloads and staffing levels, although the outlook has mellowed since June.

Architects expect increasing workloads despite pessimism among smaller practices

In July, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index fell by 3 points to +1, indicating that architects expect workloads to increase overall.

Over the next three months, 23% of practices expect workloads to increase, 22% expect them to decrease, and 54% expect them to stay the same.

The outlook for small practices (1-10 staff) fell by 10 points to a Workload Index figure of -6, a considerable deterioration after two months of optimism about workloads. Meanwhile, the outlook for medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remained optimistic, rallying by 33 points to +44 – the highest figure for two years.

The regional picture remains mixed. London (-10) fell in confidence by 7 points and the South of England (-2) fell by 4 points, while Wales and the West (0) held steady. The outlook for the North of England (+10) fell by 5 points, and the Midlands and East Anglia (+14) rose by 4 points, both remaining firmly positive.

The outlook among monitored work sectors also remains mixed. While the Commercial sector (+2) fell by 3 points, it remains positive. The outlook for the Private Housing sector (-1) and Community sector (-5) held steady; and, while still negative, the outlook for the Public sector (-3) improved by 2 points, the most optimistic it has been since June 2022.

Architects’ optimism about recruitment mellows

In July, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index fell by 4 points to +2. The positive figure indicates that more practices intend to increase staff numbers than reduce them.

• Over the next three months, 11% of practices expect to employ more permanent staff, 9% expect to employ fewer, and 81% anticipate no change.

• Medium and large practices expect an increase in permanent staffing levels (Permanent Staffing Index +27), while small practices expect them to fall (-2).

• The regional staffing outlook is positive in the North of England (+10) and the Midlands and East Anglia (+3), in line with workload predictions, although London (+2) also remains positive. Wales and the West (-5), and the South of England (-3) both expect falling numbers of permanent staff.

• The Temporary Staffing Index fell by 2 points to -3, suggesting decreasing numbers of temporary staff.

• Levels of personal underemployment rose slightly from 25% in June to 26% in July.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:
“The profession’s outlook has markedly improved over the last twelve months, but many practices continue to face a challenging environment. While the profession remains positive about future work, there’s little anticipation of a rapid upswing.

July’s Future Trends is the first since the UK elected a new government; but the profession’s response has been muted in contrast to the large but transitory uptick seen following the previous administration’s 2019 Brexit-focused victory.

Commentary received in July suggests the market is showing early signs of recovery. However, project delays, which practices blame mostly on the planning system, are holding the recovery back by restricting pipelines of work and putting pressure on cash flow. Practices also report delays with the Building Safety Regulator for higher risk buildings.

While some practices continue to note a subdued architect’s market, others are seeing increased enquiries, post-election. Overall, there is a sense that the market is slowly improving but that it will take time before this translates into significantly increased workloads.

196 architectural design practices took part in the July 2024 survey.

15 August 2024

2024 RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship Winner

2024 RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship Winner

9 August 2024

RIBA Client of the Year 2024 shortlist revealed

RIBA Client of the Year 2024 Shortlist

25 July 2024

Architects expect higher workloads and staffing levels : RIBA Future Trends June 2024

Thursday 25th of July 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

The June 2024 findings show that, over the next three months, architects anticipate higher workloads, and, with the RIBA Staffing Index hitting a two-year high, practice staff recruitment is expected to increase. This suggests that practices are preparing for long-term growth.

Architects continue to expect increasing workloads

In June, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index fell slightly by 2 points to +4, indicating that architects expect workloads to increase overall.

Over the next three months, 23% of design studios expect workloads to increase, 19% expect them to decrease, and 58% expect them to stay the same.

The outlook for small practices (1-10 staff) rose by 1 point to a Workload Index figure of +4, after rising above zero for the first time in over a year last month. The outlook for medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remains optimistic at +11, but softened by 19 points compared to last month.

The regional picture also remains broadly positive, although the outlook for London (-3) and Wales and the West (0) fell by 5 and 2 points respectively. The outlook for the North of England (+15) and the South of England (+2) remained positive but fell by 8 and 6 points respectively, while the Midlands and East Anglia (+10) continued to grow in confidence, rising by 10 points.

The outlook among monitored work sectors has improved overall. The outlook for the Commercial sector (+5) strengthened by 1 point, with London and the North of England the most optimistic about commercial work. While still negative, the outlook for the Private Housing sector (-1) improved by 4 points, and the Public sector (-5) held steady. The outlook for the Community sector (-5) fell by 3 points.

Enthusiasm for recruitment suggests practices preparing for long-term growth

In June, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index rose by 6 points to +6, indicating that more practices intend to increase staff numbers than reduce them. This marked improvement is the highest figure in over 2 years, suggesting practices are preparing for long-term growth.

• Over the next three months, 13% of practices plan to take on more permanent staff, 7% expect to employ fewer, and 80% anticipate no change.

• On balance, all practice sizes expect an increase in permanent staffing levels, although this is more common among medium and large practices.

• The regional staffing outlook is positive, with London (Permanent Staffing Index: +5), Wales and the West (+11), the South of England (+7) and the North of England (+3) all optimistic, and only the Midlands and East Anglia (0) expecting no change.

• The Temporary Staffing Index fell by 3 points to -1, suggesting decreasing numbers of temporary staff – perhaps reflecting a move towards recruiting permanent staff.

• Levels of personal underemployment rose slightly from 23% in May to 25% in June.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:
“The profession’s outlook is positive for a third consecutive month – a welcome recovery after the the negative outlook that characterised the second half of 2023 through to the start of 2024. Nevertheless, the recovery in the architects’ market is tentative, and significant numbers of practices remain pessimistic.

We are yet to see the effect, if any, of Labour’s widely anticipated general election victory – stay tuned for next month’s report.

Commentary received in June indicates an improving market for some but a mixed picture overall. The general election, while bringing a sense of change, also brought a level of uncertainty.

While practices continue to report that the planning system is dampening workloads and hampering project delivery, a small number of practices report an improvement in planning application progression.

Some relay fewer enquiries and downward pressure on public sector work, while others describe a growing order book and steadying private housing workloads.

17 July 2024

King’s Speech 2024

RIBA responds to King’s Speech 2024

Wednesday 17thh of July 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament today.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“The Government has set out an ambitious parliamentary agenda – now, we need action.

Delivering high-quality, sustainable buildings and places will be at the heart of growing the economy. So, commitments to overhaul the planning system and strengthen the capacity of local planning authorities through the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill are welcome.

Plans for Great British Energy to cut bills and tackle the rising cost of living are also encouraging, but they must be accompanied by measures to reduce energy use in our homes, through a National Retrofit Strategy.

We look forward to working with the Government help deliver on these pledges – harnessing the knowledge, expertise, and experience of architects to create a better future for all.”

UK Construction News – comments on Labour’s plans to accelerate housebuilding

5 July 2024

RIBA responds to General Election result

‘This is a monumental moment’: RIBA responds to General Election result.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Friday 5 July 2024, responded to the result of yesterday’s UK General Election.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“This is a monumental moment for the UK – and an opportunity for Labour to prove it will deliver on the changes it has committed to.

Its manifesto doesn’t have all the answers, but it shows ambition – not least to tackle the housing crisis by boosting the delivery of high-quality homes and fixing our broken planning system.

The time for bold, decisive action to deliver a safer, greener and more equitable built environment is now.

We look forward to working together over the coming years – bringing architects’ expertise to the table to solve the complex challenges our country faces.”

2 July 2024

New RIBA President

Chris Williamson Elected RIBA President

Chris Williamson RIBA President

27 June 2024

Latest RIBA horizon scans consider how AI could impact architecture

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the final set of horizon scans in its recent series, examining trends in technological innovation that will shape society and the built environment over the next decade.

RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation includes four horizon scans that consider how technological innovation, including AI, will impact the built environment and the practice of architecture. They ask how architects can respond to this global shift and embrace a technologically enabled and empowered future.

Commissioned by RIBA to provide foresight for building design professionals, the scans are written by leading academics and experts.

The four horizon scans are:

• Innovation strategy: committing to innovation is the path forward
• Digitalisation in design: skill commoditisation, data battles and the re-invention of creativity
• Automation in construction: how industrialised construction can redefine the role of architects for the better
• Architecture in the age of AI: four signposts to watch

These horizon scans ask how architects can anticipate and take advantage of the opportunities posed by technological innovation, in areas such as design and business.

They consider the ethical implications of the digitisation of the building industry and ask how resources can be shared across the global profession.

They also examine what new demands the automation of construction might place on architects and ask important questions about professional agency in the era of AI.

RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation is part of the RIBA Horizons 2034 series interrogating the global megatrends predicted to shape society, the built environment, and the architectural profession by 2034. Previous scans focused on the environmental challenge, the economics of the built environment, and population change. A final report summarising the series will be published this summer.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Architects have successfully adapted to many waves of technological change, but the advent of artificial intelligence poses bigger questions for the profession than ever before.

Will AI change architecture as we know it? What are the creative, ethical and technical implications of AI and automation? And how can we harness new technology to ensure the built environment meets the needs of the future?

I encourage all building professionals to read these scans to prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Editor of RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation, Professor Phillip Bernstein, Associate Dean and Professor Adjunct at the Yale School of Architecture, said:
“Unlike earlier technology disruptors like computer-aided design (CAD) or even building information modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence has placed immediate demands on the architectural profession. It requires architects to understand and respond both within and without their practices. The Technological Innovation scans speculate on the future world of practice and set a vision for architecture’s response that must include proactive comprehension, strategic foresight, and a bias toward innovation.”

Read RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation.

RIBA Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation was edited by Professor Phillip Bernstein, Associate Dean and Professor Adjunct at the Yale School of Architecture. The contributors include:

• Innovation strategy: Jesse Devitte, co-founder and general partner at Building Ventures.

• Digitalisation in design: Martha Tsigkari, Senior Partner and Head of the Applied R+D (ARD) group at Foster + Partners, and Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.

• Automation in construction: Jim Lynch, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Autodesk Construction Solutions.

• Architecture in the age of AI: Mark Greaves, Executive Director, AI & Advanced Computing Institute at Schmidt Sciences.

RIBA Journal is publishing reflective pieces on what the RIBA Horizons 2034 programme means for the profession and how key findings can be acted on in practice.

26 June 2024

Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner appointed RIBA Chief Curator

Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner:

photo : Peter Kelleher © Victoria and Albert Museum

Wednesday 26 June 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today announced the appointment of Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner as Chief Curator, succeeding Charles Hind who will become Chief Curator Emeritus from January 2025, after 28 years at RIBA.

As Chief Curator, Olivia will be RIBA’s lead expert on architectural history, and lead our internationally regarded curatorial team in developing and maintaining our world class collection of more than 4.5 million drawings, photographs, rare books, models, and more.

Olivia has spent the last 10 years at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), most recently as Senior Curator of Architecture and Design, where she was responsible for the collection of design and architectural drawings. She has published, curated, and broadcast widely on the history of architecture and contemporary practice. Olivia also previously worked for English Heritage as an Architectural Investigator and the Survey of London as a Historian. Olivia studied History and History of Art at Cambridge and Yale and completed her PhD in Architectural History at UCL.

Reacting to the appointment, Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner, said:
“I am thrilled and honoured to be entrusted with the curatorial stewardship of the RIBA Collections. RIBA’s holdings of drawings, models, photographs, archives and rare books are of national and international significance; I am keen they should continue to grow and reflect the diversity of current practice.

I am looking forward to working with the rest of the RIBA Collections team to ensure that these material records of architectural creativity realise their full potential for education, inspiration and enjoyment for as wide an audience as possible.”

RIBA also takes this opportunity to express huge thanks to Charles Hind for his exceptional leadership and expertise that has grown and enriched the RIBA Collection over the past 28 years.

Dr Adrian Steel, Director, Library and Collections, said:
“We are delighted that Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner is joining RIBA as Chief Curator. Olivia brings exceptional experience in curatorship and the history of architecture and considerable external profile to the role. Dr Horsfall Turner is joining at a time of great ambition for RIBA’s collections as it seeks to transform access for scholars, the public, RIBA members and future architects to its collections.

Since January 1996, RIBA has been fortunate to have Charles Hind’s expertise and leadership as our Curator of Drawings and Chief Curator. In the time that he has been with us, Charles’s contribution to the field of architectural history has been immense and his work will benefit the study of architecture and architectural culture for generations to come.”

Oliver Urquhart Irvine, Executive Director, Architecture Programmes and Collections, said:
“Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner, who brings with her very significant public facing, curatorial and academic leadership in architectural collections and history, is taking on the mantle of RIBA Chief Curator at an exciting moment when the next chapter in the history of RIBA’s world-class collections is to be written.

As we welcome Olivia, we also say goodbye to Charles Hind after 28 years at RIBA. Under Charles’s remarkable stewardship, RIBA’s collections have grown considerably as has their scholarly use and public enjoyment. Significant acquisitions made by RIBA, thanks to Charles’s energy and enthusiasm, have significantly enriched the collections and will form the bedrock of research and exhibitions for many generations to come. The partnership with the V&A was an extraordinary achievement for transforming access to the collections and Charles is passing on the mantle of Chief Curator at an exciting moment in the next chapter of RIBA’s world-class collections. Charles leaves an inspirational legacy for us all and for his successor.”

Reflecting on his time at RIBA, Charles Hind, said:
“Succeeding John Harris and Jill Lever as Curator and being part of the team that acquires, maintains and promotes the world’s most important collections relating to architecture has been a wonderful experience. So much has changed since I arrived in 1996 and I am particularly proud of my role in developing the V&A and RIBA Architecture Partnership and its Architecture Gallery, enormously expanding the type and size of archives we acquire, particularly those of Leslie Martin, Denys Lasdun, Sandy Wilson and M.J. Long and starting a new project to publish the RIBA’s Palladio Drawings Catalogue. Change though is continuous and there are certainly momentous changes ahead as we prepare the collections to move and it is time to pass on the baton, although even in retirement, I look forward to contributing.”

Olivia will join RIBA in September 2024.

About Dr Olivia Horsfall Turner

Olivia has spent the last 10 years at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), most recently as Senior Curator of Architecture and Design, where she was responsible for the collection of design and architectural drawings. She has published, curated, and broadcast widely on the history of architecture and contemporary practice. Previously, Olivia worked for English Heritage as an Architectural Investigator and the Survey of London as a Historian. Olivia studied History and History of Art at Cambridge and Yale and completed her PhD in Architectural History at UCL.

14 June 2024

RIBA responds to Labour manifesto

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Labour Party 2024 general election manifesto, published on Thursday 13 June 2024.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:

“Labour’s ambitions to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes are encouraging – as are pledges to fund additional planning officers – to bolster the broken system that presents a barrier to delivery.

Further mechanisms to boost our housing supply must also be welcomed, not least proposed updates to the National Planning Policy Framework, a brownfield-first approach, and the release of low-quality ‘grey belt’ land for development.

The manifesto offers overarching solutions, but lacks critical detail on delivering social housing and futureproofing existing homes. How will the Party deliver the next generation of council houses? Where’s the comprehensive National Retrofit Strategy to cut people’s bills and reach net zero?”

13 June 2024

RIBA responds to Green Party manifesto

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Green Party 2024 general election manifesto, published on Wednesday 12 June 2024.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Commitments to provide 150,000 new social homes, invest in upgrading leaky and draughty housing and develop green skills are most welcome.

It’s also good to see extra funding pledged for local authorities, which could be extremely effective to deliver high-quality, sustainable communities if planning departments get a piece of the pie.

Proposals to calculate whole-life carbon echo our own calls, but they must be embedded in building regulations.

This manifesto sets out some positive proposals, but they need fine-tuning to properly address problems faced by the built environment.”

11 June 2024

RIBA responds to Conservative manifesto

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Tuesday 11 June 2024, responded to the Conservative and Unionist Party 2024 general election manifesto, published earlier today.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“This manifesto contains some welcome commitments such as prioritising brownfield development, supporting community housing schemes, and delivering homes for older people, but it lacks a clear strategy to upgrade our shamefully energy inefficient housing stock.

While appreciating the need for a more efficient planning system, it fails to mention the lack of adequate expert resource – critical to delivering high-quality, sustainable homes in places people want to live.

These are steps in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address our housing and climate crises.”

10 June 2024

RIBA responds to Liberal Democrats manifesto

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Monday 10 June 2024, responded to the Liberal Democrats 2024 general election manifesto, ‘For a Fair Deal’.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“From delivering 150,000 social homes to mandating a zero-carbon standard for new builds, to introducing a Home Energy Upgrade retrofitting programme to adequately resourcing planning departments, there is much to welcome in this manifesto.

As a country, we’re crying out for high-quality social housing and for a plan to upgrade our leaky housing stock.

While welcoming these proposals, I urge the party to consider mandating both operational and embodied energy as part of their new zero-carbon standard, and to consider using stamp duty as a retrofit tax incentive – something we’ve long been calling for.

These are ambitious, encouraging pledges, but they won’t succeed without the expertise of architects and collaboration across our sector.”

6 June 2024

New RIBA horizon scans predict global impact of population change – and call for architects to respond

Thursday 6th of June 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its latest set of horizon scans, spotlighting trends in global population change that will shape society and the built environment over the next ten years.

Shifting patterns in births, deaths and migration are reshaping communities. The world faces ageing populations, swelling cities, and more people on the move than ever before.

RIBA Horizons 2034: Population Change includes four horizon scans that consider how architects will need to adapt to respond to the changes. Written by leading academics and experts, they are commissioned by RIBA to provide foresight for building design professionals.

The four horizon scans are:

• Urbanisation: the coming decade will be make or break for cities and the planet
• Demographics: slowing population growth, changing families and an ageing population
• International migration and displacement: the impact on the urban landscape
• Designing for an increasingly diverse population: the implications of the ethnic diversification and age polarisation of Britain’s neighbourhoods

They discuss how households and neighbourhoods will change, with a need for housing to respond to the reality of smaller families and older, more diverse communities, especially in the UK.

They also highlight the impact of unpredictable migration trends, driven by economic factors, but also by conflict and climate change.

To tackle the challenge, they say architects must design inclusive, adaptable and resilient buildings. They call for leadership, innovation, collaboration, as well as knowledge sharing between professional institutes, governments and development partners.

RIBA Horizons 2034: Population Change is part of the RIBA Horizons 2034 series interrogating the global megatrends predicted to shape society, the built environment, and the architectural profession by 2034. Previous scans focused on the environmental challenge and the economics of the built environment, and the final scans, exploring technological innovation, will be published next month.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“As architects, we’re in a distinctive position of influence and responsibility – uniquely positioned to create and organise places for communities that are changing at a rapid pace.

As populations age and diversify, these horizon scans call on us all to design truly adaptable and resilient buildings and places that foster a sense of belonging.

They investigate the nuances of migration and displacement, and promote constructive dialogue.

I encourage every architect to review the material to help understand the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Contributor to RIBA Horizons 2034: Population Change, Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) President Peter Oborn, said:
“These horizon scans remind architects not only of the global challenges posed by issues such as climate change and rapid urbanisation, but also of the imperative for each of us to use our skills to promote advocacy, help build capacity and engage in climate action wherever we may be.”

Read RIBA Horizons 2034: Population Change.

Explore RIBA Horizons 2034.

RIBA Horizons 2034: Population Change was edited by Jane Falkingham, Professor of Demography and International Social Policy and Vice President (International and Global Engagement) at the University of Southampton, and Director of the ESRC Centre for Population Change. The contributors include:
Urbanisation: Peter Oborn, President of the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), Design Council Ambassador, and Chartered Architect and Strategic Client Advisor at Peter Oborn Associates.

Demographics: Maria Evandrou, Professor of Gerontology, Director of the Centre for Research on Ageing at the University of Southampton and Co-Director of the ESRC Centre for Population Change.

International migration and displacement: Guy Abel, Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Hong Kong, statistical demographer.
Designing for an increasingly diverse population: Nissa Finney, Professor of Human Geography at the University of St Andrews and member of the ESRC Centre for Population Change.

RIBA Academy is hosting a series of webinars to explore the RIBA Horizons 2034 themes in greater detail.

Previously on e-architect:

23 May 2024

‘The time to act is now’: RIBA responds to general election announcement

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Thursday 23 May 2024, responded to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement that a General Election will be held on 4 July 2024.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“This is a pivotal moment for our country as we move into a General Election.

As our manifesto makes clear, we urgently need decisive action to deliver a built environment that meets people’s needs, both now and in the future.
Policies that usher in the next generation of social housing and establish a National Retrofit Strategy must be at the heart of this election campaign and delivered by the next Government. The clock is ticking – the time to act is now.

All political parties must set out bold and comprehensive plans to deliver a sustainable built environment, using architects’ expertise, that strengthen communities and enrich people’s lives.”

23 May 2024

Architects expect growing workloads as confidence returns: RIBA Future Trends April 2024

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

The April 2024 findings show confidence returning to the profession. Over the next three months, architects expect workloads to increase – ending a ten-month spell of pessimism – and also anticipate stable staffing levels.

Architects expect increasing workloads after longest spell of pessimism

In April, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose by 2 points to +2, indicating that architects expect workloads to increase overall. This is the first time the Workload Index has been positive since June 2023, marking a return to optimism since last month’s Workload Index figure of 0 ended the longest run of pessimism since the survey began in 2009.

Over the next three months, 19% of architecture practices expect workloads to increase, 17% expect them to decrease, and 63% expect them to stay the same.
The outlook of small practices (1-10 staff) remains negative but better, rising by 1 point to -1, while the outlook of medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remains optimistic, improving by 5 points, reaching a combined Workload Index figure of +19.

Three out of four monitored work sectors also have an improved outlook. The outlook for the Private Housing sector (-3) improved by 5 points, while the Commercial (0) and Community (-12) sectors both rose by 3 points. The outlook for the Public sector (-9) held steady.

Regionally, the picture remains mixed. The workload outlook of practices in the South of England stands out at +24, a 36-point improvement and the first positive figure for the region since March 2023. The outlook in the North of England remains positive at +11. However, London’s confidence dipped by 3 points to -2, Wales and the West fell by 3 points to -5, and the Midlands & East Anglia dropped 12 points to -15.

Architects anticipate steady permanent staffing levels and more temporary staff.

In April, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index fell by 2 points to 0, indicating that the same number of practices intend to increase staff numbers as reduce them.

• Over the next three months, 11% of architecture practices expect to employ more staff, 10% expect to employ fewer, and 79% anticipate making no changes.

• Small practices expect falling staffing levels, returning a Permanent Staffing Index figure of -1, a 3-point fall compared to March.

• Medium and large practices remain upbeat about staffing levels, returning a combined Permanent Staffing Index figure of +9, a 3-point increase from last month.

• The regional staffing outlook remains mixed. The North of England and the Midlands & East Anglia expect falling permanent staffing levels, with London holding steady and Wales & the West and the South of England expecting to increase numbers of permanent staff.

• The Temporary Staffing Index rose by 4 points to +1, positive for the first time since July 2022. This suggests increasing numbers of temporary staff over the next three months.

• Levels of personal underemployment increased from 20% in March to 25% in April.

Practices report that cash-flow problems, planning delays, raised interest rates, and increased project costs continue to hold back project progress, new enquiries, and new commissions.

Planning delays are reportedly tying developer capital to land allocated to stalled projects, preventing the acquisition of further sites, and so squeezing the pipeline of design work.

Practices also report under-resourced local authorities and unreliable pipelines of public sector work dampening the architects’ market.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:
“After ten months of pessimism, the latest Future Trends data paints a positive picture of growing workloads. April’s findings are the most encouraging for some time, and part of a longer-term trend of an improving outlook, despite month-on-month fluctuations.

Caution is still needed, as workloads are lower than a year ago, with a mixed regional picture and high personal underemployment. However, the vital housing and commercial sectors show early signs of a tentative recovery.

Some practices also note a strengthening market overall, an uptick in the public housing sector, and the significance of overseas work.”

21 May 2024

RIBA President-Elect, RSAW President-Elect and Council candidates announced

Funmbi Olumoroti Adeagbo:

Duncan Baker-Brown:

Chris Williamson:

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (21 May 2024) announced three candidates standing for election as RIBA President-Elect, alongside nominations for RSAW President-Elect and seats on the RIBA Council.

The RIBA President, RSAW President and RIBA Council Members are elected representatives from RIBA’s membership.

RIBA Council, chaired by the President, acts as the representative body, and is responsible for collecting insight from the membership and the profession to inform the Board’s decisions relating to the strategic direction of the organisation. RIBA Council is responsible for appointing the Trustees to the Board of the RIBA Charity.

RIBA President-Elect 2024 candidates:

The candidates standing for RIBA President-Elect are:

• Funmbi Olumoroti Adeagbo
Name and Address of Practice: Morris and Company

215 Mare street, London, E8 3QE
Position/title: Project Architect
Qualifications: ARB, RIBA, Spatial planning and Urban (Masters in Art), MSc
Architecture, Diploma in Architecture, Professional Diploma

• Duncan Baker-Brown
Name and Address of Practice: BakerBrown Studio Limited

Cooksbridge Station House, Cooksbridge, East Sussex, BN8 4SW
Position/title: Founder, Director
Qualifications: BSc. Arch, DipArch (Brighton), ARB, RIBA

• Chris Williamson
Name and Address of Practice: Weston Williamson + Partners

12 Valentine Place, London SE1 8QU
Position/title: Chair
Qualifications: BA Hons, Dip Arch, MSc Project. Man. MA Urban Design

The candidates standing for RSAW President-Elect are:

• David Darkin
• Alan Francis

Candidates’ election statements can be found here.

Voting for all seats opens online at 09:00 Monday 17 June and closes at 16:00 on Friday 28 June. Results will be announced at on Tuesday 2 July.

From Thursday 30 May, hustings and debates will be held to allow members to hear from the people running to become RIBA President 2025-2027.

Successful RIBA Council candidates will commence their three-year term on 1 September 2025.

The RIBA President-Elect’s term begins on 1 September 2024, with their two-year term as RIBA President commencing on 1 September 2025.

30 April 2024

Government response to MP inquiry ‘lacks a clear plan’ to tackle overheating

Today, Tuesday 30 April 2024, the Government has responded to the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC)’s report on ‘Heat resilience and sustainable cooling’, which raised concerns over the UK’s lack of preparedness after the world’s hottest year on record.

In its response, the Government addresses recommendations made in the EAC report, including calls based on written and oral evidence given by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Our buildings are not ready for extreme heat. The Government’s response to expert recommendations demonstrates they lack a clear plan to tackle the threat of rising temperatures.

If we are to set the country on a sensible path to deliver more resilient buildings and communities, we must urgently bring forward a National Retrofit Strategy to futureproof millions of homes.

Disappointingly, even simple and cost-effective solutions put forward by MPs, like reversing the decline of urban green space, have been ignored.
But it’s not too late to heed these warnings. Whoever forms the next government must step up, work with the sector and embed resilience in our building stock.”

25 April 2024

Economics of the built environment 2024-2034 – RIBA’s latest horizon scans indicate most pressing factors for change

Thursday 25 April 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its latest set of horizon scans, which highlight the global economic systems and forces that will shape the built environment over the next decade.

Commissioned by RIBA and written by leading academics, The Economics of the Built Environment scans provide foresight on the topics expected to drive the greatest change by 2034. The four scans are:

• Interconnectedness and specialisation: the economic geography of the built environment
• Emerging economies: how architects can contribute to sustainable urban futures in fast-changing contexts
• Inequality: planning and design for a more equitable world
• Financialisation: buildings and architecture at the centre of global financial systems

These scans reframe the built environment as an expression of the economic forces that shape it.

They investigate the factors set to impact the sector financially: from rapid urbanisation, to increased use of digital twinning augmenting the financialisation of the built environment.

Overall, the scans invite a deeper consideration of the economic system and the architect’s part in in. They ask what effect the way money is spent has not only on the quality of the built environment, but also on our ability to develop a more equitable society and tackle the climate crisis. They call for an intersectoral response by architects and planners, working closely with economists, financiers, clients, and others, to come up with solutions that unlock global potential.

The Economics of the Built Environment horizon scans are part of the RIBA Horizons 2034 series interrogating the global megatrends predicted to shape society, the built environment, and the architectural profession over the next ten years. Scans relating to population change and technological innovation will follow over the coming months.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“RIBA keeps a close eye on the UK and global economy, forecasting business and employment trends month-to-month in our Future Trends reports and deep-diving into the wider economic context in architectural market economics reports. With expert insight on how the economic environment will change over the next decade, the Economics of the Built Environment scans position architects as having a great opportunity to positively shape the urban transformation ahead of us.

They highlight the need for an intersectoral response by architects and planners, working closely with economists, financiers and clients. Collaboration will be key to find solutions that unlock global potential.

These are timely, fascinating research essays – a critical resource that every architect should read to help steer their thinking as they plan for the future of their business and career.”

Editor of RIBA Horizons 2034: The Economics of the Built Environment, independent urban economist Astrid R.N. Haas, said:
“Across the world, the urban environment is failing many of its inhabitants. To rectify this, innovation is urgently needed to match the dynamism and pace of change in cities over the coming decades.”

Read RIBA Horizons 2034: The Economics of the Built Environment.

18 April 2024

Architects anticipate growing workforces and steady workloads: RIBA Future Trends March 2024

Thursday 18th of April 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

The March 2024 findings show signs of an improving outlook among the profession. Over the next three months, architects expect workloads to hold steady, and staffing levels to increase.

Architects expect stable workloads, ending record run of pessimism

In March, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose by 3 points to 0, indicating an overall expectation that workloads will hold steady. This is the first time the Workload Index has dipped into positive territory since July 2023, ending the longest run of pessimism about future workloads since the survey began in 2009.

Over the next three months, 24% of practices expected workloads to increase, 24% expected them to decrease, and 52% expected them to stay the same.

The outlook of small practices (1-10 staff) remained negative but improved, rising by 3 points to -2, while the outlook of medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remained optimistic, and improved by 2 points, reaching a combined Workload Index figure of +14.

While the overall workload outlook improved, three out of four monitored work sectors had a less optimistic outlook than last month, with only the Commercial (-3) sector holding steady. Having rallied in recent months, the outlook for the Private Housing sector fell by 3 points to -8. The outlook for the Public (-9) and Community (-15) sectors fell by 3 and 6 points respectively.

The regional picture was mixed. The outlook of practices in the North of England remained positive and rose by 1 point to +14 and, after a dip in confidence last month, London’s outlook rallied by 13 points to +1. While still negative, the outlook for Wales & the West also rose by 14 points to -2. In contrast, the outlook for practices in the Midlands & East Anglia fell by 1 point to -3, and that for practices in the South of England fell by 12 points to -12.
Increase in staffing levels expected for first time in six months.

In March, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index rose by 2 points to +2, indicating that more practices intended to increase staff numbers than reduce them. This is the first time the Staffing Index has risen above 0 since September last year.

• Over the next three months, 10% of architects practices expected to onboard more employees, 8% expected to employ fewer, and 83% anticipated making no changes.

• Small practices became positive about staffing levels, returning a Permanent Staffing Index figure of +2, a 5-point improvement from last month.

• Medium and large practices expected staffing levels to increase, albeit less confidently than last month, returning a combined Permanent Staffing Index figure of +6, a 15-point reduction.

• Most regions expected permanent staffing levels to increase, with only London and the Midlands & East Anglia expecting them to hold steady.

• The Temporary Staffing Index remained negative but improved by 3 points to -3. This suggests falling numbers of temporary staff over the next three months.

• Levels of personal underemployment decreased from 23% in February to 21% in March.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:
“The latest Future Trends data puts an end to the longest run of pessimism about workloads since the survey began. It’s welcome news, but it indicates a stabilisation of outlook rather than a resurgence of confidence.

Despite early signs of economic improvements as inflationary pressures ease, and economic growth returns, architects continue to report a mixed view of the market.

Some practices tell us that raised interest rates and increased costs are deterring clients of all sizes from commissioning projects. Others cite the planning process severely impeding project progress, regulatory changes creating uncertainty, and competition from within and outside the profession squeezing incomes. Practices also say projects are increasingly being phased to match more cautious, phased financing, which can make cash flow less predictable, and delay project payments.

Yet practices also report increased enquiries and commissions, the potential for gaining overseas work, increasing opportunities to improve the carbon performance of existing buildings, and the ability to maintain fee levels. There’s reason to be hopeful.”

4 April 2024

RIBA responds to updated second staircase guidance

Thursday 4th of April 2024 – the UK Government has updated its guidance on second staircases in new tall residential buildings in England.

Lee Rowley, Minister for Housing, said that the change in policy to set an 18-metre height threshold for second staircases in all new residential buildings ‘reflects views of experts including the National Fire Chiefs Council and Royal Institute of British Architects’.

RIBA Chair of Board Jack Pringle said:
“Almost seven years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Government’s official guidance for second staircases in new residential buildings over 18 metres is welcome.

This marks a crucial step towards a safer built environment for all. It falls short of requiring a second fire-fighting shaft, which our consultation response called for, or evacuation lifts, both of which are vital for emergency evacuation and fire-fighting operations.

We continue to work with the Government and the wider construction industry to demand changes to deliver safer homes. Safety must be our number one priority.”

28 March 2024

RIBA Future Trends February 2024

Tentative improvements in architects’ outlook despite chronic planning delays: RIBA Future Trends February 2024

Thursday 28th of March 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings of its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

Findings show that architects expect workloads to fall over the next three months, but they expect staffing levels to hold steady, rather than fall, for the first time in six months.

A one-off question in February’s survey found that a majority of those working on higher-risk buildings reported project delays caused by the planning application statutory consultation process.

Tentative signs of recovery in architects’ workloads

In February, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose by 5 points to -3, indicating a slightly improved outlook.

Over the next three months, 23% of design practices expected workloads to increase, 26% expected them to reduce, and 51% expected them to stay the same.

The outlook of small practices (1-10 staff) remained negative but improved, rising by 5 points to -5, while the outlook of medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remained optimistic, and improved by 9 points to a combined figure of +12.

While all monitored work sectors retained a negative outlook, three out of four improved. The outlook for the Private Housing sector rallied by 7 points to -5, the Commercial (-3) and Public (-6) sectors improved by 2 and 3 points respectively, and the Community sector, which has had a negative outlook for two years, fell by 1 point to -9.

All regions except London had an improved or steady outlook on workloads. The outlook for the North of England remained positive and rose by 11 points to +13. The South of England rallied by 21 points to 0, and the Midlands & East Anglia recovered by 18 points to -2. London’s outlook deteriorated by 13 points to -12, while Wales & the West held steady at -16.

Staffing levels expected to hold steady rather than fall for first time in six months, with larger practices particularly confident

In February, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index rose by 2 points to 0, indicating that the same number of practices expected to employ more staff as expected to employ fewer. This is the first time the RIBA Staffing Index has left negative territory since September last year.

• Over the next three months, 8% of architect practices expected to bring in more permanent employees, 8% expected to employ fewer, and 83% expected no change.

• Small practices continued to expect staffing levels to decline, returning a Permanent Staffing Index figure of -3, a 1-point improvement from last month.

• Medium and large practices had even stronger conviction that their staffing levels would increase, returning a combined Permanent Staffing Index figure of +21, a 13-point increase from last month.

• The regional outlook on permanent staffing remained varied. Despite expecting falling workloads, London’s staffing outlook has turned positive, with a Staffing Index figure of +2.

• The Temporary Staffing Index held steady once again at -6, suggesting falling numbers of temporary staff over the next three months.

• Levels of personal underemployment decreased from 29% in January to 23% in February.

Majority of higher-risk building architects report delays from planning application consultation process.

February’s RIBA Future Trends survey included a one-off question about the potential project delaying effects of the statutory consultation process with the Building Safety Regulator during planning applications for higher-risk buildings.

16% of respondents said they had worked on higher-risk buildings in the last three months.

Of those, 62% reported delay (54%) or abandonment (8%) of these projects caused by the statutory consultation process.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:
“While practices still expect falling workloads overall, it appears we can be moderately optimistic.

Crucially, the outlook for work in the housing sector is significantly less gloomy.

Many practices continue to describe a challenging environment in the context of a weak economy, raised interest rates, and ongoing, highly damaging planning delays. Some even suggest that the uncertainty around the general election is deterring investment, particularly from local authorities. However, others report an overall improving market.”

22 March 2024

RIBA reveals plans for ‘once in a generation’ House of Architecture investment

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today revealed further details of its flagship House of Architecture programme.

The £85 million proposal will transform RIBA’s member offer and widen access to architecture, focusing on three key areas:

– Bringing together RIBA’s architectural collections – among the largest and most significant in the world – so they can be better cared for, and accessed and appreciated more widely than ever before

– Extensive upgrades to RIBA’s digital technology – creating a vastly improved online experience.

– Sensitive, essential refurbishment and restoration of RIBA’s 66 Portland Place headquarters to make it more accessible, useful, sustainable and welcoming.

RIBA House of Architecture News

21 March 2024

RIBA Horizons 2034 Programme News

Architecture must change beyond recognition to meet the climate challenge, says new RIBA Horizons 2034 programme

Thursday 21st of March 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has launched a new horizon-scanning programme with a set of scans that identify the most pertinent environmental issues facing the built environment over the next ten years.

Developed by leading academics, The Environmental Challenge themed horizon scans provide foresight into the most significant actions architects can take to help mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, adapt buildings to withstand weather extremes, promote biodiversity and scale up engagement and activism. Key themes across the scans include:

• The importance of understanding the diversity of different global regions, including in culture, population, existing building stock, climate and materials, to ensure solutions that contribute to a sustainable future for all
• The need for significant financial support for poorer global regions to ensure sustainable and low carbon urban development for rapidly urbanising and growing populations
• Within Europe and older building stocks, the importance of retrofit, and the need to prioritise that over demolition and newbuild
• The increasing importance of designing with inherently low carbon and biobased materials, and of assessing the whole life carbon implications of all design decisions
• The critical role of nature-based solutions in working with and for nature, and of a nature-first approach to design that promotes biodiversity
• The need for inclusion of the whole community in the design process, to ensure socially appropriate development and to avoid green gentrification
• The understanding of the role that building design can play in influencing climate adaptive behaviours
• The need to embrace new attitudes and mindsets, and to work as activists and collaborators to find solutions that work for people and planet

The Environmental Challenge themed horizon scans are the first in a series on the four global megatrends that will shape society, the built environment, and the architectural profession over the next ten years. Scans relating to economics, population change, and technological innovation will follow over the coming months.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:

“As an architect, I know how busy we all are day to day. It can be difficult to get into the headspace to look to the future. But we need to pay attention to what’s coming. The environment, the economy, the global population and technology are all changing.

While none of the individual issues or actions in these horizon scans come as a surprise, together they indicate the true scale and speed of climate change – and just how much we need to do within the next ten years to mitigate and adapt to its devastating effects.

We must challenge the status quo and keep engaging and debating. We must think global, act local – recognising the impact of individual actions. We must all become agents of change.

I urge the profession to see The Environmental Challenge themed scans as a foundation for action.”

Editor of RIBA Horizons 2034: The Environmental Challenge, Professor Alice Moncaster, who is Professor of Sustainable Construction at the University of West of England and Visiting Academic Fellow at the University of Cambridge, said:

“The next ten years will be key in our fight against climate change and its worst impacts. We need to radically reduce the impact of our built environment, while ensuring that it is resilient to changing climates and fit for future generations.

The experts who have written these horizon scans are not talking about simple add-ons to business as usual, but about fundamental paradigm shifts.

This needs to change every aspect of what we do as architects and building professionals.”

Read an introduction to the RIBA Horizons 2034 programme.

4 March 2024

Built Environment Institutes’ Joint Pledge

Major built environment institutes renew joint pledge to tackle global instability as cities boom

Monday 4 February 2024 – With almost 70% of the world’s population predicted to live in cities by 2050, major built environment professional institutes, including architects, planners, structural engineers and landscape practitioners, have renewed their joint pledge to collaborate to tackle urgent global challenges.

Members of the UK Built Environment Advisory Group (UKBEAG), a group first launched in 2016 comprising the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Landscape Institute (LI), have committed to work together for at least another 5 years.

In a Memorandum of Understanding, the group, having established an international reputation as leading authorities in the built environment, agreed to continue to make their joint expertise accessible to the governments, humanitarian agencies and development partners at the sharp end of delivering sustainable urbanisation.

Many of the countries that are urbanising most rapidly lack the critical built environment capacity and expertise to ensure that this huge growth is sustainable. In Uganda in 2018, a survey recorded that there were just five architects and 50 engineers per every one million people living in the country (compared to more than 600 of each for every one million in the UK) while urbanising at a rate of 6% per year – more than six times the rate of the UK.

The UKBEAG members aim to address this imbalance through advocacy and capacity development, enabling the sharing of global expertise to support those grappling with rapid urbanisation, the climate emergency, displacement after crises and post conflict recovery.

The group has already been working to mitigate global instability caused by these compounding factors. As Strategic Development Partner for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) Global Future Cities Programme, the UKBEAG worked in close partnership with UN-Habitat to support 30 transport, urban planning and resilience projects in 19 cities in low- to middle-income countries in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. Through a programme of strategic capacity development, their work increased the impact and long-term sustainability of these projects and created mutually beneficial relationships.

RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE said:
“The built environment is a huge carbon emitter, so if we are to protect the long-term future of our planet, urbanisation must be sustainable. Architects and other built environment professionals must work together to play an essential role in achieving this. As we face a global environmental crisis, RIBA must do what it can to support sustainable urbanisation by sharing knowledge, technical expertise and influence wherever it is needed, just as we too learn from others across the world.

This renewed pledge demonstrates great ambition, and I look forward to working with our partner institutes to lead by example, combining our strengths to make a real difference.”

RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills said:
“Collaboration and partnerships are essential if we’re going to build meaningful sustainable and inclusive solutions that work for everyone. Together, planners and other built environment professionals wield significant influence in tackling climate change, biodiversity decline, social and economic inequalities, and at the same time, creating sustainable and beautiful places around the world.

By bringing with us our members’ expertise, we hope that this strengthened alliance with our UKBEAG partners will have a significant impact on the transition to a zero-carbon society, engaging communities and enabling environmentally friendly choices.”

IStructE Head of Climate Action Will Arnold said:
“With most of the world still requiring more housing, buildings and infrastructure, the opportunities to head towards a regenerative built environment is huge. But to do so requires huge collaboration, systems thinking, and the ambition to create urban centres that are wholly positive for all living things. The renewed UKBEAG partnership will enable critical links to be formed between UK engineers, architects, planners with built environment professionals across the world, for mutual benefit of all parties.”

Landscape Institute CEO Robert Hughes said:
“Collaboration is fundamental to our global response to emergencies in climate, biodiversity, and health. Sustainable urban development is at the nexus of these combined challenges, requiring a diverse range of skills and expertise to deliver, in changing social and environmental contexts. Landscape professionals provide integrated, nature-based solutions to planning and development, and we are delighted to continue working with colleagues in UKBEAG, and around the world, to help realise a greener, healthier global built environment.”

29 February 2024

‘No turning back’: 41% of architects now using AI : New research by the RIBA

Thursday 29th of February 2024 – New research by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) reveals that 41% of UK architects are already using artificial intelligence (AI) on at least the occasional project, and of those, 43% think it has made the design process more efficient.

Published today, Thursday 29 February 2024, the RIBA AI report includes the findings of a survey asking architects how they are using and plan to use AI.

In the next 2 years, 54% of architects expect their practice to use AI, and 57% think it will improve efficiency in the design process. However, this ambition this doesn’t yet seem to be matched by investment, as 69% say their practice has not invested in AI research and development, and only 41% expect their practice to invest.

With 70% of the world’s population set to live in cities by 2050, AI has huge potential when it comes to sustainable urbanisation. 57% of architects expect to use AI to carry out environmental sustainability analysis in the next 2 years. And 49% think better digital tools, including AI, are necessary to meet the increasingly complexity of buildings – which includes climate adaptations and smart building technology.

However, there are challenges ahead. 58% of architects think AI increases the risk of their work being imitated. Some worry about it taking their jobs, but opinion is mixed – 36% of architects view AI as a threat to the profession, 34% don’t see it that way and 30% are neutral.

Architects who responded to the survey said:
“AI will become an inevitable part of our increasing need to become more efficient, whilst also simultaneously helping us to deal with ever greater complexities of design and construction.”

“We use AI to provide code for the automation of various aspects of project and document management, but still to a very limited degree.”

“We use virtual environments and digital twins to achieve a radical reduction in the carbon, energy, water, and waste footprints of costly physical construction.”

“AI can offer the opportunity for architects to work with more efficiency and remove some of the more tedious work. If harnessed it can result in better work culture, fees and salaries.”

“Harness it, learn it, shape it and use it. It’s coming and be on the wave rather than behind it. It’s just another tool to use to generate better architecture. It doesn’t take away the vision of the designer but assists it.”

“AI cannot produce that blue sky moment the architect can.”

“Current GenAI models have been trained on unlicensed copyrighted data. People who use them might be liable for copyright infringement.”

“I generally don’t think AI can replace our professional integrity nor creativity, but I believe AI can help us to advance our design much ‘quicker’ rather than ‘better’. I believe we are still the driver and what comes out of AI can only be as good as what has been put in it.”

“There are no real regulations in place and the ethical risks are very significant, from intellectual property, design creativity, employment and potential risks on the built environment too (if things go wrong).”

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“AI is the most disruptive tool of our time, and we cannot overstate its role in shaping the future of architecture – from the character of our cities to the quality of our built environment.

Our findings show architects are curious and open-minded about AI, and some of us are true pioneers.

By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and a culture of responsible innovation, we can harness the power of AI to create a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable built environment. There’s no turning back.

RIBA’s new Expert Advisory Group on AI is building on the findings of this report to look at the broader ethical, professional, and competitive implications of the widespread integration of AI.”

Download the RIBA AI report.

22 February 2024

Planning delays blight architects’ fortunes : RIBA Future Trends January 2024

Thursday 22nd of February 2024 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings from its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

January’s findings show that over the next three months architects continue to expect workloads and staffing levels to fall overall, reporting ongoing challenges including planning system delays.

Falling workloads expected, while optimism gap between small and large practices narrows

In January, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose by 1 point to -8. This marked the seventh consecutive month of negative figures, the longest run since RIBA Future Trends began in 2009.

Over the next three months, 18% of architectural practices expect workloads to increase, 26% expect them to decrease, and 52% expect them to stay the same.
The outlook of small practices (1-10 staff) improved slightly, rising by 5 points to -10, while the outlook of medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices fell by 27 points to a combined figure of +3.

All monitored work sectors retained a negative outlook on future work, although none worsened. The outlook for the Private Housing sector improved by 4 points to -12, the Commercial (-5) and Public (-9) sectors held steady, and the Community sector rose by 1 point to -8.

Regionally, the picture remained mixed. London’s outlook dipped into positive territory (+1) after three months of pessimism; the North of England (+2) remained positive; Wales & the West (-16) and the Midlands & East Anglia (-20) remained negative; while the South of England’s outlook (-21) deteriorated by 7 points.

Staffing levels expected to fall amid rising personal underemployment

In January, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index held steady at -2, indicating that practices expect their permanent staff numbers to decrease.

• Over the next three months, 8% of architectural practices expect to employ more people, 10% expect to employ fewer, and 83% expect no change.

• Small practices continued to expect staffing levels to decline, with a Permanent Staffing Index figure of -4, a 1-point improvement from last month.

• Medium and large practices still expected staffing levels to increase, with a combined Permanent Staffing Index figure of +8, although this is an 11-point fall from last month.

• The regional outlook on permanent staffing remained varied. Wales & the West, with a Staffing Index figure of +10, is the only region where practices expected an increase in permanent staffing levels.

• The Temporary Staffing Index held steady at -6, suggesting falling numbers of temporary staff over the next three months.

• Levels of personal underemployment increased from 26% in December to 29% in January.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:
“Amid raised interest rates and a weak UK economy, for the seventh consecutive month, architects expect workloads to fall – the longest period of pessimism since the survey began in 2009.

Persistently above-target inflation, and difficulties for clients obtaining finance, continue to weigh on workloads, while the poor performance of the housing sector continues to impact smaller practices.

These issues are exacerbated by ongoing planning delays. Many practices stress failures in the planning system, which are delaying project progress, diminishing practice revenue, and holding back the UK’s economic prosperity. Practices also report downward pressure on fees, with a number reporting domestic clients seeking free early-stage design and planning advice.

As the profession grapples with these challenges, RIBA is here to provide practical tools and resources to help practices succeed – from navigating professional indemnity insurance, to calculating fees, to writing contracts.

If the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation remains on a downward trend, we can hope to see the construction output price inflation to fall. While the outlook for 2024 remains uncertain, the hope of falling interest rates and an economy emerging from recession provide some grounds for optimism.

14 February 2024

RIBA South Awards 2024 Shortlist

RIBA South Awards 2024

13 February 2024

RIBA East Midlands Awards 2024 Shortlist

RIBA East Midlands Awards 2024 shortlist

8 February 2024

RIBA responds to Labour U-turn on green pledge

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the UK Labour Party’s announcement on Thursday 8 February 2024, that it will no longer spend £28bn a year on environmental projects if it wins the upcoming general election.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“With the climate emergency intensifying, 19 million UK homes are still in dire need of upgrading. Ambitious and sustained investment from whomever forms the next Government, and the private sector, will be critical to address the scale of this challenge.

And there’s a solution. We must futureproof homes with a well-funded National Retrofit Strategy – a long-term plan that will also create jobs, boost green skills and level up the country.

Act now, or future generations will pay the price. As ever, we stand ready to contribute to creating a more sustainable and resilient built environment – to making the future a better place.”

8 February 2024

RIBA publishes ‘no-nonsense’ Guide to Professional Indemnity Insurance

As part of its work to support practices in running their businesses, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Thursday 8th of February 2024, published its Guide to Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) 2024, exclusively available to RIBA members. Find a free summary of the guide attached.

From offering financial protection, to legal compliance, to building client confidence, PII has an essential role in helping to protect against claims made by third parties as a result of negligent professional services.

This easy-to-follow guide – the first of its kind to cover such depth – equips architects to navigate the maze of insurance jargon, complexities and myths, giving them confidence when applying for or renewing their PII, and helping their businesses survive an unintended and unexpected event.

It explains terminology and outlines the value and principles of insurance, how it works in practice, how to buy good quality insurance, and the importance of being risk-aware – as awareness of what can happen can prevent it from happening. It also sets out what to do when a crisis does occur.

Written by experienced professionals, this guide is supported by the ongoing work of the RIBA Council Expert Advisory Group on PII, comprised of insurance industry experts and RIBA members.

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Our profession has been crying out for support with Professional Indemnity Insurance, and I am pleased to say that we have heeded that call. The importance of appropriate PII cover cannot be understated – sitting alongside a commitment to excellence, ethics, innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, it is a critical component of building and maintaining a strong professional reputation.”

RIBA Chair of Board Jack Pringle said:
“As practices continue to grapple with economic uncertainty, this guide to navigating the complexities of Professional Indemnity Insurance could not be more timely. It is essential for architects to be well-versed in insurance in order to protect their practice and thereby their clients through appropriate cover. Familiarising yourself before the worst happens is the best way to be business resilient. This guide is the culmination of years of work by the industry’s top experts and provides practical support in clear, no-nonsense language. I look forward to seeing it used far and wide.”

Previously on e-architect:

1 February 2024

New RIBA guidance demystifies smart building technology

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today, Thursday 1 February 2024, published its Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work.

Developed with ScanTech Digital, Glider Technology, Kier and Hoare Lea, this free resource will support anyone involved in the design of newbuild, retrofit or refurbishment projects to implement smart building technology.

The Smart Building Overlay introduces smart building terminology and outlines the benefits of embedding smart building technology from the outset. Its principles can be applied to projects of all scales and scopes.

At a domestic level, smart building technology can be used to remotely and automatically manage heating, lighting, security, appliances, electric vehicle charging and air quality.

Commercially, it can support business activity and space versatility, and optimise management and maintenance regimes. For example, in an office building, a system that automatically adjusts lighting and heating in response to weather conditions and occupancy levels can reduce energy consumption and operational costs as well as providing user comfort.

Smart building technology also supplies data on building performance, helping to evaluate and address operational energy usage, and mitigate safety risks.

RIBA President
Muyiwa Oki said:

“The Smart Building Overlay is a helpful roadmap to guide built environment professionals in using smart technology, which is an important tool to reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Our research shows that, too often, the decision to include smart technology in a project is often made too late. So, this guide prompts the client and project team to integrate smart technology
discussions at every stage of design and construction. It recommends involving specialists at the earliest possible stage to ensure successful project outcomes.”

RIBA News in January 2024

25 January 2024

Architects face uphill battle despite growing confidence of larger practices: RIBA Future Trends December 2023

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings from its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.

December’s findings show that, over the next three months, architects continue to expect workloads and staffing levels to fall overall, but larger practices seem markedly more optimistic.

Larger practices grow in confidence about future workloads

In December the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index fell by 3 points to -9. A negative balance indicates an overall expectation of falling workloads among architects.

Over the next three months, 20% of architects practices expect workloads to increase, 28% expect them to decrease, and 52% expect them to stay the same.

The outlook of small practices (1-10 staff) has worsened, falling by 3 points to -15, while medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices reported a Workload Index figure of +30 – a 6-point increase from November.

In terms of sectors, all monitored work sectors maintain a negative outlook on future work, with three out of four more pessimistic than the previous month. The outlook for the Private Housing sector held steady at -16, the Commercial sector fell by 4 points to -5, the Public sector fell by 2 points to -9 and the Community sector fell by 7 points to -9.

Regionally, the picture remained mixed, with Wales and the West falling back into negative territory after last month’s recovery, down by 19 points to -17; London (-5), the South of England (-14) and the Midlands & East Anglia (-23) all worsening; and the North of England improving by 9 points to +5.

Staffing levels expected to fall overall, despite growing optimism of larger practices

In December, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index rose by 1 point to -2, indicating a slight improvement, but practices still expect their permanent staff numbers to decrease over the next three months.

• Over the next three months, 9% of practices expect to take on more permanent staff, 11% expect to employ fewer, and 80% expect no change.
• Small practices continue to expect staffing levels to decline, providing a Permanent Staffing Index figure of -5, the same as in November.
• Medium and large practices once again expect an increase in permanent staff, returning a combined Permanent Staffing Index figure of +19, a considerable 14-point rise from November.
• The regional outlook on permanent staffing is varied. The South of England, with a Staffing Index figure of +5, is the only region where practices expect an increase in permanent staffing levels.
• The Temporary Staffing Index slipped marginally to -6, suggesting falling numbers of temporary staff over the next three months.

• Levels of personal underemployment increased from 22% in November to 26% in December.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said:

“While the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and construction output price inflation are both on a downward trend, this has yet to translate into an uptick in architects’ commissions. These results indicate practices expect to reduce workloads and limit recruitment as they head into 2024.

Practices also continue to report the challenges of still high inflation, high interest rates, elevated project costs, and ongoing planning delays, alongside diminished pipelines of work and low levels of enquiries. Some note planning delays being exacerbated by the level of detail required in planning submissions, deterring the progression of potential projects.

We are also aware of heightened competition, including from ‘architectural designers’, which continues to intensify the downward pressure on fees, and an increasing number of reports of clients failing to pay invoices on time, threatening practice cash flow.

RIBA Business Benchmarking 2023 provides a more detailed analysis of business trends affecting the profession last year.”

Background:

1. Completed by a mix of small, medium and large firms based on a geographically representative sample, the RIBA Future Trends Survey was launched in January 2009 to monitor business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession.
2. 247 practices took part in the December 2023 survey.
3. The survey is carried out by the RIBA in partnership with the Fees Bureau. Results of the survey, including a full graphical analysis, are published each month here.
4. The definition for the workload balance figure is the difference between those expecting more work and those expecting less. A negative figure means more respondents expect less work than those expecting more work. This figure is used to represent the RIBA Future Trends workload index.
5. The definition for the staffing balance figure is the difference between those expecting to employ more people in the next three months and those expecting to employ fewer. A negative figure means more respondents expect to employ fewer permanent staff. This figure is used to represent the RIBA Future Trends staffing index.
6. To participate in the RIBA Future Trends Survey, please contact the RIBA Practice Department on 02073073749 or email [email protected]. The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete each month, and all returns are independently processed in strict confidence.
7. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.

RIBA News Events 2024 information from The Royal Institute of British Architects

Location: 66 Portland Place, London, England, United Kingdom

Previously on e-architect:

RIBA News in 2023

19 December 2023
Michael Gove announces planning reforms in speech at RIBA HQ

Today, Tuesday 19 December 2023, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has announced the second phase of its Long-Term Plan for Housing, launched in July 2023.

Michael Gove at RIBA HQ London:

Speaking at the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at 66 Portland Place, London, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said that the changes would speed up the planning system, and outlined the Government’s response to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy consultation.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, speaking at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) HQ in London.

RIBA Chair of Board Jack Pringle gave opening remarks before welcoming the Secretary of State onto the stage in the RIBA Gallery. Responding to the announcement, he said:

“Today’s focus on ensuring that we build more new homes, alongside the infrastructure needed to sustain our communities, is to be applauded. New measures to tackle delays in the planning process and ensure that local authorities have clear plans in place are long overdue.

The Secretary of State has recognised the important role of architects and planners, but this must be backed with further resource. Delivering high-quality, sustainable and genuinely affordable new homes will require more skilled expertise in overstretched local planning departments. As was acknowledged, to do this we must ensure fees paid for planning applications are invested back into the system.

We look forward to seeing further detail on today’s announcements and will continue to work with the Government to deliver homes and places in which people can thrive. Our planning system is an impediment to badly needed development at local, national and infrastructure levels. We need to move to a simpler, faster planning system with more predictable outcomes.”

13 December 2023
RIBA statement on COP28 outcomes

RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said:
“Today’s historic agreement to deliver a new era of climate action is monumental. It’s the first time that a COP outcome has acknowledged the need to move away from fossil fuels – and this is a truly welcome and positive shift.

Other COP28 agreements have put the built environment firmly on the map. Pledges to improve energy efficiency, increase timber use in buildings, and reduce carbon emissions from cooling all signal that we are moving in the right direction – and it’s clear that architects have a key role to play.

But we must go further. These pledges alone will not limit the warming of the planet to 1.5°C. We must ensure we regulate and reduce the whole life carbon impacts of the built environment and ensure that procurement and planning policies embed sustainability at their heart. We continue to work with the sector and the Government to make this a reality.”

Previously on e-architect:

RIBA UK News Archive

RIBA News & Events 2023

RIBA News & Events 2022

Royal Institute of British Architects News for 2022 – key selection below:

Serjeant Award for Excellence in Architectural Drawing News

image courtesy of Nathan Tipping-Stevenson
RIBA Serjeant Award for Excellence in Architectural Drawing

2022 RIBA Charles Jencks Award News
2022 RIBA Charles Jencks Award

RIBA Reinvention Award News
RIBA Reinvention Award

2022 RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship Winner

Muyiwa Oki Elected RIBA President

UK Government Building Policy 2022 News
UK Government Building Policy 2022

RIBA and Scott Brownrigg prize fund to support sustainability research

image courtesy of The Royal Institute of British Architects
RIBA Scott Brownrigg Award for Sustainable Development 2022

RIBA HQ refurbishment
RIBA HQ refurbishment, 66 Portland Place

RIBA News & Events 2021

RIBA News & Events 2021

RIBA News & Events 2020
RIBA News & Events 2020

RIBA News & Events 2019
RIBA News & Events 2019

RIBA HQ at 66 Portland Place

RIBA Gold Medal for Architecture

RIBA Awards

RIBA Stirling Prize

RIBA Honorary Fellowships

London Architecture Events

AA School Events

Bartlett School of Architecture Event

Architecture Design

Contemporary Building Designs – recent architectural selection from e-architect below:

Architectural News

Architecture Exhibitions

Architects

Comments / photos for the RIBA News & Events for 2024 page welcome