Debate
Should the skateboarder community have to move from the Southbank undercroft?
Campaigners have criticised plans to turn the Centre’s skate park into retail units as part of a £120m revamp
Are architects being too optimistic about future work?
Do the figures really bear out the belief that things are looking up?
Is the RIBA doing enough for small practices?
A coherent voice for firms of all sizes, or not giving the underdogs the help they need?
Was Thatcher bad for the development of British architecture?
As prime minister in a period of dramatic change, how did she leave her mark on the profession?
Should Elizabeth House have been called in?
The redevelopment of the site next to Waterloo station remains a contentious issue
Should architecture schools reduce student numbers?
As architectural unemployment rises, do we need to cut back on those training to enter the profession?
Do design ‘experts’ have too much influence?
Is Will Alsop right, or do architects need to get better at collaborating?
Should the Heygate Estate be torn down?
South London’s brutalist behemoth: ready for the wrecking ball, or just in need of some TLC?
Is it too late to save the British pub?
Yes, says Paul Nuttall, state meddling has killed a great British tradition; but David Knight believes the pub’s community role can come to the rescue
Are the RIBA Awards too expensive?
Yes, says Ben Kilburn, smaller practices are being excluded; but Bill Taylor believes the new cost categories make them fairer than ever
Will 2013 be a better year for architects?
Yes, says Adrian Dobson, architects are at the front end of the demand cycle; while Kallum Pickering says the sector is set to suffer more
Has bad design turned the public against development?
Yes, says Andrew Beharrell, it is one of the reasons people resist development; while Steve Turner says housebuilders build the homes people want
Will the new Bristol mayor be good for the city?
Yes, says Jack Pringle, George’s energy will make a difference; but Tim Kent is wary of one person having so much power
Is the RIBA right to overhaul its Plan of Work?
Yes, says Dale Sinclair, it is no longer tailored to the way we work today; while Mark Newall says the general membership should have been consulted
Is listing being swayed by economic factors?
Yes, says Peter Stewart, it is a political decision; while Roger Bowdler says the utmost impartiality is used
Was the RIBA right to criticise the EFA’s baseline school designs?
Yes, says Michal Cohen, it’s the RIBA’s job to critique public building programmes; but Rob Charlton believes its sensational language helps nobody
Are architects doing enough to encourage housebuilding?
Get stuck in to property development, urges Dickon Robinson… bourgeois balderdash, says Simon Allford
Should Eduardo Souto de Moura accept Israel’s Wolf Prize?
The Portuguese architect has been urged to boycott the $100,000 award
Will the Farrell Review make a difference to the profession?
This is architects’ chance to make an impact on policymakers. But can it succeed?
Is this a time for clients to be brave?
In an uncertain climate, do architects need clients who are willing to take risks?
Are flatpack building systems an answer to the housing crisis?
The country needs more new homes. But will a shift to offsite construction really help?
Should 'beauty' be applied to housing design?
Volume housebuilding is guided by economics, not aesthetics, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel
Should temporary buildings be allowed to win RIBA awards?
They can be poetic and experimental - but is that enough?
Does the capital need Design for London?
Yes, says Julian Lewis, it is the kind of leader in creative influence that the city needs; while Mira Bar-Hillel says it will not be missed
Should architects sue if their work is copied?
Yes, argue Ian Lowe and Oscar Webb, copyright protection is essential to creativity; but Sam Jacob says it’s all part of architectural culture
Is the impending demolition of Preston bus station justified?
Yes, says Peter Rankin, because refurbishment would be a false economy; while Clare Price argues it is a national icon that could be imaginatively remodelled
Would mandatory fee scales help the profession?
Yes, says Brian Waters, because architects need guidance; but the RIBA’s Richard Brindley believes they are obsolete, dangerous and illegal
Can demolition be justified to create wealth and new jobs?
Yes, says Ken Shuttleworth, it can be the only realistic approach; while Chris Brown thinks retaining old buildings contributes to the vitality of cities
Are building regulations holding back development?
Yes, says Nahid Majid, they are confusing and need to be streamlined; while Paul King says availability of finance is the real issue
Should foreign architects be allowed to enter RIBA Awards?
Yes, says Marco Goldschmied, to exclude a building for being ‘foreign’ would be a Ukip stance; while Meredith Bowles thinks it will marginalise British architects
