Opinion
Latest Opinion
Renewing my insurance should not have been such an ordeal
Navigating brokers, underwriters and soaring premiums, Satish Jassal provides his insights into the insurance crisis facing the profession.
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Selling off social homes is not the answer to the housing crisis
Instead of building the new social housing we need, Boris Johnson is fixating on populist policies we already know don’t work, writes Ben Derbyshire
Two rooms and two curators: this Summer Exhibition is mixing things up
The RA’s architecture room focuses on the climate emergency but only underlines the inadequacy of most architects’ responses, writes Ben Flatman
Brace yourselves for the next wave of fire and safety regulation
Several new pieces of legislation are coming in response to Grenfell and many architects are having to run to catch up, writes Andrew Mellor
Bartlett report sheds much-needed light on our profession’s wider failings
The Bartlett sought to break down its students in order to build them back up again in the school’s own mould, writes Ben Flatman
What is Oxford Street for?
Footfall is still down, so some radical new thinking is needed to save one of the UK’s most iconic streets, writes Martyn Evans
We should all be striving for sustainability
MiddleCap’s Tomáš Jurdák explains why pushing the environmental performance of buildings is not simply a matter for the planning system
Why I’m supporting Muyiwa Oki to be the next RIBA president
Former president says progressive candidate could “hugely enrich” the institute as nomination deadline looms
Reducing embodied carbon through facade design
Mark Voss shares his perspective on the industry’s challenges facing the reduction of embodied carbon associated with the building facade and how early input from facade designers can help
The Coach: It’s OK to get angry – it’s how we deal with our anger that’s key
There are workplace situations in which anger seems to be the only legitimate response and it can then be used as a force for good, says Louise Rodgers
The Coach: It’s OK to get angry – it’s how we deal with our anger that’s key
There are workplace situations in which anger seems to be the only legitimate response and it can then be used as a force for good, says Louise Rodgers
What’s going on at the RIBA?
Ours is an organisation out of step with its members and the profession it represents, writes Eleanor Jolliffe. The theory is fine but in practice it is so frustrating
What’s stopping us from carrying on exactly as we are?
The target for achieving net zero may still be decades away but, in order to hit it, we have to make changes to the way we design and build right now, says Anna Beckett
New Labour: remembering an era of optimism, enthusiasm and mixed results
It is 25 years since Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide victory and the architectural legacy is both good and bad, writes Ben Flatman
Architecture is ephemeral, urban design is eternal!
Most masterplans are never built but, once they are, they can last for ever – even if the name of the masterplanner is quickly forgotten, writes David Rudlin
Design better, specify better and consume more carefully – that’s my (not so) radical idea
While we should all be taking action in order to preserve our planet, direct action is actually rather less effective than well-placed words if we want to drive real and lasting change, writes Matthew Lloyd
What can we expect from the Queen’s Speech?
Ben Derbyshire is optimistic that Gove will propose a range of innovative proposals
MoMA’s exhibition illustrates the rich legacy of south Asian modernism
New York museum seeks to put region’s architecture in a post-colonialist context, writes Ben Flatman
Handle with care: retrofits are full of surprises and architects have lots to learn
A standard architectural education does not equip us well for working on historic building fabric. You need a clear understanding of how materials work, writes Eleanor Jolliffe
Scrapping the S106 agreement would mean better placemaking
The government’s plan to introduce a consolidated infrastructure levy allows placemakers to focus on what’s important – creating schemes of both spatial and social quality, says James Cons
The Coach: Quitting your job is a big deal. Have you really thought it all through?
Change is often good and perhaps never more so than in these post-pandemic times. But Louise Rodgers advises that you explore your desire for something different a little more carefully before you jump ship
What’s stopping us taking more risks?
The Victorians built long-lasting structures with limited foundations yet our perception of acceptable risk has changed completely and we are now overdesigning. Anna Beckett wonders if there is a better balance to be struck
‘There’s still work to be done to make space for the needs of women’
Barbara McFarlane and Jane Darke were contributors to a ground-breaking analysis of the way architecture and design were marginalising women in 1984. Here they look back at the book, its context and its legacy
What’s in store for these great British emporia?
An entire class of buildings has become redundant and risks being lost for ever, says David Rudlin. But it was never about their external appearance
It’s time to look after NHS staff if we want them to look after us
With the new hospital programme now underway, we should consider respite space provision for those expected to work in them so this can be incorporated into the design
A time to take stock – and an opportunity to do things differently
This terrible war is a catastrophe but the eventual rebuilding of Ukraine could yet provide a legacy of which future generations can be proud, says Julia Park
Five things we have learnt about being a B Corp
Stride Treglown chairman Pierre Wassenaar explains why his firm went through the process and has some advice for others thinking of following their example
Architects have strangled themselves
We have an opportunity to re-stitch some of the professional fabric we have so determinedly unravelled and rise to the challenges of the 2020s, writes Eleanor Jolliffe
Did London really need a massive new arts quarter in Stratford?
A desire to ensure a lasting cultural legacy after 2012 does little to support a levelling-up agenda and now looks like an increasingly questionable initiative, writes Ben Flatman
Amid the devastation of Ukraine the desire to rebuild is urgent and powerful
Despite the awful human suffering and pointless destruction, there is a sense of solidarity and collective desire about the global response that brings hope for a better future, says Matthew Lloyd
Ethics in architecture includes what you specify
Positive and lasting change should follow the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and architects are uniquely placed to help, writes Tim O’Callaghan
Why selling your practice (sometimes) makes sense
Weston Williamson + Partners has been bought by Egis. Chris Williamson has some advice for other firms considering taking the plunge
What’s stopping us from having a better gender balance in the construction industry?
This is not an issue for women – it’s an issue for everyone. Things are starting to change, but there is a long way to go, says Anna Beckett
Cities are being destroyed but their residents’ spirit survives
The Russian invasion is demonstrating the fierce loyalty of Ukrainians to their home environment, says David Rudlin
