RIBA launches campaign to abolish Architects Act

RIBA has officially launched its campaign to abolish the Architects Act to clear the way for a new regulatory system which strengthens the roles of qualified architects.

The plan, called Towards Tomorrow’s Architecture, aims to raise the profile of the profession, champion fairer approaches to procurement and improve skills through lifelong learning.

It is seeking to address persistent fee pressures across the sector which have continued to worsen as the environmental, technological and regulatory requirements on architects increase.

RIBA chair of the board of trustees Jack Pringle said: “The architecture profession is evolving, and RIBA is leading that change. 

“This plan sets out our full commitment to breaking down the systems and barriers that can limit opportunity and progress. 

“From reforming professional regulation, to boosting business skills and viability through lifelong learning and specialist training, to raising the profile of architects so people truly understand the value we bring – change is urgently needed. 

“Some of this work is already underway, and some of the actions on the table are ambitious, but we are ready to meet the challenge.” 

The campaign targets four priority areas for reform which RIBA will aim to achieve through collaboration with its members, industry partners, educators and the government.

It includes driving regulatory reform by repealing the 1997 Architects Act, which set up ARB, and introduce a new model which only allows qualified architects to perform key activities including submitting full planning applications.

It also includes the promotion of a five-year route to becoming an architect, improving life-long learning and strengthening links between academia and practice to ensure the profession remains inclusive and equipped with the skills needed for the future.

RIBA also want to improve business practices including sharing fee information for clients and establishing a new Master of Business Administration in architecture.

The institution is seeking to raise the profile of the profession through ensuring architects are involved in major housing developments and new towns and advocating for stronger design leadership in local and regional government. 

The launch of the campaign comes two months after RIBA president Chris Williamson announced he was allowing his ARB registration to lapse in protest at what he described as the “abusrdity” of the current regulatory model.

As of the beginning of this year, the WW+P co-founder is no longer able to call himself an architect but is still able to perform most of the functions of registered architects.

Pringle also revealed earlier this month that he also did not renew his registration at the end of last year in protest at what he described as a  regulatory system which “offers no real public protection”.