Protection of function. The very words are usually enough to reignite old debates about what an architect is, or the unfairness of the UK system.

My own opinion, until recently, has been that if architects are as able to communicate their value as we all believe ourselves to be then we shouldn’t need protectionist regulation to ensure we all have a job in 30 years’ time. If we’re good at what we do, and adaptable to the changing construction industry, we don’t need protection of function. The draft Building Safety Bill (BSB) is changing my mind.

The BSB, in the words of the fact sheet HM government has prepared on industry competence, will “impose a requirement on principal designers, principal contractors and anyone carrying out any design or building work to be competent for their roles […] individuals will need to have the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours necessary for their role.”

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