The RIBA has warned that architects working in London could be swamped by competing housing design standards when they come into force next year.

The group made its comments following the closure of consultation on the Homes & Communities Agency’s housing design and sustainability standards.

Details of these are expected to emerge this September ahead of their implementation next April.

The HCA wants one set of core standards to cover space standards, sustainability and Building for Life – the industry criteria used to measure housing quality.

It currently uses standards from its two predecessors, English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation.

But the RIBA said architects in the capital would still have to meet different standards because London mayor Boris Johnson is due to publish his Housing Design Guide later this year.

“There remain areas where the two standards are not aligned and a unifying document is needed to iron out some inconsistencies and provide clarity to architects,” it added.

RIBA also said Building for Life should not be the core basis of mandatory housing standards because it is “too subjective”.

But it welcomed plans by the HCA for space standards. “We strongly support the main thrust of the [HCA] measures,” it said. “Space standards are vital to improving housing design and should be applied across the board.”

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