RIBA- The Royal Institute of British Architects

ABOUT…
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects in the United Kingdom.
Originally named the Institute of British Architects in London, it was formed in 1834 by several prominent architects, including Philip
Hardwick, Thomas Allom, William Donthorne, Thomas Leverton Donaldson, John Buonarotti Papworth and Thomas de Grey, 2nd Earl de
Grey. It was awarded a Royal Charter in 1837, becoming the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, eventually dropping the
reference to London in 1892.
The RIBA is a member organization, and provides support for a 40,500 members worldwide in the form of training, technical services,
publications and events, and set standards for the education of architects, both in the UK and overseas. It works with government to
improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities.
At the Victoria and Albert Museum, the RIBA hosts exhibitions, archives, talks and shared study facilities in partnership with the V&A.
And, from its London headquarters, it helps the public to learn more about the built environment through information services, websites
and a library that includes an unrivalled collection of books, photographs and manuscripts.

RIBA is based at 66 Portland Place, London—a 1930s Grade II listed building

designed by architect George Grey Wornum with sculptures by Edward Bainbridge
Copnall and James Woodford. The Institute also maintains a dozen regional offices
around the United Kingdom. Parts of the London building are open to the public. It
has a large architectural bookshop, a café, galleries for exhibitions and lecture
theatres. Rooms are hired out for events.

Architecture for All

The Institute has created a partnership with the Victoria & Albert Museum called
Architecture for All to promote public understanding of architecture. In 2004, the two
institutions created a new Architecture Gallery at the V&A. In addition RIBA's
archives have moved to new facilities in the Henry Cole Wing at the V&A, which also
houses study rooms where members of the public may view items from the RIBA and
V&A architectural collections under the supervision of curatorial staff, and an
education room.
RIBA Awards
RIBA runs many awards including the Sterling Prize for the best new building of
the year, the Royal Gold Medal (first awarded in 1848), which honours a
distinguished body of work, and the Stephen Lawrence Prize for projects with a
construction budget of less than £500,000. The RIBA also awards the President's
Medals for student work, and these are regarded as the most prestigious awards in
architectural education. The RIBA European Award was inaugurated in 2005 for
work in the European Union, outside the UK. The RIBA National Award and the
RIBA International Award were established in 2007.

Designation
ARIBA: Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (no longer granted to new
Architectural Aspiration above the Main
members) Entrance
FRIBA: Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (now an honorary designation)
RIBA: Chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects
The Institute's president is designated PRIBA, past presidents use PPRIBA.

WHAT THE RIBA DOES

Mission and Strategy
Mission Statement

To advance architecture by demonstrating benefit to society and promoting excellence in the profession. 

Vision
Champion for architecture and for a better environment.

Strategy
• Demonstrate the benefits of good architecture.
• Promote and enhance the benefits.
• Facilitate the delivery of good architecture.
• Provide high-quality support services.
• Develop the capability to deliver the strategy. Ruth Reed is the first female President of the RIBA.
Policy Department

The Policy team plays a key role in helping to decide and communicate the RIBA's position, and delivers professional guidance across a
wide range of issues. The department also administers and report to the RIBA's Policy and Strategy Group. It also co-ordinates and
manages work programmes across the organization, working closely with the Public Affairs and Leadership teams, and the Regional
Offices. 
Areas of particular policy focus include:
Planning; Sustainability and Climate Change; Flooding; Public Procurement; Education; Health; Housing; Inclusive Design

Main Departmental Responsibilities

• Challenging the government to ensure that good design is valued economically, socially and environmentally.
• Reviewing the RIBA's strategic planning
• Co-coordinating policy activity across the Institute at all levels (proactive and reactive, general and sector-specific, external and
internal) 
• Providing a resource for policy development, channeling inputs from RIBA Interest Groups and Committees, the RIBA Client Forums,
Knowledge Communities and Building Futures, the RIBA's think-tank.

Current Issues

Current policy initiatives for the RIBA include:

• Initiating a range of activities to play their part in addressing climate change, including: providing tools and guidance to members,
lobbying for higher environmental standards, seeking to minimize the RIBA's own environmental impact and helping the public to better
understand the role buildings can play in affecting climate change.
• Reform of public procurement to improve the design of schools, hospitals and other public buildings.
• Reform of the planning system to protect and encourage good design, improve the speed and efficiency of the planning process, and
deliver more sustainable buildings.
• Improvement in the quality of new housing for all, to examine ways to deliver better housing quicker, greener and cheaper, and to
examine ways to make the existing homes more sustainable.
• Ensuring that excellent design contributes to the success of the London 2012 Olympics.
Client Forums and Building Futures

Client Forums are designed to strengthen the relationship between architects and their clients working in key industry sectors such as
housing, health, education, sport and leisure. Each forum is composed of architects, government officials and senior managers responsible
for commissioning buildings.

Building Futures is the research and future studies programme of the RIBA. The programme includes undertaking research, holding
lectures and debates, and provides a space for discussion and interaction between researchers, developers, architects, clients and the
public.

Consultation and Legislation

In this section, the RIBA responds to various government consultations, reports and policies. The RIBA is always very keen to be
completely engaged with proposed Government policy and legislation. An official, written response from the RIBA is one of the best
ways that it as an organization can express the views of the members.

RIBA Policies

The following are RIBA Policies on key issues concerning architects and architecture:

Housing
The RIBA's 2007 Housing Policy entitled "Better homes and neighbourhoods" has been key to the organization's push to ensure that
strong design principles are set within the planning and delivery of new housing. 
The document highlights the drive for better, more sustainable communities as well as a call for the implementation of minimum space
standards in all new housing. 
The document has been pivotal to the campaign and there have been encouraging developments, with English partnerships and London
Mayor Boris Johnson adopting much of what has long been recommended within their own planning guidance.

Sustainable Communities
Launched on 21 September 2004, the RIBA published policy recommendations on sustainable communities in response to and in support
of the Governments own studies and proposals including the Barker and Egan reviews as well the Sustainable Buildings Task group
report. 'Sustainable Communities: Quality with quantity' draws together information from many sources and presents the RIBA position
on how to deliver the communities plan
Cultural Policy
Launched in January 2001, this policy states the RIBA's commitment to a number of objectives to celebrate, promote and share the rich
cultural heritage of architecture.

Education

Criteria for Validation

The Criteria for Validation, effective from September 2003, describes the requirements for the recognition of Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
courses in architecture in the UK. They are used in conjunction with the RIBA Procedures for Validation. 
 Curricular Development
The RIBA has endorsed two new education policies to promote breadth and variety in architectural education. The approved statements,
released June 2003, reinforce the RIBA's policy that architectural teaching is a liberal discipline and should offer visual literacy in all
areas of design. 
 Tomorrow's Architect
Published in May 2003, Tomorrow's Architect is the RIBA's manifesto for architectural education over the next five years, following the
latest review of the RIBA's Outline Syllabus for the Validation of Courses, Programmes and Examinations in Architecture. 

Employment Practice Policy

The RIBA is committed to promoting employment best practice in the architecture profession. Endorsed by Council on 12 May 2004, the
following policy statement encourages best practice for both employers and employees and emphasizes the business as well as the social
case for adopting good employment practice.
 
Equal Opportunities Policy
The RIBA is committed to a policy of equal opportunities. The following policy statement applies to all members and staff of the RIBA,
having been adopted by RIBA Council in February 2001. RIBA action on equal opportunities is guided and co-ordinated by Architects
for Change, its equality forum.

Environmental Manifesto
This manifesto was formally adopted by the RIBA Council on 19 July 2000. The RIBA is committed to the principle of sustainable
development and will use its influence to endorse this principle and translate it into action. The RIBA's Sustainable Futures Committee
has further information on the Institute's work to promote environmentally sustainable design within the construction industry.

Health and Safety Action Plan

In collaboration with the Construction Industry Council (CIC), this action plan details how the RIBA will fulfill a number of health and
safety objectives. This is a working document, updated regularly by the Practice Department.
Planning: Achieving Quality Design in Local Plans
It is RIBA policy to continue to assist the government and local authorities in improving the planning system so that it encourages quality
architecture. This document, drafted by the RIBA Planning Policy Group and launched at the Urban Summit in October 2002, suggests
several recommendations for improving local plans.

Procurement Policy
Launched November 2001, this policy outlines the RIBA's commitment to a construction procurement that provides best value and a
clear, collaborative and creative process, and overall results in a better designed environment.

Role and status of profession: Architects and the Changing Construction Industry
This leaflet by the RIBA Constructive Change committee was distributed to all members as a supplement in the July 2000 issue of RIBA
Journal. It is aimed specifically at architects to engage the profession in the changing construction industry and to work towards changing
the industry for the better. A three part agenda for action sets out the challenge.
 
Best Practice Small Practice
This document urges Government to ensure that the skills of small and medium sized practices are used to contribute to the public sector
building programme and that there are opportunities for growth.

Meeting the Challenge

The RIBA is committed to advancing the architecture profession. This booklet published in May 1999 addresses the current issues facing
architects and architecture and sets out a strategic agenda and targets for both the profession and the RIBA.

VAT Joint Statement

The RIBA urges Government to reduce the rate of VAT on building work covering the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing
and historic buildings so that they are taxed in manner closer to that of new-build. We believe that at present VAT provides a perverse
incentive to neglect maintenance of existing homes and build on greenfield sites. The RIBA has joined a campaign with the Federation of
Master Builders, RICS, CABE, English Heritage, Civic Trust, and the National Trust on this issue.
Equality and diversity: Architects for Change

Architects for Change (AfC) are the equality forum of the RIBA. The committee aims to
improve equality and diversity in the education and practice of architecture.
 AfC has contributed to research studies into the low levels of female and ethnic minority
representation in architectural education and the profession.
The RIBA Architects for Change was established in 2000 to challenge and support the RIBA in developing policies and action that
promote improved equality of opportunity and diversity in the architectural profession.
The coordinating committee of AfC brings together the energies and concerns of external networks, including Women in Architecture
(WIA), Society of Black Architects (SOBA)and ARCHAOS, the student architect forum.

Aims
AfC strives to improve equality and diversity in the education and practice of architecture. Particular issues and actions the group seeks to
address are:
Education: to encourage a diverse entry into architectural education, based upon ability and potential, and reflecting the diversity of the
society architects serve; to reduce dropout rates; and improve diversity in the curriculum, and studio teaching cultures.
Profession: to identify inequalities in pay and career progression opportunities that undermine, in particular, the career development of
women and BME professionals; improve working conditions and pay for students; to demonstrate that family friendly working and
humane working hours can make business sense.

Public Affairs

Architecture is political - because architecture is really all about issues such as where we live, how our children are taught, how we are
treated when we are ill or the quality of our neighbourhoods. It is the job of the RIBA's Public Affairs team to raise the profile of
architecture among decision-makers in Westminster and Whitehall and, in doing so, help them realize that architecture and good design
touch on everybody's lives at all sorts of everyday levels.
Research and Development

The Research and Development Department is part of RIBA Professional Services, which undertakes a wide variety of activities,
including: the annual high-profile RIBA Presidents Awards for Research, Research Symposium, Knowledge Management, and
undertaking technical projects.
The department also liaises widely within the construction industry through proactive membership of a number of organizational and pan-
industry working groups and committees.

The RIBA promotes research and innovation to advance the knowledge base of the architects' profession, including by:
• Encouraging interaction between practitioners and researchers,
• Facilitating debate,
• Helping disseminate research outcomes. 

Our departmental mission is 'capturing, sharing, and applying professional knowledge in architecture and the built environment' .

Departmental Objectives
1. Enhance the RIBA's involvement and reputation in research, knowledge sharing and technical activities.
2. Increase the RIBA's external profile and influence, links and representation in other bodies and institutions relevant to architecture
and built environment research, knowledge transfer and technical information.
3. Encourage and promote liaison between practitioners and the research community in architecture and the built environment.
4. Nurture connections between those with a research capability, those with a need for research, and those with funds for architecture
and built environment research.
5. Publish, and encourage the dissemination, sharing and implementation of the outcomes of research.
6. Gather, synthesize and distil relevant technical information, knowledge, and resources for the practice of architecture.

Building Futures

Building Futures is the future studies programme of the RIBA. Its activities include undertaking research, producing publications, and
holding lectures, debates and seminar events. Building Futures  promotes and encourages  interaction between researchers, developers,
architects, clients and the public.
Building Futures was established to create space for discussion about the needs of society from our built environment and, consequently,
the built environment professions in 20 years and beyond.
The group aims to address the big picture. How and where will we be living in 50 or 100 years' time, when the climate has changed and
cities are bigger than ever? What technologies will architects be using to design buildings and what new materials will they be
specifying? How will the inevitable new technologies affect the buildings we all use every day?
 ORGANISATION

RIBA Council
RIBA Council is the charter body, and is ultimately responsible for the conduct and development of the institute. It comprises 60
members, the large majority of whom are chartered architects.
The council passes down detailed responsibility and technical focus to the RIBA Board and executive. The executive is split into four
subsidiary companies, each with its own board of directors, trustees and staff.

Constitution

Charter and Bye-laws

Charter : The Royal Institute of British Architects was granted its Royal Charter in 1837 by the Privy Council under King William IV.
Supplemental Charters were granted in 1887, 1909 and 1925. These were subsequently revoked and replaced by a single Charter in 1971.
Minor amendments have been made from time to time since then.
The purpose of the Royal Institute was set out in the original nineteenth century Charter and remains true to this day:
'… the general advancement of Civil Architecture, and for promoting and facilitating the acquirement of the knowledge of the various arts
and sciences connected therewith…'
Byelaws : The Byelaws provide the RIBA's operational framework and are updated more frequently to keep up with the times.
Being a Royal Charter body, any revisions to the RIBA's Charter and Byelaws require the approval of the Privy Council.

Code of Professional Conduct

Structure
The Code has three principles based on integrity, competence and relationships with others. Brief notes explain how each of these three
principles may be upheld. More detailed information is provided in a separate series of nine guidance notes – three for each
principle. These deal primarily with practical issues such as forms of appointment, insurance requirements, advertising and CPD. The
notes also include dispute resolution, conflicts of interest and taking over someone else's work.

Applicability
The Code is applicable to all members in all membership classes, but it will of course have greatest relevance to members in practice. 
Members are expected to be aware of the Code's contents and abide by its terms, wherever they are working. The Code itself deals with
conflicting jurisdictions overseas.
The guidance notes are intended to provide both advice and information on best practice and to act as a support and aide to members in
their professional work. They distinguish between conduct and practice which is obligatory and that which is only advisable or
preferable. This distinction will be taken into account when a formal complaint of professional misconduct is made against a member.
RIBA Holdings
RIBA Holdings co-ordinates the activities of the RIBA to achieve the RIBA's mission and to provide central support services. RIBA
Holdings:
• Provides advice to RIBA Council on major policy and resources issues, and oversees the implementation of its decisions
• Provides central support services, principally policy and international relations, corporate communications, finance and resources
• Co-ordinates business between Council, Holdings Board and subsidiary boards.

RIBA Trust
The RIBA Trust is a charitable company limited by shares. Its aim is to advance architecture through public information and education.
The RIBA Trust:
• Demonstrates the benefits of good architecture
• Promotes and enhances the benefits
• Facilitates knowledge, understanding and appreciation of architecture
• Supports and develops the British Architectural Library.

RIBA Professional Services

RIBA Professional Services is a not-for-profit company limited by shares; it is a totally owned subsidiary company of RIBA Holdings
Ltd. RIBA Professional Services promotes excellence in the architecture profession by providing through-life support for RIBA members,
services for clients and working together with the construction industry.
Professional Services departments comprise:
•Education
•Research and Development
•Practice
•Membership and Client Services

Regional Structure
The RIBA has 11 regional offices in England, plus the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW). It has agreements with the RIAS
and RSUA for the provision of services to RIBA members in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also has four active international chapters
in the US.
RIBA Board

The RIBA Board is the group board, responsible for directing the overall business of the RIBA. It operates under the overall authority and
policy of the elected Council of trustees, and co-ordinates the operations of the subsidiary companies.