Architecture and the Institute

At the outset, I would like to say that I am very proud and honoured to have been elected as President of the RIAI for the next two years. The Institute, particularly in the recent past, has been fortunate to be led by a succession of Presidents who have achieved much on behalf of the profession.

Continuing this tradition during the term of office of Toal Ó Muiré, significant initiatives have been undertaken in the areas of architectural quality, planning administration, housing design standards and, in particular, conservation accreditation.

My predecessors have set very high standards of achievement, which will become a benchmark reference during my time in office and I will endeavour to follow their excellent example. It is my intention that we should build on the solid achievements of the past, pursuing current policies and objectives, while augmenting them with new initiatives.

QUALITY IN ARCHITECTURE
Quality in architecture is promoted by the Institute in a variety of ways. Through its Triennial and Regional Awards system it recognises architectural achievement at both national and local levels. The high calibre of projects considered for the recently awarded Gold Medal and the success of RIAI members in winning international awards and competitions is a clear signal that Irish architects are currently producing work that compares favourably with the best and most innovative internationally.

The publication by the RIAI of The New Housing book, which illustrates current examples of housing design and layout, was a further initiative to promote quality in architectural design. It is my hope that the high standards in architectural quality attained in recent years will be maintained and
expanded into the field of urbanism and that the RIAI will contribute to ensuring that the achievements of its members are recognised by arranging for the publication of further material on Irish architecture.

REGULATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSION
By the time this column is published the RIAI response to the Competition
Authority’s Consultation Document on the architectural profession will have
been completed. I feel it is appropriate to comment at this stage on some of the issues raised by the Authority.

Fees
The Consultation Document proposes that the RIAI should publish no fee
information whatsoever. It is essential, from the perspective of both architects
and their clients, that the current RIAI series of independent surveys of historic fee levels continues to be published. The RIAI is hopeful that, based on recent rulings in other EU jurisdictions, the Competition Authority can be persuaded to permit the continued publication of such information.

Advertising
The Authority recommends that the RIAI remove restrictions on advertising
and Council has agreed to consider this proposal. However, the Institute will seek a review procedure to assess whether unrestricted advertising works to the disadvantage of smaller practices.

Architectural Competitions
The Authority criticises RIAI-organised competitions, which limit entry to
qualified persons. The widespread success of the architectural competition
system is based on the confidence of architects that they are competing in a
transparent process and of the client that the system will produce a qualified
professional winner capable of seeing the project through to completion.

The proposal of the Competition Authority to open RIAI competitions to “practically qualified architects” would diminish client confidence in the system and would undoubtedly reduce the number of future competitions.

Building Regulations
There is currently a nationwide problem with the low rate of inspection of
buildings by local authorities. There is no prospect of policy initiatives towards a local authority administered building regulation approvals system. In the public interest, registration of title for architects and a system of self-certification of compliance with Building Regulations would appear to be the only realistic option to deal with this issue.

Registration
As with many of my predecessors, the issue of registration of the title
“Architect” remains foremost on the RIAI agenda. The Competition Authority’s
Consultation Document has concluded that “the case has not been adequately
made for such a restriction”; “a regulatory impact analysis” of registration
should be undertaken; and, should it ultimately be found necessary, “any
registration system should be administered by an independent, preferably
statutory, body”.

The RIAI position is as follows:

• There is a need to protect clients from the danger of inadequate service from unqualified practitioners
• The DoEHLG Building Control Bill will be based on the principles of coregulation as defined by the European Commission. It will set out a framework for devolution of administrative functions to an independent body
• Our ethos has been to promote the public and consumer interest in
  architecture rather than act as a sectoral interest. We have never sought to limit entry to the profession other than by
  equivalence of qualification.

It is an anomaly that Ireland, almost alone in the European Union, has no
architects’ registration act. Within the professional standards set in other EU
states, a very competitive profession operates. There is no reason to believe that Ireland should be any different. It is in the interest of the public, the consumer and the architect that a registration act should be enacted in Ireland.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
I am very impressed by the high regard in which the RIAI is held in the Architects Council of Europe (ACE), based on the contribution of its past and current representatives. Some of the many areas of activity in which ACE is involved include task forces on public procurement, the professional qualifications directive, environment and sustainability, and urban issues.

The work of ACE is critical to monitor and contribute to EU policy making
and legislation and to set out the European architectural profession’s position on the built environment. It is in the interest of Irish architects that the RIAI remains a committed and active member of this important body.

MEMBERSHIP AND NEW INITIATIVES
The RIAI currently has a membership of almost 2500. The profile of the
membership is changing and we now have a higher proportion of recent
graduates and architects from abroad and in regional areas.

These changes are invigorating and need to be reflected in the way the Institute is structured. I hope to take a series of initiatives to encourage participation by a wide range of individuals and interest groups in Institute affairs. I also hope to continue the initiatives of my predecessors in meeting members at 8 Merrion Square to discuss specific topics.

I also hope to expand the recognised skill base of the membership to new areas including urban design and urban framework planning, certification under the new EU Energy Performance Directive and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

It is mainly through the enthusiastic contribution of its members that the
Institute maintains its energy and diversity. Through these attributes, it represents the profession and highlights the importance of architecture and the built environment in our society.

If you feel you have a contribution to make to the profession please contact us, your help will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to working on your behalf in the coming two years.