Architecture Review 2004

As we review the events of the past year it is clear that we are living in a time of significant change. In the case of Ireland and in particular, the architectural profession and built environment, these changes are profound.

It has presented both challenges and opportunities for architects and the RIAI. Architecture is now a topic, which is more apparent on the public agenda. The RIAI continues to have an increasing role in influencing the cause of architecture with Government, policy makers and public commissioners of architecture.

As we review the year’s activities, it becomes apparent that the range of issues and activities facing the Institute continues to grow, and also that the scope of services available to members, clients and the public is increasing at a considerable rate.

ISSUES
The year began with the Institute’s response to the Competition Authority’s Consultation Document on the architectural profession. In the interim we have been engaged in informal contact with the Authority and have submitted further clarifications in response to public commentary by the Authority’s chairman. We still await the Authority’s final report, which is now expected to be published with that of the engineering profession, in early 2005.

Yet another year has passed where the issue of registration of the title ‘architect’ remains inconclusive. As a profession, we are in the anomalous position of being almost unique in the European Union in not having a Registration Act. The new Building Control Bill, which is expected to provide for the registration of architects is now expected to be published in the summer of 2005.

Urbanism is a subject to which I have attempted to give particular attention as part of my overall agenda. In the last year the RIAI has lobbied for new policy initiatives aimed at promoting quality in urban design and architecture to ensure that the regeneration and extensions of our villages, towns and cities are well designed and sustainable.

As part of the Institute’s initiative to put urbanism and urban design on the public and professional agenda, major urban design seminars have been organised in Dublin and Limerick for architects, engineers and planners. We intend to undertake further urbanism initiatives with our fellow built environment professionals in the coming year.

Planning, and in particular the operation of the Planning and Development Act 2000 has been a major issue for members this year. In June the Institute made a proposal to Government for the introduction of a Planning Charter, new and improved Development Control Guidelines and the establishment of a Planning Monitoring Body to review performance in the planning area. We intend to continue lobbying both the new Minister and departmental officials for implementation of these proposals.

The effects of the continued growth in our economy have begun to reflect itself in the architectural education arena. During the past year, proposals have emerged to increase the intake at the existing schools at UCD and DIT, The University of Limerick has advertised and interviewed for the Professorship of Architecture for its proposed new school.

Further initiatives for new schools of architecture are also emerging at Waterford Institute of Technology, UCC and UCG and other third level institutes. The Institute has conveyed its desire to see an increase in the number of architectural graduates.

However, it is also concerned to ensure that standards are maintained at a high level. An initiative has been undertaken to engage in an Architectural Education Forum with the Higher Education Authority early in 2005 to brief the colleges on RIAI and ACE education policy.

INITIATIVES
Over the year, the Institute has lobbied actively on the political front:

Together with the IEI and SCS a series of submissions was made on the proposed amendments to the Safety and Health at Work Act to the HSA and relevant Government departments.

• In February, Irish MEPs were lobbied for support of ACE’s position on the EU Qualifications Directive.
• In March, a joint RIAI/IEI/IPI/RTPI/SCS submission was made to Minister McCreevy on Government decentralisation policy and its effect on the National Spatial Strategy.
• In June, a joint RIAI/IEI/CIF delegation met with Ministers McCreevy and Cullen to emphasise industry concerns regarding proposed charges to Government procurement procedures for public buildings.
• In July, a joint RIAI/IEI submission was made to the DOEHLG outlining a proposal for a system of self-certification of compliance with building regulations. This system would be similar to the current RIAI/Law Society form of certification and is an attempt by the professions to tackle the issue of the large amount of building work, which is currently not independently inspected by private professionals or local authority staff.

On a wide range of other fronts, including insurance issues, registration, architectural policy, competitions etc, the RIAI has been actively involved in promoting the interest of the profession.

MEMBERSHIP
This year saw RIAI Insurance Services Limited granted a formal license as a registered insurance intermediary. This will allow the company to improve its services to members. Through the company, the RIAI successfully lobbied underwriters to provide special cover for members in relation to aspects in buildings.

In response to The Competition Authority’s ban on fixed scales of fees, the Institute launched an independent fees survey so that members will have accurate information in relation to fees in a range of sectors.

We have continued with a CPD Course to members with a Conservation Induction series in the early summer and a general course in Galway in November.

A series of sub-committees of Council has been appointed to prepare papers on RIAI strategies on the proposed Government initiative to introduce fee bidding for all professionals on public contracts on planning, fixed price contracts and a range of other topics.

The steady growth of our profession has continued in 2004. 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. In fact, between 2001 and 2004, less than half of our new members have been educated in Irish schools of architecture.

EVENTS
Throughout the year, the Institute hosted a series of exhibitions at 8 Merrion Square, which has become more accessible to both members and the public. We look forward to further initiatives in this regard in the coming year.

One of the most exciting of these initiatives is the joint RIAI/Arts Council proposal to create an Architectural Quarter in Merrion Square with the Institute’s building and the new Irish Architectural Archive headquarters as centrepieces of the initiative.

Our members have also partaken in a series of international exhibitions including The Venice Biennalle. Work has been completed on the second edition of the Reflecting Cities exhibition/video, which is due to be launched soon.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
The RIAI, through its membership of The Architect’s Council of Europe (ACE), the European Architectural Policies Forum and UIA supports their activities in monitoring and influencing developments in areas of EU and International policy which have a direct impact on architecture, architectural practice and the built environment.

The first meeting of The Architectural Policy Forum was held in Dublin in April. RIAI representatives have participated actively in general assemblies in Milan and Brussels and a range of work groups. In addition, the RIAI has been very active in ACE in relation to initiatives on the urban environment, health and safety legislation, governance and competition.

As President, I have been particularly impressed by the high regard in which the Irish profession is held internationally. From the Russian Federation, where the RIAI received an award for its contribution to the Russian profession in the post-perestroika era to our partners in the various EU countries, Irish architects are much admired for their commitment and professionalism. It is a challenge to maintain and enhance this reputation.

THE FUTURE
As can be seen from this account, 2004 has indeed been a year of challenges and opportunities and part of an era of change. Since I became President last January and am grateful to my predecessor, Toal O’Muire and his predecessors for the strong organisation which I inherited.

I am also grateful for the committed and professional support which I have received from the RIAI Council, from John Graby, Kathryn Meghen, Anne McNicholl, Joe Miller and their excellent RIAI team.

The Institute will continue to focus on the primary aims of the Institute to promote architecture, ensure educational standards are met and protect our members, while adapting to the changing circumstances in our society. In a time when Ireland itself is evolving rapidly, we will attempt to meet the challenges so that we can ensure that we can contribute to providing a built environment that is elegant, stimulating and environmentally sustainable.