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NEWS
Managing Editor James Parker
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FROM THE EDITOR
eing an architect, on the surface, might seem to be one of the world’s ultimate professions, combining a high degree of creative satisfaction with the solving of complex structural and interpersonal challenges to bring a tangible positive difference to the world.
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However, as ever the reality is rarely quite as wonderful as the PR, and currently the profession may be in something that’s short of the current mot du jour, ‘crisis,’ but much bigger than a ‘pickle.’ The context is that the numbers of ARB registered architects has doubled since 2000, showing that it remains a highly in-demand profession. But that in itself is part of the problem. The new world of Regulation-riven projects and competence testing comes on the back of a few decades where architects have often been relegated to purveyors of decoration, and sometimes not even present at all in building projects. Conversely, they are still the fulcrum of a vast number of successful buildings across the UK, the cool-headed link between contractors and clients, who often have distinctly different priorities. I’d suggest they are essential. But with the ARB and RIBA’s internal and inter-organisational battles ongoing, who is fi ghting architects’ corner on fees? Traditionally, architects were rewarded handsomely in many cases for the amount of responsibility (and risk) they undertook. Now, as starkly shown by an important comment on bdonline by architect Hien Nguyen of Cambridgeshire practice MCW, pay and margins are cripplingly low against an increasing mountain of work on projects, downwardly-mobile fee bidding. And crucially, architects do not feel they are being advocated for in the sector. Following the recent furore around Chris Williamson’s seeming rejection of ARB, Nguyen has thrown light on pay, and somewhat put her head over the parapet. But it is a light that should not be allowed to dim once the next cause takes up the airtime. The architect’s description of a “slow and continual erosion of the profession’s value and viability” needs to ring across the sector. Laudable moves like the Building Safety Act are understandably creating new bureaucracy, but it is not that will likely put off those future graduates. It’s more likely to be the sense that architecture may not be a secure profession for them to enter, and fi rms that are struggling to invest in new staff may fi nd the recruits aren’t there in any case.
James Parker, Editor
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NORWICH CASTLE RESTORATION
A Norman fortress is conquered by Feilden+Mawson, providing an accessible 21st century destination while restoring its intrinsic identity
A Norman fortress is conquered by Feilden+Mawson, providing an accessible 21st century destination while restoring its intrinsic identity
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