018 REPORTER
and it also makes it harder to retain architects when their lives change. This shouldn’t be happening today. This issue is compounded by the UK
government’s recent decision to revoke the Level 7 apprenticeship in architecture. This apprenticeship provided a vital, accessible route into the profession, especially for those who couldn’t afford the traditional academic pathway. We strongly opposed the decision, as we believe it undermines the diversity of talent that architecture needs to thrive, and we’ll continue to push government on this.
RIBA is a 200-year-old institute, but what does it represent today? It’s my view that RIBA today represents some of the same things it did 200 years ago, which is laid out in our royal charter, which is primarily its members, the pursuit of excellence in architecture, and improving the built environment for the benefit of everyone in society. The challenges have changed but RIBA’s
fundamental purpose and vision for architecture to play a part in creating a better future for everyone remains the same. We have a responsibility to use our position as built environment experts to work with the government and regulatory bodies to try and ensure that we can inform policy around issues, such as the housing emergency, sustainability, and addressing the skills shortage in our profession. If we look ahead, our House of Architecture
programme, which has included investments in our word-class collections, upgrades to our digital infrastructure, and sensitive work on our headquarters, is helping position us to represent and shape the industry for the next 100 years.
What are the big issues facing architecture? Removing Level 7 apprenticeships for over-21s is a significant issue for architecture that will have major implications for the profession further down the track. It’s a critical blow to the profession. By cutting this option, the government risks narrowing the talent pool and limiting opportunities for diverse, skilled architects. With the government committed to
delivering 1.5 million new homes, we need all avenues for training and developing talent to be fully supported. Removing this apprenticeship route is a backward step, and it’s dificult to see how we can meet these ambitious targets without the skilled professionals the Level 7 apprenticeship would provide. Climate change is an obvious issue that
unites us all, and it’s a particular challenge for the built environment, but architects can be a big part of the solution. With building and construction projects contributing to high carbon emissions, RIBA was a founding member of UK Net Zero Carbon Standards (UKNZCBS) pilot scheme, working towards a standardised approach to decarbonising the built environment. It is the first cross-industry standard for all major building types, which will mean that partners across the sector will be able to ensure that their built assets are net zero and in line with the UK’s climate targets. Another significant issue currently facing
architecture is the urgent need to address the retrofit of existing buildings. Retrofit –
This image Oki worked on the HS2 Euston project
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