Journal

The RIBA is going to spend £85million on its House of Architecture programme consolidating the architectural collections, upgrading its digital platform and spending £59million on the refurbishment of its HQ at 66 Portland Place.

There’s a lot to unpick here. I haven’t done a deep dive into the finances. I don’t know where the money is coming from or how sound the business case is, but it does raise questions. Does your average person, let alone most architects, know, care, or spend any time at 66 Portland Place? Will the £59million refurbishment change that? Is a dusty, old institutional building in the heart of London the best representation of a modern profession, or is it a hollow vanity project?

Architecture is currently in a tough place. Speaking with so many architects over the last six months there is a clear consensus about this. The profession’s value, esteem and public profile is at a low ebb. I don’t know if it’s ever been lower.

So, a provocation.

Would the £85million be better spent challenging the government’s anti-competition stance on FEES and explaining the dangers of the current race to the bottom?

Would the money be better spent lobbying and establishing a closer relationship with government, as other industries do, to ensure that we have a VOICE within the halls of power?

Should the RIBA be spending the money communicating in clear terms to the public and to the construction industry what architects do and the VALUE that they bring?

Find out more about the House of Architecture here