In difficult economic times, there have been arguments that good architectural design is an unaffordable luxury, when in fact the opposite is true. In fractured financial times, the investment in high quality architecture is the wisest possible use of public money. Extensive research has been carried out in the UK and abroad and the results have shown the measurable social and economic benefits of well-designed buildings and spaces. Responsive and thoughtful architecture adds huge value to areas and the people who live and work in them. Continue reading →

The UK has been plagued by a housing crisis for a number of years. There are several reasons for this including a lack of space, demand outstripping supply, issues with finance and opposition to housing projects. The final problem is a major one and has led to countless projects failing to achieve planning permission and being cancelled. Many things can produce a public outcry against a project, including the design, the impact on the skyline or environmental factors. It is clear that modern designs need to take public opinion into account if they want to obtain support. Continue reading →

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have agreed to one of the biggest changes to architectural education in over 50 years, voting to eliminate the three-part system which is currently in place. For students and young architects, the changes will mean that there will be around three years taken off the average amount of time that it takes to fully qualify. And rather than going through a three-part system, students will instead be offered an integrated system with the chance to gain valuable experience. Continue reading →