Memorandum from the Royal Institute of
British Architects East Midlands (EM 05)
INTRODUCTION
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
is one of the most influential architectural institutions in the
world, and has been promoting architecture and architects since
being awarded its Royal Charter in 1837. The 40,000-strong professional
institute is committed to serving the public interest through
good design. It also represents 85% of registered architects in
the UK through its regional structure as well as a significant
number of international members. Our mission statement is simple—to
advance architecture by demonstrating benefit to society and promoting
excellence in the profession.
The RIBA East Midlands team is based in offices
in Lincoln and operates across the region to promote, encourage
and raise awareness of good design in architecture as well as
supporting high standards of architectural practice. RIBA East
Midlands has 894 chartered members plus a further 675 student
members. The executive team work with a Council made up of regional
chartered members.
RIBA EAST MIDLANDS
WORK AS
STAKEHOLDER WITH
EMDA
RIBA East Midlands interact with emda
through several different forums and welcomes partnership opportunities.
A selection of RIBA members are active on committees and boards
of regional organisations working in the fields of built environment
planning and design and the construction industry.
The RIBA value working with emda in the
support of architecture and architects for the economic benefit
of the region and would welcome closer working with relevant departments
where engagement is not currently established.
SMEs The majority of architectural practices
in the region are SME's. The emda interest in supporting
the construction and built environment professionals during the
current recessionary times is welcomed. This is evidenced in events
by EMCBE and, in particular, the interest in dissemination and
development of the Career Chain project. Details of other specific
support or training is unclear and support for recent graduates,
both seeking employment and work experience, is one notable exception.
Outlined below are the key areas of engagement
between RIBA East Midlands and emda:
SUSTAINABILITY
emda are supporting the development of
RIBA East Midlands Low Carbon Awards through a research grant
to identify recommendations for these new regional Awards for
architecture.
This is extremely useful for the region and
the advance of architecture in the region because these new Awards
will applaud, demonstrate, educate and stimulate initiative and
positive action in the design and delivery of new buildings of
design excellence in response to the affects of global warming
and climate change. The existing Environmental Initiative Award
(see below, also supported by emda) has gone some way to
raising awareness of the importance of incorporating a commitment
to sustainability from the concept/briefing stages of any development
project.
In view of the urgency of addressing climate
change the timely emda support for the proposed new RIBA
EM Low Carbon Awards , enables the RIBA to establish a considered
framework within which to identify and applaud new low carbon
buildings (and developments designed ) for low energy consumption,
both embodied and whole life time.
DESIGN EXCELLENCE
The RIBA East Midlands Awards celebrate annually
the best new contemporary architecture within East Midlands.
emda have supported the RIBA EM Awards
for four years through the Environental Initiative Award. Within
the context of excellence in design, this Award recognises architectural
design initiative in the areas of sustainability and low carbon.
emda's support is helping to encourage and embed low carbon
design considerations within all new development and raise awareness
with those who procure new buildings.
BLUEPRINT DEVELOPMENT
COMPANY
emda supports Blueprint a regeneration
development company that aspires to delivering high architectural
quality in its building projects, most of which enjoy funding
through emda. This commitment to architecture of quality
is to be applauded. This is evidenced in that one recently completed
building, Highfields Automotive Engineering Workshops, has been
shortlisted for a 2009 RIBA Award for architecture (our national
platform).
REGIONAL DESIGN
REVIEW PANEL
OPERATED BY
OPUN
The RIBA strongly supports design review as
a way of ensuring high quality design through peer review through
a design review panel. This important work raising standards of
design in the built environment is supported by emda. A
high proportion of the panel members are RIBA chartered architects.
The work of the design review panel is contributing to improved
standards of development within the region, which, when these
projects are delivered, will bring added economic and social benefit.
The panel frequently reviews key development schemes making recommendations
in a supportive manner and is seen by RIBA to be effective, valuable
and well managed.
CIC—CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY COUNCIL
EAST MIDLANDS
Through the EMCBE the RDA supports the Construction
Industry Council in East Midlands. This is a valuable and active
forum which bring together the Professional Institutes for the
built environment and other key regional bodies ( total 15 )
enabling them to speak with one voice. The RIBA are active with
the CIC and the associated Employers Panel. emda regularly
participate with topical presentations to the CIC Executive.
URBAN PRACTITIONER
GROUP
The RIBA are part of the UPG, managed by REM
(Regeneration East Midlands) who are funded by emda. The
recommendations outlined in Capturing the Urban Offer in the
East Midlands are welcomed.
The changes to regional policy proposed in the
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill and
the potential effect on the work of emda:
The Local Democracy, Economic Development and
Construction Bill places a new duty on RDAs when developing the
regional strategy must exercise this with the objective of contributing
to the achievement of sustainable development and in doing so
have regard to the desirability of achieving good design.
The RIBA is very supportive of this change.
We cannot achieve sustainable development without good design.
We believe this will enable the East Midlands RDA to demand only
the best design and challenge bad design.
Too much of new development in the UK falls
short in terms of design quality and sustainability. Design should
be properly entrenched into the planning process in order to improve
the quality of the built environment.
| 
