We have all grown accustomed to remote working over the last year. But these unusual circumstances continue to prove challenging for many. As ever, we are keen to offer support where we can and want to make sure you know what is expected of you during the pandemic. I encourage you to read the ‘Dear Architect’ article within this eBulletin for advice on working in compliance with Government restrictions during lockdown.

The Board met recently, for the first time this year, and reaffirmed our eagerness to capitalise on the extensive work we have done following the end of the UK-EU transition period. We have already made excellent progress by signing a formal agreement with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland to facilitate ongoing mutual recognition of qualifications and minimise any burden on UK and Irish architects.

We are continuing in this spirit of international collaboration as we explore similar arrangements across Europe and elsewhere. We have established a cordial dialogue with the Architects’ Council of Europe, where colleagues in other countries have shown themselves as keen as we are to set in place sound new arrangements which assure safe, effective practice in the profession across the whole continent.  We will keep you updated and share information as soon as it is available.

In the survey we commissioned in autumn 2020, architects told us that safety and sustainability were the two most common issues that had become more important to their job in the last five years.  Our ambition is to raise competence in fire and life safety design and in sustainability, so we will be issuing guidance to all education providers delivering ARB prescribed qualifications. This guidance explains what we expect from institutions delivering education and training. It’s essential to help ensure that architects of the future are equipped to deal with the significant challenges posed by these issues.

Before we publish this guidance, I want to make sure we hear your views on it. We are consulting on it until midday on Friday 23 April 2021 and are particularly keen to hear what architects have to say about it. Please read this article for more information about the consultation, including how to respond.

This is our first consultation of 2021, and we want to build on this momentum by improving the ways we engage with the profession. I want us to create even more opportunities to hear from architects, so that you can shape the work we do and the way we regulate. I would therefore encourage you to join the new Architects Engagement Group, an exciting new initiative you can read more about here.

I end this message by wishing you all safety and good health, physical and mental, at this difficult time. Perhaps we can at least look forward to some improvements to the weather by the time I next write to you in the spring …

Alan Kershaw

Chair

Architects Registration Board