In October, ARB launched Modernising the initial education and training of architects, a discussion document detailing our proposals to reform architectural education. The proposals we put forward have the potential to lead to the most significant changes to architectural education in fifty years. The world is changing, and to ensure that architects are ready to meet the demands of today and the challenges of tomorrow, they need to be equipped with the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours to practice successfully.

In producing Modernising the initial education and training of architects we spoke to architects from across the UK, and carried out research to help identify the competencies that tomorrow’s architect will need. The workshops in this series will offer the opportunity to discuss some of the potential areas of competency with ARB senior leadership and respected representatives from the industry. They will be hosted in-person in different cities, but will be available to watch and participate in online simultaneously.

Event 2: Professionalism and Ethical Behaviours - London

Following the first session in this series, which dealt with the topic of environmental sustainability, this the second session will deal with professionalism and ethical behaviours. At our online listening events held earlier this year, this topic was raised repeatedly by architects as an important area of their work.

ARB’s current approach to education and training includes requirements for architects to have an understanding of professional ethics, their obligation to society, and attributes of integrity, impartiality, reliability and courtesy. But as we modernise our approach, should we use our role to help to ensure the profession becomes more inclusive and works well in different community contexts? If so, what behaviours do we need to encourage in architects, and how can we develop an educational outcome and supporting standards to achieve this?

This discussion will also consider the architect’s role in the safety and wellbeing of society. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster Dame Judith Hackitt called for a culture shift in the construction industry’s attitude towards safety, and the climate emergency is causing the profession to reflect on the impact that architects’ designs have on the environment. As 21st century society changes in an increasingly globalised world, must the ethics that architects practise by also adapt?

Featuring

- Dr Teri Okoro (Director, TOCA Architects and ARB Board Member)

- Siu-Pei Choi (Architect, Senior Design Manager at Wates Residential, and member of FAME network)

- Neal Shasore, (Head of School, The London School of Architecture)

- Hugh Simpson (Chief Executive and Registrar, ARB)