RIBA Brief: September 2010

BSF cuts make a complex equation

Joni Mitchell’s assertion that you ‘don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone’ has never been more relevant.

The devastating news that half the schools to be built under Building Schools for the Future programme have been halted has brought into focus the benefits of new or refurbished building.  The media has paraded the dated, temporary and poorly maintained accommodation in which too many children have struggled to enjoy a good education.  It has told tales of teaching teams waiting for new buildings to house swelling classes and given airtime to a head teacher pleading for the state to value his pupils. Children have eloquently described what they had hoped to gain from their now-abandoned new school.

This outcry is not for a luxury, but an essential: adequate accommodation.  We all deserve to work in environments that bring out the best in us – well lit, warm buildings spacious enough to enable the task in hand.  Delivering it with design flair and inspiration enhances the experience.  Schools should be a synergy of good teaching and learning set in an environment conducive to excellence in both.

These are compelling arguments that the government should not ignore. The short term justification for reducing capital spending on schools – that the BSF procurement route was inefficient – should not mean a return to under-investment in our school buildings.  The initial investment reaps greater rewards in terms of added value. Better academic achievement, greater social cohesion, reduced policing, even increased property prices have been attributed to better local schools.

The schools refurbished and rebuilt in the last few years have been of an ever improving standard – witness two on the shortlist for the Stirling Prize. This excellence has often been achieved despite the procurement process. It is perhaps significant that both the shortlisted schemes had been delivered with a more direct relationship between the architect and school briefing team than can be achieved in most PFI processes. The cancellation of BSF should be an opportunity to reassess and improve procurement methods to put the relationship between the client and design team at the heart of the process and to continue to provide excellent teaching environments in new and refurbished schools.

The RIBA is putting the case robustly to government, calling for continuing improvement of the schools estate, both for the value it creates and because of the economic damage this abrupt end to the BSF is having on the construction industry and wider economy. Investment in the education sector delivers returns to society as a whole far beyond the immediate benefits.

Ruth Reed | RIBA President

East Midlands

Half a century in buildings
­following a successful run at Nottingham Contemporary, a major touring exhibition from RIBA East Midlands will be at the Wirksworth Festival in Derbyshire in September before touring leading cultural venues across the region.  ‘Fifty buildings, 50 years’ celebrates 50 outstanding modern buildings from the swinging sixties to the present. The exhibition includes leading examples of commercial, industrial, cultural and academic architecture selected for their exemplary design and contribution to the region’s identity.

‘Selecting just 50 buildings to represent the region’s architecture and its links with the East Midlands identity has been incredibly challenging,’ said Hannah Minton, chair of the steering group. ‘We very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Ibstock Brick for their generous support for this project.’

Fifty Buildings, 50 Years – Modern Architecture in the East Midlands.
For further information go to www.architecture.com/fifty50.

Architecture for all

Something for everyone this Autumn
The RIBA’s architecture for all programme for autumn 2010 has been announced.  It includes:
> Stephen Lawrence Trust Memorial lecture, 9th September, chaired by Kwame Kwei-Armah with guest speakers Boris Johnson and Oona King debating diversity in a recession.
> RIBA Stirling Prize in association with The Architects’ Journal and Benchmark, awarded at a ceremony broadcast live on BBC2 on 2 October.

> The RIBA Annual Discourse on 12 October will be delivered by Lord Foster.  He will reflect on the issues explored in his early works, look at how they have evolved through his global practice, and link them to the wider issues of today.

> In Shanghai: Impossible City on 26 October Professor Ruan Yisan will explore whether his city can balance the demands of development and growth with respect for the city’s historic identity and a sustainable approach to its heritage sites.

> On 30 November, US architect Steven Holl, the 2010 Jencks Award winner, will discuss his work and the poetics of space, colour, and material.

> A symposium on Edwin Lutyens at Great Dixter on 6 November, marking the centenary of his work for Nathaniel Lloyd at his East Sussex house includes speakers Gavin Stamp, Charles Hind, Dr Esmé Whittaker and Dr Janet Whymark.

Exhibition highlights include the brilliant architectural photography of Eric de Maré (above) at 66 Portland Place, while the V&A will show Charles Holden’s designs for London Transport.

For full details of the programme and to book tickets, visit www.architecture.com/programmes

Membership

RIBA launches new disciplinary procedures
Following approval by Council in March, the new RIBA disciplinary procedures come into effect this month.

The changes were recommended in an independent report by Jodi Berg, the Independent Complaints Reviewer for Public Bodies. 

Key features of the changes to the procedures are:
> a greater concentration on resolution of issues through alternative dispute resolution
> a simplification of procedures (and the resulting shortened timescales)
> a move toward a much greater involvement of independent lay members in the disciplinary process.

It is important that all members apprise themselves of these changes in the procedure.

For full details visit the RIBA website (www.architecture.com), or contact the Professional Standards office, either by email to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or on tel: 020 7307 3649