Emily Rivers
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a professional body which architects in the UK can join. To describe themselves as a Chartered Architect, architects must be a registered member of RIBA. The RIBA drives standards across the sector and represents architects nationally and internationally. Read on to find out more about the RIBA and why you should choose a RIBA Chartered Architect for your commercial project.
What is RIBA?
The RIBA is a regulatory body. They regulate the architecture industry by setting standards that their members must follow. Architects can register individually as registered members or as a company. Registered companies are known as Chartered Practices.
The RIBA publishes responses to policies that affect architects. It also sets standards that architects should uphold. There are strict requirements for membership to the RIBA. The RIBA checks that individuals have the right qualifications. The RIBA requires that companies have policies for health and safety as well as equality and diversity. In this way, the RIBA drives standards and best practices across the industry.
What are the benefits of using a RIBA certified architect?
There are lots of benefits to choosing a Chartered Architect for your commercial project. These include:
- Chartered Practices have to have quality management policies in place. The company must frequently review their work to make sure it’s high quality. This means you know you’ll be getting the highest quality plans and drawings.
- Architects registered with the RIBA have had their qualifications and professional experience verified.
- They have also had their insurance policies verified, so you know they’ve got the right insurance to protect their work.
- The RIBA publishes responses to policies that affect all aspects of architecture. RIBA certified architects have access to lots of training and information about these areas, meaning they have expertise in areas like environmental standards.
- The RIBA also requires that architects do a set amount of professional development. RIBA certified architects have committed to keeping up with developments in their field.
- For all these reasons, RIBA registered architects are at the forefront of the architecture industry.
There are lots of reasons why it’s a good idea to choose a RIBA certified architect for your commercial project. Chartered Architects may be more expensive than other architects, but it’s often worth it for peace of mind. When you hire a RIBA certified architect to design your commercial project, you know you’ll be getting the highest quality plans and drawings.
For more information about the RIBA, see their website. They offer a searchable list of Chartered Practices here.
