August 11 2020

Simon Allford has been named as the next president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, commencing his two-year term of office from 1 September.

As 79th president Allford has vowed to devote his tenure to the creation of a leaner and more open body through the development of a range of new initiatives.

Speaking following his win Allford said: "We need an institute of ideas with architecture front and centre, hosting debates, lectures and exhibitions reflecting changing cultural and practice contexts. We need an institute that celebrates and promotes members’ work at home and worldwide. We need an institute that is a practice friend, enabling members to share ideas about the best ways of working, using today’s technology to help advance architecture for the benefit of society – our Charter obligation.

"I am committed to the ‘House of Architecture @ RIBA’, an online and physical entity capable of forming alliances with clients, consultants and contractors to influence government over procurement and education, while also helping us to address global climate change and architecture’s pivotal role in a post-pandemic world.”

Congratulating Allford on his win RIAS President, Christina Gaiger, said: “I wish him all the best for the role and very much look forward to working with him to continue to strengthen our joint public message around the value of an architect.”

Turnout for this year's election, the first open to students, associates and affiliates as well as chartered members, stood at 13.2%.

7 Comments

#1 Posted by Rikishi on 11 Aug 2020 at 15:51 PM

Identity politics people will be upset they did not pick someone who identifies as a jellyfish.

#2 Posted by IndyNoo on 12 Aug 2020 at 09:40 AM

Are there any less relevant "professional" bodies than RIBA / RIAS at the moment? Clearly the voters, all 13.2% of them who decided to vote, think otherwise. The rest of the membership probably realise how old, dated, formulaic and pointless RIBA are; but then again, a white, middle aged Brexiteer just about sums up 66 Portland Place and it's vacuity in contemporary life.

#3 Posted by Adesuwa on 12 Aug 2020 at 18:05 PM

There are around 7.7 million species on earth but there has only ever been one species appointed as RIBA president, it is so vacuous to appoint another human to the role, to be more inclusive they could appoint a dolphin, cat or a dog etc. Human supremacy must end.

#4 Posted by Joseph on 13 Aug 2020 at 00:37 AM

Interesting why the President elect's skillet, accomplishments, achievements and service to the profession are not at the forefront of the comments above. Instead they profile him according to skin colour, gender and age. All of which incidentaly are legally protected characteristics. Shameful times!

#5 Posted by Andy Pandy on 13 Aug 2020 at 11:01 AM

13.2% ??!! If I where the RIBA I would be horrified that as the face of the profession, only that amount gave a hoot about who is leading them. And it was open to students as well, did they think that would drive up the numbers?

#6 Posted by IndyNoo on 13 Aug 2020 at 12:07 PM

"Interesting why the President elect's skillet, accomplishments, achievements and service to the profession are not at the forefront of the comments above. Instead they profile him according to skin colour, gender and age. All of which incidentaly (sic) are legally protected characteristics. Shameful times!"

#4, not sure why the President elects cooking skills (skillet?) are relevant, but maybe that just emphasises the pointlessness of RIBA. If so, good point.

Also, nowhere did I mention gender. Regarding the "profiling" - would you argue the President elect is neither white nor middle aged? They may be legally protected characteristics, but they are also suitable descriptors in this woke age.

#5, agreed. The turnout is shameful at best - what is the point in paying exuberant annual fees to RIBA when there are no benefits beyond the use of a small logo on your site boards? And that is assuming you are lucky enough to actually be employed as an Architect on a construction project, and not just left behind where some other "professional" does that work instead of you as the title of Architect is only protected, not the function.

#7 Posted by Joseph on 13 Aug 2020 at 13:19 PM

#6 Just racist and ageist then not sexist.
'Cooking skills.' Yes make it anything except about the architecture!

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