Professional Membership Body of National Architectural Associations
Legal status
Registered Charity
Purpose
Maximising the contribution by architects to the well-being of society.
Region
The Commonwealth
President
Steven Oundo
Senior Vice President
John Brown
Executive Director
Jacob Mwangi
Website
www.commonwealtharchitects.org
The Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), established in 1965, is a professional association of national architectural associations representing architects in Commonwealth countries. The stated purpose of the CAA is to "maximise the contribution of architects to the well-being of society."[1] The organisation's mission is to help facilitate real change through the Commonwealth network by advancing policy, education and practice to increase inclusion, equality and prosperity. Ultimately, the CAA aims to help make cities and human settlements safe, resilient and sustainable.[2] The CAA is one of 80 accredited organisations which support the work of the Commonwealth of Nations.[3]
At the time of its formation in 1965, the CAA was formed by six architectural institutions. By the 1990s, the organisation had grown to represent 38 architecture institutions, with a combined membership of over 44,000 architects from across the Commonwealth.[4]
The first President of the CAA was Sir Robert MatthewCBE from 1965 to 1969.[5] Peter Oborn served as President of the organisation between 2022-2024.[6][7] Following a General Assembly held in Kigali, Rwanda in 22 August 2024, Steven Oundo from the Architects Association of Kenya was elected President for the 2024-2026 term.[8]
A five-day International Architectural Exhibition of the Commonwealth Association of Architects was held in Battaramulla, Colombo, Sri Lanka in November 2013. It ran concurrently with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.[9]
The organisation held a two-day international summit in London, in June 2015, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.[10][11]
Srtructure
Constitution
The CAA is formed by Constitution which was first adopted at the general assembly of June 1965. Since then, it has been regularly amended and updated in 1971, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1994, 2000, 2003, February 2016, August 2022 and August 2024.[12] The Constitution outlines articles on the objectives, membership, assembly, council, finances, committees and by-laws which govern the day-to-day operation of the CAA.
Governance
The strategic direction of the CAA is determined by an elected Council, drawn from member organisations and elected at a General Assembly held on a two-year cycle. The CAA Council is supported by two committees - Education and Practice alongside a part-time Secretariat and a five-member Board of Trustees.[8] The CAA is a registered charity in the UK.[13]
Council
The CAA Council is comprised of the following members:
President
Senior Vice President
Immediate Past-President
Honorary Secretary & Treasurer
Vice President, Africa
Vice President, Asia
Vice President, Caribbean and Americas
Vice President, Europe
Vice President, Pacific
Chair of Education & Validation Committee
Chair of Practice Committee
Youth Representative
Executive Director
Initiatives
Research
Published in 2020, the CAA's Survey of the Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth[14] identified that Commonwealth Countries are forecast to account for nearly 50% of the projected growth in towns and cities over the next 30 years. The survey also revealed a critical lack of capacity in many of the Commonwealth countries which are urbanising most rapidly and are among the most vulnerable to climate change.
Accreditation of Commonwealth Architecture Schools
One of the principal initiatives of the CAA is to provide guidelines on development of architecture schools, including a validation system for architecture courses. It has focused on ensuring schools of architecture include The Habitat Agenda and principles of environmentally sustainable design to be part of every syllabus for courses validated in the Commonwealth.[4] In 2012 the UK's Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) ceased (after many decades) to recognise CAA accreditation of Commonwealth architecture schools, after the CAA refused to grant 'significant' RIBA representation on its accreditation panels to inspect schools first-hand. At the time CAA validated 41 colleges, though only visited 15 of them beforehand.[15]
Awards Programme
The CAA runs an awards programme held at its general assembly once every two years, with a focus on recognising the work of architects and students that engage with contemporary challenges such as climate change and rapid urbanisation together with associated increases in vulnerability, inequality, and biodiversity loss. The awards celebrate individuals who have made a demonstrable contribution to addressing such issues and contributes to delivery of the United NationsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[16]
The awards programme is comprised of:
The Lifetime Achievement Award (Robert Matthew Award) - Awarded to an individual or architectural practice in recognition of innovative contributions to the development of architecture in the Commonwealth.[17]
The Environmental Impact Award - Recognises work in any sector which can demonstrate achievement of a significant positive environmental impact in areas such as circular economy, energy and carbon, water, ecology and biodiversity and/or connectivity and transport.[17]
The Social Impact Award - Recognises work in any sector which can demonstrate having achieved significant positive social impact in areas such as affordability, community development, health and well-being, and social value.[17]
The President's Award - Recognises work of a student in Years 4, 5 & 6 which critically and creatively addresses issues associated with social, economic and environmental well-being in the context of the current climate emergency.[18]
The Student Award - Recognises the work of a student in Years 1, 2 & 3 which creatively addresses issues associated with social, economic, and environmental well-being in the context of the current climate emergency.[18]
Lifetime Achievement Award (Robert Matthew Award)
First awarded in 1983, the CAA Lifetime Achievement Award, also known as Robert Matthew Award was established to recognise innovative contributions to the development of architecture in the Commonwealth context and commemorates the legacy of the fist President of the CAA, Sir Robert Hogg Matthew.[19]
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