Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland

Last updated

Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
AbbreviationRIAI
Formation1839
TypeProfessional body
Legal statusPrivate company limited by guarantee and registered charity
PurposeThe architectural profession in the Republic of Ireland and the Register of Architects
Headquarters8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Location
  • Republic of Ireland
Region served
Republic of Ireland
Website www.RIAI.ie

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) (Irish : Institiúid Ríoga Ailtirí na hÉireann) founded in 1839, [1] is the "competent authority for architects and professional body for Architecture in the Republic of Ireland."

Contents

The RIAI's purpose is "to uphold the highest standards in architecture and to provide impartial and authoritative advice and information in issues affecting architects, the built environment and society." The RIAI's primary roles are in the areas of: Protecting the consumer; Promoting architecture; Supporting architects and architectural technologists; and Regulating architects. [2] The institute is governed by a 26-member council.

Activities

Brass plaque at RIAI headquarters Plaque of the Royal Institute of architects of Ireland.jpg
Brass plaque at RIAI headquarters

In addition to providing a range of services to the public, to members and to the State, the RIAI operates annual design awards, and is responsible for awarding the RIAI Gold Medal. [3] This prize is awarded every three years to the best building completed in a given three-year period. The RIAI also awards the James Gandon Medal for 'lifetime achievement' in architecture. The inaugural award was made to Dr. Ronald Tallon of Scott Tallon Walker on 23 November 2010 by Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Mary Hanafin, TD. [4]

In addition, the RIAI is involved in architectural education and organises an annual student competition, The RIAI Student Excellence award (formerly the RIAI Travelling Scholarship) supported by Scott Tallon Walker Architects. The competition is open to final year students at the seven schools of architecture on the island of Ireland.[ citation needed ] They also award other prizes, such as the Deirdre O'Connor Medal which is awarded to the candidate with the best results in the Examination in Professional Practice. [5]

Membership

The RIAI operates three grades of membership relating architects or architectural graduates: Fellowship, Membership and Architectural Graduate. Members of the three ranks are entitled to use the affixes FRIAI (Fellows), MRIAI(Members) and RIAI (ArchTech) (Architectural Technologist).

Fellowship is awarded by the RIAI Council to existing Members according to specific rules.

Membership is the standard level for architects in the Republic of Ireland. It is open to those who have demonstrated competence to the level of the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Professional Practice as an architect. For those who have been deemed eligible for professional membership but who are not eligible to benefit from 'automatic' recognition under EU regulations the MRIAI(IRL) affix is used instead of MRIAI. [6]

Architectural Graduate membership is open to all graduates of recognised five-year architecture programmes. [7]

Criticism

The Competition Authority in Ireland has expressed concerns on what is perceived to be unjustified restrictions on competition within the architectural profession. At the same time, the Authority has expressed apprehension about proposed regulatory changes outlined in the Building Control Bill 2005, particularly regarding the level of influence granted to the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) in determining architectural qualifications. Specifically, the Authority feared that the proposed changes could create conflicts of interest, as the RIAI represented the majority of architects in Ireland while also having control over the rules designed to safeguard the public interest. In response to these concerns, the RIAI removed regulations that unnecessarily restricted advertising by architects in May 2004 and stopped publishing percentage fees in draft contracts in order to address the Authority's apprehensions. The aim of these actions were said to promote transparency and fairness within the profession while addressing the Competition Authority's concerns about undue influence and potential conflicts of interest.. [8] [9]

The RIAI has also been accused of misleading the public on legislative issues concerning the provision of architectural services and registration cost. [10] The RIAI is noted to often not inform the press and members of the public that it is not an offence[ clarification needed ] and that it is legal to propose architectural services without being registered with the RIAI. Many of the so-called "Non-registered architects" have denounced the regulator’s attitude consisting of undermining and criticising architectural services provided by professionals not registered with the RIAI. [11]

In 2010, a complaint was launched against the RIAI for an ad it labelled as a "public notice" in which non-RIAI professionals were compared to incompetent practitioners. [12] The Institute issued an apologiy on RTÉ and the advertising campaign was banned. [13]

Building Control Bill 2005

The Building Control Bill 2005 was introduced in Ireland to strengthen the powers of local Building Control Authorities in enforcing minimum building standards set by national regulations. [14] The key objectives of the bill were:

The bill was introduced alongside the Building Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 2005, which came into operation on July 1, 2006. These regulations provided for the introduction of a building energy performance assessment methodology for new dwellings, as required by the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. [16] The Building Control Bill 2005 was part of a broader effort to update and strengthen building control legislation in Ireland. Similar bills were introduced in Northern Ireland, such as the Building Regulations (Amendment) Bill (Northern Ireland) 2008, which sought to simplify the existing provisions of the primary legislation and propose amendments to reflect the importance of sustainability and environmental issues. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Williams (architect)</span> British architect

Keith Williams is a British architect and founder of London-based Keith Williams Architects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Institute of Architects</span> Professional association for architects

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach programs, and collaborates with other stakeholders in the design and construction industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Institution of Engineers of Ireland</span>

The Institution of Engineers of Ireland or the IEI, is the second oldest Engineering Society on the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, and was established in 1835. The institution primarily represents members based in Ireland.

The Attorney General of Ireland is a constitutional officer who is the legal adviser to the Government and is therefore the chief law officer of the State. The attorney general is not a member of the Government but does participate in cabinet meetings when invited and attends government meetings. The current attorney general is Rossa Fanning, SC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Leyden</span> Irish former Fianna Fáil politician (b. 1945)

Terry Leyden is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Senator from September 2002 to March 2020, and previously during December 1992. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1977 to 1992, and as a Minister of State from March to December 1982, and from 1987 to 1992.

The architectural technologist, also known as a building technologist, provides technical building design services and is trained in architectural technology, building technical design and construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Building engineer</span> Construction profession

A building engineer is recognised as being expert in the use of technology for the design, construction, assessment and maintenance of the built environment. Commercial Building Engineers are concerned with the planning, design, construction, operation, renovation, and maintenance of buildings, as well as with their impacts on the surrounding environment.

Scott Tallon Walker is an architecture practice with its head office in Dublin, Ireland and further offices in London, Galway and Cork. It is one of the largest architecture practices in Ireland. Established in 1931 as Scott and Good, becoming Michael Scott Architect in 1938, and Michael Scott and Partners in 1957 before changing to the current Scott Tallon Walker in 1975. Scott Tallon Walker and its earlier incarnations developed a reputation for modernism.

A chartered professional is a person who has gained a specific level of skill or competence in a particular field of work, which has been recognised by the award of a formal credential by a relevant professional organization. Chartered status is considered a mark of professional competency, and is awarded mainly by chartered professional bodies and learned societies. Common in Britain, it is also used in Ireland, the United States and the Commonwealth, and has been adopted by organizations around the world.

Professional requirements for architects vary from place to place, but usually consist of three elements: a university degree or advanced education, a period of internship or training in an office, and examination for registration with a jurisdiction.

In Ireland, the term city has somewhat differing meanings in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Heights</span> Residential tower block in Millwall, London

Phoenix Heights, also known as 4 Mastmaker Road, is a mixed tenure residential development in the Millwall area of London, near to South Quay DLR station and Canary Wharf. It forms a social housing commitment developed as part of the nearby Pan Peninsula project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architects' Alliance of Ireland</span> Irish architects advocacy group

The Architects' Alliance of Ireland (AAoI) (Irish: Ailtirí 'Comhaontas na hÉireann) is an Irish pressure group founded in 2009. Its purpose is to lobby for a change in recent legislation in Ireland.

Irish law allows firearm possession on may-issue basis. With approximately seven civilian firearms per 100 people, Ireland is the 107th most armed country in the world.

The Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) was formed in 1972 and is the professional body representing designers and design students from different disciplines who practice on the island of Ireland and abroad. The IDI is one of Ireland’s largest and oldest association of design professionals. The Institute is a membership-based not-for-profit organization.

Thomas Joseph Byrne was an English architect, and was principal architect to the Office of Public Works in Ireland who oversaw the restoration of a large number of public buildings in Dublin following the Easter Rising, the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War.

Valerie MulvinFRIAI is an Irish architect. She is a member of Aosdána, an elite Irish association of artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom de Paor</span> Irish architect (born 1967)

Tomás "Tom" de PaorFRIAI Int FRIBA is an Irish architect and member of Aosdána.

John TuomeyFRIAI FRIBA, Hon FAIA Hon RSUA is an Irish architect. He is a member of Aosdána, an elite Irish association of artists, and is best known for his work with his wife Sheila O'Donnell in the O'Donnell & Tuomey firm.

References

  1. ↑ Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (1989). Graby, John (ed.). 150 years of architecture in Ireland: RIAI, 1839-1989. RIAI. p. 46. ISBN   9780950462837.
  2. ↑ "Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI)". IHS. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  3. ↑ Melia, Paul (16 November 2012). "Bord Pleanala blocks demolition of Ireland's first skyscraper Liberty Hall". Irish Independent . Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "In short". The Irish Times. 24 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "The RIAI Welcomes New Members". RIAI.ie. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "RIAI Member and Register Admission Routes". RIAI. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "Architect – Entry requirements and training" . Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  8. ↑ "Competition in professional services: Architects" (PDF). Competition Authority of Ireland. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  9. ↑ Oireachtas Research & Library Service (23 April 2010). "The Grandfather Clause in the Building Regulation Act 2007" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Registration of Architects: Discussion". Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 25 March 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  11. ↑ Contributor, A. J. (26 February 2010). "Irish ad banned for implying unqualified architects are untrustworthy". The Architects’ Journal. Retrieved 15 March 2024.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  12. ↑ "The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland answers to complaint from Architects' Alliance of Ireland" (PDF). Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Irish ad ‘discriminates’ against unqualified architects", Architects' Journal, 26 February 2010 | By Merlin Fulcher
  14. ↑ O'Grady, Chris (22 March 2007). "Irish Building Control Institute Building Control Conference 2007" (PDF). www.ibci.ie.
  15. ↑ Oireachtas, Houses of the (14 February 2006). "Building Control Bill 2005: Second Stage. – Dáil Éireann (29th Dáil) – Tuesday, 14 Feb 2006 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  16. ↑ Book (eISB), electronic Irish Statute. "electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)". www.irishstatutebook.ie. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  17. ↑ https://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/io/research/2008/1308.pdf
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.