Memo to Members – Wednesday 19 October, from Simon Allford, RIBA President

Afternoon all.

Last Thursday marked one of the most anticipated dates in the architectural calendar as we held the 2022 RIBA Stirling Prize Party at 66 Portland Place. It was a spectacular evening filled with great company, entertainment, and exciting announcements – which we broadcast via a livestream on our website for the very first time. At the ceremony we looked to the past, paying tribute to RIBA Past President – Marco Goldshmied – recognising his profound contribution to the sector and the RIBA Awards programme. And we also looked to the future - I was delighted to announce the winner of the 26th RIBA Stirling Prize - The New Library, Magdalene College in Cambridge by Níall McLaughlin Architects. Creating a new building that will stand the test of time is a significant challenge, but one that Níall McLaughlin Architects has risen to with the utmost skill, care and responsibility - my congratulations once again to Níall and his team.

On Thursday evening, we also celebrated the winners of our Special Awards. This year's Stephen Lawrence Prize went to The Hackney School of Food by Surman Weston; Neave Brown Award for Housing to Hackney New Primary School and 333 Kingsland Road by Henley Halebrown and Client of the Year to Thornsett Group and the Benyon Estate for the jointly commissioned Hackney New Primary School and 333 Kingsland Road. With all three awards going to projects in the east London borough of Hackney - clients and the council here have clearly prioritised transformation, regeneration, and good community architecture. Well done to all involved.

Of course, we also held our annual People’s Vote – inviting the public to pick their favourite building on the shortlist. The winner of the People’s Vote this year was Hackney New Primary School and 333 Kingsland Road by Henley Halebrown - congratulations! I’d like to extend my utmost gratitude and thanks to the nominees, jury, and everyone involved in making this year’s awards celebration so memorable.

Now – for a quick note on some of our policy work. Last week we responded to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation on implementing the new building control regime for higher-risk buildings and wider changes to the building regulations for all buildings. Our response aims to bolster the policy aims of the Government and ensure the recommendations of Dame Judith Hackitt effect real change within the construction industry, both at a regulatory and behavioural level. Read our full response here. We have also been closely following the Government’s fiscal announcements – responding both to the announcement that the rise to corporation tax will go ahead and also to the Chancellor’s commitment to incentivise energy efficiency improvements. We will continue to monitor the Government’s economic plans and assess their impact on the sector.

As you will be aware, ARB has been given new powers to monitor the training and development architects carry out throughout their careers. ARB are currently consulting on the scheme before it is finalised and introduced. Draft guidance has been published, so that architects can review the requirements and understand what will be asked of them. We urge you to respond to the consultation and if you have any questions, you can join a live Q&A session at midday on Wednesday 26 October. Please register here if interested.

Once again, many congratulations to Stirling winners and everyone for a wonderful, celebratory evening.

More from me on 31 October.

Best,

Simon