Archinect - News

New RIBA manifesto urges lawmakers' action for better practices in the built environment

2023-10-04T16:54:00-04:00

A new "Manifesto for a Better Built Environment" has been published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), calling on the country’s policymakers to make more urgent priority of the need for better safety, quality, and sustainability in the design and construction of buildings throughout the UK.

The publication was made in advance of the country’s political party conference season, saying that improved regulations, job training, and environmental standards are needed to help boost the national housing stock and achieve other benchmarks governing the whole-life carbon footprint of construction projects and retention of highly-qualified staff in local planning offices.

New RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: "Well-designed buildings and places enrich our lives, positively impact the environment, and strengthen our communities. Our manifesto highlights the need for conscious and concerted policy action to deliver a built environment that meets peoples’ needs, both now and in t...

Citing equity concerns, NCARB nixes its rolling clock policy for the ARE 5.0 and above

2023-02-23T19:24:00-05:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has just announced a milestone change to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) process that will affect the ARE 5.0 and any subsequent versions to follow.

The organization says it will now do away with its five-year Rolling Clock Policy governing the length of time it takes to successfully pass each division of the exam and register as a professional architect in the United States. The change will go into place effective May 1st.

The decision was purportedly the result of an analysis that showed disparities of race and gender under the current policy in addition to a marked increase in candidates' competency where that policy was not in place, to begin with.

Previously on Archinect: Tell us your experience: Challenges on the path to architectural licensure

“This research-backed decision to eliminate the rolling clock policy was unanimously supported by the Board of Directors and the new score validity policy ...

UK ends EU licensure reciprocity with new Architects Act 1997 amendments

2023-01-23T15:03:00-05:00

A pair of unprecedented changes to the UK’s Architects Act 1997 has been announced jointly by the British Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Architects Registration Board (ARB), ending the reciprocal acceptance of qualifications for EU-trained architects that has been observed since it was first established by Parliament.

Under the new guidelines, the UK will “end, in law, the automatic recognition of architectural qualifications listed in the EU’s Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications.” It will also enable the ARB to enter into “regular-led” recognition agreements with international counterparts, in effect leaving the door open for reciprocity agreements to be negotiated with professional bodies from other individual countries on a case-by-case basis.

This comes after the ARB finally hammered out a deal last year with the American National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to ratify a Mutual Recognition Agreement that...

US Federal Reserve to weigh climate change risks in making financial policies

2019-11-14T18:54:00-05:00

The U.S. central bank signaled on Friday it may be getting ready to join international peers in incorporating climate change risk into its assessments of financial stability, and may even take it into account when setting monetary policy.

Despite the Trump administration's unabashed rejection of climate science, the United States Federal Reserve is moving in the opposite direction.

The shift could impact how America's central bank assesses financial metrics like interest rates and how entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac make decisions regarding which mortgages to acquire.

After Seattle's “Amazon Tax” failed, California cities pick up on their own big-business tax initiatives for affordable housing

2018-07-25T15:37:00-04:00

Last week, a coalition of homelessness advocates, non-profits, and tenant groups in San Francisco secured an initiative for November’s ballot that, if passed, would almost double the city’s spending on homeless shelters using an increased gross receipts tax. [...] This news comes just weeks after Seattle—home to companies like Amazon and Starbucks, along with the third-largest homeless population in the country—capitulated on a similar plan.

After the swift defeat of Seattle's “Amazon Tax”, big tech cities in California like San Francisco and Mountain View are working on similar initiatives that charge higher taxes on large companies to raise more money for affordable housing. Despite some skepticism, these initiatives might have a better chance of passing in California.

The future of Canadian architecture relies on a national policy

2018-01-08T16:37:00-05:00

An architecture policy sets an aspirational goal for what we value about the built environment, and helps create a framework for that contribution to culture. The Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ) is actively consulting with the government on the establishment of a provincial architecture policy. This is a positive move and shows leadership in the preservation of Canadian culture. It is an example that our federal government should follow.

Canadian architecture needs the support of a national policy in order to survive the global competition. Canada's architecture must be seen under the umbrella of cultural policies that support local arts, culture, and businesses. As it stands, the country has no architectural policy to speak of. This leaves its firms vulnerable to larger international competition and its building susceptible to accreditation by non-Canadian architects.

An architectural policy can be found in most European countries and helps to support its local firms. Currently, Canada's local partners have limited involvement, especially in larger projects, due to stigmas of international firms having more design talent. When interviewed Frank Gehry said, "Canada had not offered the well supported educational institutions, the critical mass of creative people to produce radical new ideas, or the consumer markets for architecture to support more inventive practices."

LA's lessons in decriminalizing street vending

2017-06-27T20:18:00-04:00

The decision was a long time coming for both immigrant- and small-business advocates, who for decades had been pushing for legalization, but the presidential election was a clear galvanizing factor. In L.A., a sanctuary city, the majority of vendors are Central American immigrants who, if they’re undocumented, could face deportation for a misdemeanor charge under President Trump.

Los Angeles was the last of the 10 largest American cities to decriminalize vending in February of 2017. There are, however, still many questions to resolve—finer points of vending, such as how much control neighborhoods will have over local vendors, the cost of permits, and staff to enforce them, among other concerns, have still not been determined.

The city's previous attempts at regulating street vending have failed due to not just business interests or safety, but also anti-immigrant sentiment. Another issue that was often raised by some council members in the 90's was the potential of alienating brick-and-mortar business owners, who unlike vendors, have to pay rent. The zoning regulations that followed those concerns attempted restricting vending to a single district—like MacArthur Park, which ultimately failed the program due to inefficiency.
The hope is those examples from Los Angeles' history will help shape a successful street vending policy that in the future might guide o...

RIBA responds to Conservatives Manifesto

2017-05-19T05:49:00-04:00

"The Conservative Party’s manifesto outlines its vision to further empower communities. Whoever forms the next government should ensure that plans to build high quality housing and infrastructure are linked with industrial and devolution strategies to encourage more jobs and a better quality of life for people across the country."

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the publication of the Conservatives manifesto, published earlier today.

"The RIBA welcomes the Conservatives’ acknowledgment that the UK’s architects are the finest in the world. This is recognition of the vital role that good design has on improving quality of life, sustainability and social integration; and acknowledgement that architects are the design professionals that make this happen."

On Brexit:

“The RIBA has long been calling for the rights of non-UK EU nationals to be confirmed. I’m happy to see it is included in the Conservative manifesto. Skilled architects come to the UK from across the world, giving us the edge in creativity and innovation; we need to ensure this continues into the future.

“British architects have been clear about our key asks from Brexit through RIBA’s ‘Global By Design’ report. The RIBA will continue to be a strong voice for the sector in the coming weeks and months.”

On planning and co...

RIBA responds to Liberal Democrats Manifesto

2017-05-19T05:49:00-04:00

"I am pleased to see that the Liberal Democrats have recognized the key role of the built environment sector in tackling issues such as energy demand, climate change and urban flooding through their plans for infrastructure and housing. “Proposals for new housebuilding should be balanced with ambitions to deliver high quality, well designed and sustainable homes across the country.”

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the publication of the Liberal Democrats manifesto, published earlier today.

On Brexit:

“I warmly welcome the commitment from the Liberal Democrats to protect the rights of existing EU citizens in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU. Our members need to see this issue resolved as a matter of urgency. The party’s desire to open up access to university courses also chimes with RIBA’s target to achieve greater diversity in the architecture profession through apprenticeships, with varied and affordable new routes to qualification.”

On planning and communities:

“The promise to devolve powers around housing, transport and skills, backed with resources for infrastructure projects is a welcome step to help local communities create better places to live, work and play. Meaningful devolution opportunities in areas such as housing can help to boost skills in the construction sector across the country.

“The Liberal Democrats also wish...

5 housing experts offer opinions about Ben Carson's direction as HUD head

2016-12-06T14:09:00-05:00

What are the likely policy goals of a neurosurgeon appointed secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development by a man who can't stop disappointedly tweeting at Alec Baldwin? "There’s not a dearth of qualified Republicans for that job, so if you choose somebody with no background in housing, it says something about your priorities,” says Julia Gordon, executive vice president of the National Community Stabilization Trust, according to an article in NextCity. Various other housing experts, including Barbara Sard and Benjamin Dulchin, voiced concern about the man with no actual federal housing experience, although former HUD official Maurice Jones was cautiously optimistic, saying that "whatever agenda or whatever priority they have, I look forward to learning what that is." The article goes on to note that:

"a Washington Times op-ed by Ben Carson published in July 2015 indicates that he either does not understand or does not support the AFFH rule [Affirmatively Furtherin...

Why cities need to expand their idea of who is a "local"

2016-08-10T15:10:00-04:00

Part of the challenge throughout California and plenty of other communities...is that we tend to make local policy — and housing policy in particular — as if the only people who matter in a community are the ones who go to bed there at night. We don't think of people who work but don't "live" there, or who'd like to live there but can't afford to, or who once lived there but had to leave, or who could access better jobs if only they could move there, or who commute through there...

You may effectively live your life within, say, San Francisco or Washington, D.C., going to school there, working there, dropping your children at day care there, spending your money and your waking time there. But if, at the end of the day, you go sleep somewhere else, you are invisible to the process of how we decide what's right for that city.

Check out some related articles:

California lawmakers turn to "granny flats" to help ease housing shortage

2016-07-27T14:52:00-04:00

To help ease California’s housing crisis, Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers are turning to people’s backyards. Multiple bills with the endorsement of Brown are moving through the Legislature to make it easier for homeowners to build small units on their properties, whether in their garages, as additions to existing homes or as new, freestanding structures. [Mayor] Eric Garcetti and other supporters hope the relaxed rules will spur backyard home building to combat a housing shortage..

For more on Los Angeles' major housing crisis, check out these links:

NYC becomes first city to provide free tampons and pads in public schools, prisons, and shelters

2016-06-23T14:19:00-04:00

Today, the New York City Council unanimously passed a set of bills requiring free menstrual-hygiene products in public schools, prisons, and shelters, making it the first city in the nation to pass so-called "menstrual equity" legislation. The city will budget for tampons and pads just like it does for toilet paper and hand soap.

"Tampons and pads are not currently covered by public-assistance programs and some school-aged girls stay home or use products longer than they should when they get their periods. Women in prisons face rationing and degrading treatment from corrections officers."

For more public health-related news, check out these links:

LAPD directs officers to treat homeless people “with compassion” in new vague policy

2016-06-22T14:22:00-04:00

The Los Angeles Police Commission approved a new policy directing LAPD officers to treat homeless people with “compassion and empathy.” The policy was meant to be a broad statement – a “philosophy more than it is the nuts and bolts,” [Cmdr Todd] Chamberlain recently told police commissioners. More specifics will come in future directives, he added. But the new statement [unsurprisingly] was met with some skepticism from homeless advocates.

“Gary Blasi, a retired UCLA law professor who studies homelessness, said it would take more than a policy to improve interactions between officers and those living on the city’s streets. To do that, he said, the city should limit laws that unfairly criminalize situations involving homeless people — ‘so that the police are not involved in the first place.’”

More about homelessness in LA on Archinect:

LA's homeless population has increased by 11% in a single year

Homes of the homeless, seized: L.A. cracks down on free housing

To each their own home: A peek into the “HOME(less)” exhibition at USC

Los Angeles approves plans to tackle homelessness crisis, but funding is still unclear

Google, Uber, Lyft, Ford and Volvo join forces to lobby for autonomous vehicles

2016-04-28T12:51:00-04:00

Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets, a lobbying group with the express purpose of advocating autonomous driving. [...] "Self-driving vehicle technology will make America's roadways safer and less congested," [David Strickland, a former administrator of the NHTSA] said [...] "The best path for this innovation is to have one clear set of federal standards, and the Coalition will work with policymakers to find the right solutions that will facilitate the deployment of self-driving vehicles."

Lyft has also been in talks with General Motors (which is not a part of the Self-Driving Coalition) to put out its own group of autonomous for-hire vehicles. Models for Google's vehicles include both bespoke prototypes and Lexus SUVs, and Uber is developing its own testing grounds for self-driving cars in Pittsburgh.

Related on Archinect:

Starchitect-Designed Public Projects Are Often Long Delayed and Way Over Budget

2016-03-01T17:15:00-05:00

Last week Port Authority decided not to hold an opening ceremony for Santiago Calatrava’s World Trade Center Transportation Hub (followed by their sudden flip flop), citing the fact that it was six years delayed and that final construction costs came in around $4 billion in taxpayer dollars, twice what was projected. But it’s hardly the only public project to face delays and skyrocketing costs. In fact, it’s not even close to being the worst of the lot that are draining tax payer dollars.

SF gentrification doesn't have to be bad

2014-01-24T13:56:00-05:00

San Francisco is practically the reductio ad absurdum of gentrification: It’s already land limited on three sides by water, and the massive rise of the tech industry over the last few decades has dramatically increased both the population of the area and its wealth. [...] But the blame shouldn’t go to the tech companies or their employees moving to San Francisco, however despicable some might be. Blame San Francisco for being pleasant, and its policymakers for being foolish

"Graphing Parking" charts out of whack U.S. minimum parking regulations

2013-08-28T13:38:00-04:00

Reforming parking policy is an urgent imperative which could have significant positive effects on the natural environment, our cities, the economy, and our society. For many issues, from affordable housing to carbon emissions, it is an obvious solution that has remained hidden in plain sight for too long.

Architect Seth Goodman has taken it upon himself to expose how dramatically parking plays a role in planning, through a series of nifty infographics that show just how much parking space is allotted for a given institution or destination. Inspired by Donald Shoup's The High Cost of Free Parking as a student at Rice University, Goodman has created five different charts comparing a city’s minimal parking space regulations to the square footage of the institution that the parking accommodates, such as a restaurant or office space. The results show an amazing inconsistency regarding how much space is devoted to parking across different cities.

In the above graphic, pitting “Worship Space vs. Parking Space”, the national average for a worship space (6,000 ft2) is compared to the square footage devoted to parking at said space of worship. Fresno, California clocks in at 32,500 ft2 of parking for an average worship space, whereas San Francisco has only a tenth of that, at 3,250. Ke...