RIBA = Architectural Knowledge

A profession is not a profession without custody of a strong body of knowledge. We need to be bullish and clear about stating what the profession knows. This is why, as Frank Duffy argued that knowledge should be the foundation of the profession and the foundation of the RIBA. 

In a prescient but seemingly ignored Strategic Study of the RIBA dated 1995 its then president Frank Duffy observed: 'We believe that the future prosperity of the construction industry, in this country and abroad, will depend not only on architects becoming more closely integrated with the skills, interests and concerns of our colleagues but equally on a much more precise and realistic calculation of our own specific contribution to shared success' (Duffy, 1995, p. 3).

In short the delineation, development, preservation, and dissemination of Architectural Knowledge should be the key to the structure of the RIBA. This is right back there in the Charter and in the development of the organisation as a Learned Society. If the RIBA equals Architectural Knowledge in the UK context then its structure, I suggest, should be about nurturing that knowledge:

• Development (horizon spotting, strategy, knowledge management, consultations, policy, awards)
• Dissemination (PR, marketing)
• Outreach (exhibitions, schools, public engagement)
• Education (validation, CPD)
• Protection (chartered status, procurement, competitions, conduct, ethics, Intellectual Property, spin outs and copyright)
• Knowledge Community (membership, global network)
• Knowledge bank (library, website, member knowledge, institutional knowledge)

Only in this way can the RIBA achieve its full potential as a Learning Organisation enabling architects to move forward with confidence into a volatile world knowing what it is that they know and knowing the value of what they know.

Please vote for Flora Samuel as a National Member of RIBA Council.