Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (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."

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
Websitewww.RIAI.ie

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

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. 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

There are concerns about the RIAI having a monopoly on aspects of architecture in the Republic of Ireland. Procedures for registration are sometimes criticised as unfair and unaffordable.[8][9] The Competition Authority of Ireland had recommended the creation of an Architects Council of Ireland, to be independent of the RIAI, but the 2007 Act promoted the RIAI as the registration body, albeit with various safeguards.[10][11][12]

The lack of any meaningful challenge by the RIAI to the what is sometimes described as the antiquated Irish Planning and Building Control systems, which has allegedly allowed inherent inefficiencies and corruption to go unabated, thereby inadvertently contravening the institute's own stated goals of "Protecting the Consumer" and "Supporting architects". There is no public information available regarding the sanctioning of members that have contravened the RIAI Code of Practice, which might be said to undermine the institute's authority.[13]

The RIAI has been accused of misleading the public about legislative issues concerning the provision of architectural services and about registration cost.[14] The RIAI frequently omits to inform the press and members of the public that it is not an offence, and is legal, to propose architectural services without being registered with the RIAI. Many 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.[15][16] In 2010, the RIAI was found guilty of discrimination against non-RIAI professionals when the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland investigated a radio advertising campaign comparing non-RIAI professionals to incompetent practitioners.[17][18] The Institute had to apologise on RTÉ and the advertising campaign was banned.[19]

See also

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. "Architects draw the line at new register". Irish Independent. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  9. "Call for 'grandfather clause' in legislation for architects' register". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  10. "Competition in professional services: Architects" (PDF). Competition Authority of Ireland. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 June 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  11. McEnaney, Tom (8 March 2006). "New body 'should regulate architects'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  12. 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.
  13. Oireachtas, Houses of the (14 July 2022). "Find a Debate – Houses of the Oireachtas". oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  14. "Registration of Architects: Discussion". Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. 18 May 2010. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  15. "Adverts for architects' register 'misleading'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  16. AJ (26 February 2010). "Irish ad banned for implying unqualified architects are untrustworthy". The Architects' Journal. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  17. "Adverts for architects' register 'misleading'". The Irish Times. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  18. "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.
  19. AJ (26 February 2010). "Irish ad banned for implying unqualified architects are untrustworthy". The Architects' Journal. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
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