#Award in Environmental Sustainable Monitoring at Workplace

[safetycourses2022]

[newintern]

How can businesses optimize the advantages of ESG?

As one of the leading Sustainability Awards, Companies that have embraced the triple bottom line of growth, profit, and sustainability have witnessed a remarkable 2% surge in total shareholder return, outperforming those that solely focused on financial indicators. This underscores the potential for significant financial growth through ESG optimization. A comprehensive study by the McKinsey Institute revealed that businesses that strategically incorporated ESG initiatives gained a competitive edge over their rivals. This underscores the urgency and importance of maximizing the advantages of ESG incorporation to make your firm stand out in the market. The McKinsey Institute released research on how companies may maximize the advantages of incorporating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) into their work plans and priorities. Sector executives need to monitor ESG projects from the sidelines better.

We are an ESG Awards, their growth and profitability plans incorporate these ESG initiatives as well. ESG measures for businesses include developing decarbonization plans and employing recyclable materials to let workers work from home. More precisely, a corporation that relies on coal can switch to materials that keep up with the energy change. This can enhance brand perception while lowering the possibility of legal and regulatory actions. The business will be able to support a more secure and welcoming workplace if it continues to cooperate with local communities and indigenous people. ESG initiatives don't have to be limited to internal operations; they can also involve clients and customers who may have legislative requirements or preferences connected to ESG. For example, by utilizing technology for innovation and digitization, a logistics provider can assist its clients in lowering the carbon footprint in their supply chain.

To assist you as Sustainability Award, utilizing this cutting-edge technology may increase a company's consumer appeal and boost revenue because of improved manufacturing and service delivery efficiency. While it may take some time for businesses to realize results from their ESG-related initiatives, being open and honest in your ESG reporting could hasten this process. This will make it possible for regulatory organizations to recognize you more often. Consumers who commit to leading healthier and more sustainable lives may also show a greater interest in items that consider sustainability. Transparent ESG reporting also makes it more appealing for investors to select a particular company over others, particularly when global financial and environmental crises alter the market.

In our understanding as ESG Award, Other companies may notice and follow suit. It is insufficient to have ESG programs and activities merely; management must be able to articulate them in a strategic plan that outlines roles and responsibilities, performance metrics, and objectives. These plans should also thoroughly examine the long-term resource allocation for these projects. Growth, profit, and sustainability trends are constantly shifting, but there is still a clear need for these actions. Whatever their sector, businesses should invest in inclusive and sustainable growth for the good of the country and not just their bottom line. Businesses pursuing ESG accreditation are assessed using a broad range of Environmental, Social, and Governance factors. Environmental considerations evaluate environmental effects, including biodiversity and carbon emissions.

Being a Sustainability Awards, the way a business handles its interactions with its suppliers, workers, and the communities in which it operates is examined by social aspects. The quality of a company's CEO salaries, shareholder rights, and management structures are all measured by governance’s possibilities and challenges vary across industries. Therefore, ESG certification must be both rigorous enough to guarantee high standards everywhere and flexible enough to account for these subtleties is no longer just a moral obligation, but a strategic and financial necessity. At Corp Stage, our mission is to guide businesses in leveraging ESG-based certification and strategies to thrive in an increasingly competitive and interconnected economy. This underscores the gravity and inevitability of ESG certification as a business requirement.

[solar4goodofficial]

Empowering Tomorrow's Transportation: The Best Smart EV Chargers in the UK

In the age of eco-consciousness and technological advancement, the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is surging worldwide, driven by the need for sustainable transportation solutions. As EV ownership continues to grow, the demand for efficient and intelligent EV charging solutions is also on the rise. In the UK, where sustainability is a key focus, the quest for the best smart EV chargers is paramount. In this article, we explore the top contenders in the UK market and delve into why Solar4Good UK Ltd stands out as a leading provider in this domain.

Solar4Good are committed to do solar installation and make energy accessible and affordable to everyone. We are award-winning solar panel installers in UK and provide services to homes and businesses.

Best Smart EV Chargers in the UK: Solar4Good UK Ltd's Innovative Solutions

Solar4Good UK Ltd is at the forefront of revolutionizing the EV charging landscape in the UK with its range of smart EV chargers. These chargers are designed to offer unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and sustainability, catering to the needs of both residential and commercial EV owners.

Key Features of Solar4Good UK Ltd's Smart EV Chargers:

Smart Connectivity: Solar4Good UK Ltd's EV chargers are equipped with advanced connectivity features, allowing users to monitor and control the charging process remotely via smartphone apps or online platforms. This ensures optimal charging efficiency and convenience for EV owners.

Intelligent Charging: Solar4Good UK Ltd's smart EV chargers are equipped with intelligent charging algorithms that optimize charging speed and energy usage based on factors such as electricity tariffs, grid demand, and renewable energy availability. This not only ensures faster charging times but also minimizes energy costs and environmental impact.

Compatibility: Solar4Good UK Ltd's smart EV chargers are compatible with a wide range of EV models, making them suitable for use in diverse settings, including residential homes, workplaces, and public charging stations.

Safety and Reliability: Solar4Good UK Ltd prioritizes safety and reliability in its EV chargers, incorporating features such as built-in surge protection, overcurrent protection, and temperature monitoring to safeguard both the EV and the charging infrastructure.

Why Choose Solar4Good UK Ltd for Smart EV Chargers?

Solar4Good UK Ltd stands out as a trusted provider of smart EV chargers in the UK market due to its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability. With a focus on customer satisfaction and environmental stewardship, Solar4Good UK Ltd offers EV owners a seamless charging experience while contributing to the UK's transition to a low-carbon transportation future.

Get more - best smart ev charger uk

Conclusion

As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to soar, the demand for smart EV chargers in the UK is poised for rapid growth. Solar4Good UK Ltd's innovative solutions not only meet this demand but also set new standards for efficiency, convenience, and sustainability in EV charging technology. By choosing Solar4Good UK Ltd's smart EV chargers, consumers and businesses can take a significant step towards greener and more sustainable transportation solutions while enjoying the benefits of cutting-edge charging technology

[nypaenergy]

New York Power Authority’s Response to the Coronavirus Epidemic

Over the past few months, and even more diligently the past few weeks, the New York Power Authority has been following New York State’s lead in the fight against the COVID-19 virus. A COVID-19 Task Force was established in January, with NYPA’s Incident Command System (ICS) put in place shortly after, where the team has been monitoring ongoing developments with the pandemic in the context of our workforce and business continuity strategy. In a series of weekly video messages to staff, NYPA President & CEO Gil C. Quiniones noted that NYPA’s priority – first and foremost – is the safety and well-being of its workforce.

In a statement provided to TransmissionHub on March 19, NYPA said they are “using its Incident Command structure to manage operations and communications in light of the COVID-19 virus. The multidisciplinary team is regularly communicating important health and safety information to all employees.”

NYPA has engaged in a series of measures to ensure the health and safety of all of our staff. Some of the practices implemented include an awareness campaign for employees prior to the work-from-home order, weekly updates from our CEO, postponing all nonessential programs and activities, and limited the number of essential personnel at our facilities and screening essential staff for temperature and symptoms of illness.

A March 24 article from Wired accurately stated, “control rooms are the brains of NYPA’s power plants, which are mostly hydroelectric and supply about a quarter of all the electricity in New York State”.

Recently, we’ve decided to sequester around 85 control room workers and other essential employees at all of our facilities across the State to ensure the lights stay on. This unprecedented step in this growing health crisis in New York City and across the country reflects NYPA’s importance to the state’s electric system.

In a Politico article, CEO Quiniones likened the control room workers to those in a different field. “These operators are like pilots or air traffic controllers. They’re very, very important”. Similarly echoed in the Wall Street Journal, “Nothing else is going to work if the power isn’t there. Not hospitals, not ventilators – nothing is going to work. So, we have to be sure we do our part”. Though the Power Authority has sequestered employees in the past during severe weather events, this policy has never been implemented at all of our facilities simultaneously.

Not only is NYPA committed to the health and safety of all of our employees, we’re also committed to supporting our economic development customers during this challenging time.

At a recent Trustees meeting, the board approved a plan to provide fiscal relief to our economic development power customers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  NYPA Chairman John Koelmel said, “NYPA’s low-cost hydropower is the lifeblood for hundreds of businesses across the state, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. It’s critical that we ensure the benefits of our support are sustained during this devastating pandemic.”

To further support power system resiliency, New York State utilities have enacted mutual aid agreements to provide necessary support to one another through September 2020. NYPA has initiated talks with New York’s private generators to enter into a pact to keep critical power plants staffed and fueled as the coronavirus pandemic evolves. We’ve also signed an agreement with Hydro Québec, committing to provide mutual assistance to guarantee continuous power supply in both Québec and New York State, given New York and Québec’s long history of working together in the power sector. That agreement will remain in effect until the end of September 2020.

Despite employee sequestration and ensuring our staff is healthy and safe, NYPA has still been able to announce some positive projects over the past several weeks. We’ve worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA and other partners to provide $24M from Volkswagen’s diesel-emissions settlement funds in order to help local bus companies replace diesel-powered vehicles with new battery-electric buses.

NYPA was also the proud recipient of the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2019. “The New York Power Authority takes pride in its high workplace standards and overall safety record.” said Quiniones. “Having a pronounced safety culture is its own reward, but we are proud and thankful for this APPA recognition.”

We were able to announce the doubling of solar power output at New York State Parks, helping to advance the goals of Governor Cuomo’s Restore Mother Nature Environment Bond proposal. Four projects will be built at State Parks in the Hudson Valley and Long Island, helping to increase use of renewable energy across state properties, make the parks system more sustainable and energy efficient, and support NY’s clean energy goals.

Some more great news coming out of New York State’s FY 2020-2021 state budget – public authorities and agencies, including NYPA, the NYS Department of State, NYSERDA, the NYS Department of Public Service, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Empire State Development Corporation, have announced the passage of the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act. This legislation will dramatically speed up the siting and construction of clean energy projects to combat climate change and help jumpstart New York’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 health crisis.

Though we are in the midst of very uncertain times, there are still rays of hope proving the future will be bright.

[kijasimna-blog]

real estate management bronx

real estate management brooklyn

Langsam Property Services Corp. Necessities generally embrace completing a bachelor's degree with a curriculum in accounting and passing the CPA (Licensed Public Accountant) exam.Financial ManagementExperience managing, organizing, and monitoring the financial assets of a corporation.Financial ModelingExperience or data of performing numerous types of monetary modeling.GAAPKnowledge of the enterprise and corporate accounting requirements related to financial reporting as mandated by the Securities and Change Fee (SEC).Monetary Report WritingExperience amassing, analyzing, and compiling monetary information in a report for internal or external stakeholders.Bachelor's DegreeDegree awarded to college students by universities or schools on the completion of an undergraduate, post-high school course of study.

Along with actual estate, these grad applications also may place emphasis on entrepreneurship and the development of sustainable practices in construction and growth, asset management, revenue analysis, environmental forecasting, real property market research, public-personal partnerships and global growth.

For property managers accountable for extra units, TenantCloud is still very moderately priced: $9 per thirty days for as much as 150 items, and $35 for as much as 500. Our group of property operations consultants work to make sure the security, comfort and satisfaction of your tenants, providing a personalized strategy designed to maximise return on funding and align with your targets.

The portfolio is very concentrated in two asset lessons, workplace - in the nation's leading city market: New York City - and Manhattan street retail. The buildings include luxury pre-struggle residential properties, all of which are presently undergoing varied forms of construction that includes assembly Local Regulation 11 codes.

We've got a 24-hour assist line for the tenants in all properties below our administration. Many have hypothesized that the reason is that the landlords won't act unless town forces them to. While demonizing landlords is at all times fun (particularly for those who lease in NYC), it's merely not the case.

[stoweboyd]

Work Futures Daily - Work, Work, Work

Stress, surveillance, and a shorter life: all in a day's work?

2018-04-05 Beacon NY - I enjoyed this story on Wardrobe.nyc, an atelier that has taken the notion of a business uniform to a new extreme, one that Jason Gay finds quite appealing after trying it out for a week.

Among other comments, he found the starkly black-and-white eight-piece collection empowering, both in its brutalist paring down of choice, and how it makes the wearer feel:

When I put on any grouping of the eight-piece—the suit, the long coat, the hoodie, the trousers—I immediately felt like a more interesting person. Suddenly, I was a private art dealer. Or an in-demand architect. I resembled someone who had an opinion about hotels in Berlin and Spanish wine. I probably knew Bono.

But he wasn't a more interesting person, really, was he? Well, maybe a little, since adopting a uniform is a change in your ways, like selling your car andusing public transportation. An intentional simplification.

In the end, he sent back his new ensemble, both because of the expense — $3,000 for matched a coat, a blazer, pants, a hoodie, a knit sweater, a dress shirt, a T-shirt and trousers — and also because he chickened out on wearing some of the pieces to work: he's a sportswriter.

But he was ambivalent about sending it back:

But don’t get the wrong idea. I really grew to like it. I’ve never had a look (I went from postcollege slob to cargo-pants Dad very quickly), and here was a look. The sharp-shouldered long coat was a real stunner—people actually moved out of my way on the train when I wore it. Another favorite was the trousers, which were Chaplin-like baggy. I’d never buy pants like that in a million years, but they made it seem as if I had a developed sense of style, even though I don’t.

In the end, I did not become a tech mogul. I did not learn a lick of French. I didn’t even wake up later in the morning. But I did get a taste of where the uniform wearers are coming from—how a lack of choice can be liberating, how even the simplest style can be a statement. In my uniform, I felt like the future. But now my uniform is going back, and I’m returning to my old closet full of choices, colors and sizes, which suddenly feels very big—and very yesterday.

A great line: In my uniform, I felt like the future.

On Work Stress

Dylan Walsh interviewed Jeffrey Pfeffer, the author of Dying for a Paycheck, which we are supposed to take literally. He asserts it the fifth leading cause of death in the US.

Walsh: I was struck by the story of Robert Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, standing in front of 1,000 other CEOs and saying, “You are the cause of the health care crisis.”

Pfeffer: It’s true. He takes three points and puts them together. The first point, which is consistent with data reported by the World Economic Forum and other sources, is that an enormous percentage of the health care cost burden in the developed world, and in particular in the U.S., comes from chronic disease — things like diabetes and cardiovascular and circulatory disease. You begin with that premise: A large fraction — some estimates are 75 percent — of the disease burden in the U.S. is from chronic diseases.

Second, there is a tremendous amount of epidemiological literature that suggests that diabetes, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome — and many health-relevant individual behaviors such as overeating and underexercising and drug and alcohol abuse — come from stress.

And third, there is a large amount of data that suggests the biggest source of stress is the workplace. So that’s how Chapman can stand up and make the statement that CEOs are the cause of the health care crisis: You are the source of stress, stress causes chronic disease, and chronic disease is the biggest component of our ongoing and enormous health care costs.

I really click with this term social pollution, coined by Nuria Chinchilla:

Walsh: You reference professor Nuria Chinchilla [of IESE Business School], who describes this as social pollution. What does that mean?

Pfeffer: She has said that the real inconvenient truth is not just that there is environmental pollution, which there certainly is, but that there is also social pollution. The work hours that companies are demanding of their employees are causing the breakup of marriages, burdens on raising children, and general disruption to family life. And the family unit is an important source of social support.

You can see this in stories from my book — the GE guy who’s on the road all the time and never sees his kids until he finally decides to quit. So she coined the term “social pollution,” and I think it’s a wonderful term.

Companies should care about what they are doing to the social environment, not just the physical environment.

Pfeffer means it when he says, in essence, that companies are two-faced: they say they want to be sustainable but overwork their employees, they say they care about their employees but crow when the laminate costs by laying them off.

After a presentation to Stanford Alumni when he made this case — that social pollution is as bad for health as air pollution and cigarette smoking -- a lawyer approached him and said there would be lawsuits about this:

Walsh: On what grounds?

Pfeffer: In a way parallel to the lawsuits that were filed against tobacco companies. Some companies are killing their workers. People have been harmed. If I had to bet on how this will change, some company is going to get sued, some lawyer will win an enormous award, and that will open the floodgates.

Asked if he had changed his mind about anything after working on the book, he answered:

Yes, I changed my mind in the following way: It’s worse than I thought.

On Workplace Surveillance

Will AI tools in the hands of management lead to a Benthamite Panopticon, where all are watched all the time and nothing goes unlogged? An Economist piece pleads for humanism, but doesn't actually sound too hopeful:

Surveillance at work is nothing new. Factory workers have long clocked in and out; bosses can already see what idle workers do on their computers. But AI makes ubiquitous surveillance worthwhile, because every bit of data is potentially valuable. Few laws govern how data are collected at work, and many employees unguardedly consent to surveillance when they sign their employment contract. Where does all this lead?

[...]

Yet AI’s benefits will come with many potential drawbacks. Algorithms may not be free of the biases of their programmers. They can also have unintended consequences. The length of a commute may predict whether an employee will quit a job, but this focus may inadvertently harm poorer applicants. Older staff might work more slowly than younger ones and could risk losing their positions if all AI looks for is productivity.

And surveillance may feel Orwellian — a sensitive matter now that people have begun to question how much Facebook and other tech giants know about their private lives. Companies are starting to monitor how much time employees spend on breaks. Veriato, a software firm, goes so far as to track and log every keystroke employees make on their computers in order to gauge how committed they are to their company. Firms can use AI to sift through not just employees’ professional communications but their social-media profiles, too. The clue is in Slack’s name, which stands for “searchable log of all conversation and knowledge”.

[...]

Some people are better placed than others to stop employers going too far. If your skills are in demand, you are more likely to be able to resist than if you are easy to replace. Paid-by-the-hour workers in low-wage industries such as retailing will be especially vulnerable. That could fuel a resurgence of labour unions seeking to represent employees’ interests and to set norms. Even then, the choice in some jobs will be between being replaced by a robot or being treated like one.

[...]

The march of AI into the workplace calls for trade-offs between privacy and performance. A fairer, more productive workforce is a prize worth having, but not if it shackles and dehumanises employees. Striking a balance will require thought, a willingness for both employers and employees to adapt, and a strong dose of humanity.

On Innovating Innovation

Umair Haque uses Facebook as a cautionary tale about being truly innovative, and then spins into a manifesto for innovating innovation. Or, as I would spin it, adopting complex ethics that transcend cheap ideologies like 'maximizing sharehold value', 'to the victor go the spoils', or 'everyone for themselves'.

Yesterday, innovation meant technological innovation. But today, it means institutional and organizational innovation — ways to motivate, inspire, and coordinate human effort, ideas, and imagination that have greater, deeper, and truer human benefits.

[...]

How do we build organizations that can really create, sustain, and nurture human dignity, happiness, meaning, health, wisdom, truth, freedom? If you think that we have good answers to that question, take a hard look at the fractured, collapsing global order. Tomorrow’s breakthroughs won’t be what we think — glittering technologies. But new kinds of organizations and institutions that can use technologies to put human ideas, effort, and imagination to explosively, meaningfully, beneficial use.

[...]

Too much efficiency and productivity is now costing us prosperity, democracy, and stability — and so it’s time for us to develop models of how human beings can work, live, and play together that are centred on higher, truer, and nobler goals.

[...]

So. We need to innovate innovation. Are we up to the challenge? That is one of the great questions of this decade.

I wonder. We might have to have the Human Spring before we can tackle this challenge. In the meantime, innovation is a handmaiden to the established order, which, as Pfeffer points out in Dying for a Job, is killing us.

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Question or comment? (Can be private, or public: your choice. I occasionally publish public comments or questions.)

Follow me on Twitter.

More media, politics, and social commentary on stoweboyd.com, including bio.

[architectnews]

EDGE Stadium Amsterdam workplace design

EDGE Stadium Amsterdam workplace, Allianz Real Estate Netherlands Office Interior, Dutch Images

EDGE Stadium Amsterdam Offices

9 Dec 2020

EDGE Stadium Amsterdam – Forum Building

Interior Design: EDGE

Location: Amsterdam, North-Holland, The Netherlands

EDGE and Allianz partner to develop EDGE Stadium Amsterdam – a high-tech, future-proof workplace

• The redevelopment of the Forum Building will add 10,000 m2 to the existing 19,000 m2 of office space

• EDGE Stadium will be one of the highest performing assets in the Netherlands in terms of wellbeing, innovation and environmental standards

• The project will be delivered in Q4 2022 and will feature an extended atrium as well as a wooden hybrid top-up

image © Plomp

Amsterdam, 9th of December 2020 – The Forum building in Amsterdam will be redeveloped by EDGE through another partnership with Allianz Real Estate. It will be transformed into a premium, innovative and healthy office space in line with today’s tenant demands, while adding another 10,000 m2 to the existing 19,000 m2 of office space. EDGE Stadium will be located opposite EDGE Olympic Amsterdam and will represent another example of sustainable redevelopment in the EDGE portfolio.

An area with ambitious goals

EDGE Stadium, located in “The Olympic Area” in Amsterdam with easy access to and from the city centre, aims to offer its tenants and users the highest environmental and innovative standards to date in the market. In alignment with EDGE and Allianz Real Estate’s values around sustainability and wellbeing, EDGE Stadium is set to achieve BREEAM Excellent and WELL Core & Shell Gold certifications and will have a targeted reduced energy consumption of approximately 70%.

image © Plomp

In addition, it aims to become the first R2S (Ready2Services) two stars certified building in the Netherlands, a certificate that represents the smart connectivity of the building. EDGE Stadium plans to obtain the certificate by incorporating the latest in smart technology, including EDGE’s own platform – EDGE Next – to optimise the office building’s performance, and to make it smarter, healthier, and more sustainable.

The platform uses multiple sensors and data sources to not only gather information, but also to deliver valuable and actionable insights to enable buildings, companies and people to thrive. Tenants can also make use of a building app, which enables users to efficiently control basic features of their work environment, such as light and temperature. The incorporation of innovation and digitalization into the building is in line with Allianz Real Estate’s strong focus in these key areas, and reinforces an essential part of the firm’s investment strategy.

“The redevelopment of the Forum office, where we will introduce cutting-edge technologies into one of our existing buildings, exemplifies our innovative spirit and our approach to future-proofing our assets,” said Alexander Gebauer, CEO of Allianz Real Estate for Western Europe. “Active asset management is a key part of how we add value to properties on a long-term basis, particularly with regards to the latest environmental standards and innovative technologies. The EDGE Stadium building is no exception, and we are delighted to further build the relationship we have with our longtime partner EDGE.”

image © Plomp

New features for an ideal workspace

Built 20 years ago, the award-winning Forum building maintains a quality and appeal still largely compatible with today’s standards. As such, and in keeping with EDGE and Allianz Real Estate’s views on sustainability, many features of the existing building will be reused and upcycled. The 29.000 m2 redevelopment will include the latest features in smart technology and will meet the highest standards for sustainability.

The building’s existing atrium will also be extended by creating a wooden hybrid top-up, which will create a spacious area to integrate the EDGE Workspace concept on the ground floor. Furthermore, the redevelopment will include the incorporation of open spaces, biophilic design and a roof terrace. Tenants and users will be encouraged to meet, connect and move around the building throughout the large floorplates and attractive staircases. Using EDGE Next to monitor and optimize conditions and performance, EDGE Stadium will be a cutting-edge workplace that truly prioritizes health and well-being for all.

“We are delighted to be able to continue the cooperation between Allianz Real Estate and EDGE. It proves that a strategic portfolio approach aiming at highly sustainable, healthy and smart buildings is successful. EDGE Stadium will be our next generation smart redevelopment in which all the aspects from its neighbouring EDGE Olympic are improved. We are thereby able to provide tenants with the ideal working environment. “ – Coen van Oostrom, Founder & CEO of EDGE.

The world needs better buildings

About EDGE

EDGE puts the people and planet first when developing and redeveloping buildings for global companies. Our buildings are developed with the highest levels of sustainability using the best solutions offered by modern technology. EDGE continues to learn from the people who work in our buildings, ensuring the most healthy and productive work environments in today’s market.

About Allianz Real Estate

Allianz Real Estate is a PIMCO Company, comprising Allianz Real Estate GmbH and Allianz Real Estate of America and their subsidiaries and affiliates. It is the dedicated real estate investment manager within the Allianz Group and has grown to become the world’s largest investor in real estate. Allianz Real Estate develops and executes worldwide tailored portfolio and investment strategies on behalf of a range of global liability driven investors, creating long-term value for clients through direct as well as indirect investments and real estate financing.

The operational management of investments and assets is performed out of 19 offices in key gateway cities across 4 regions (West Europe, North & Central Europe, USA and Asia Pacific).

EDGE Stadium Amsterdam workplace designimages / information received 091220

Location: Amsterdam, North-Holland, The Netherlands, northern Europe

Amsterdam Building News

Major New Dutch Buildings

Amsterdam Architecture : links

Valley Towers in Amsterdam Valley Towers in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Architecture News

Architecture Walking Tours Amsterdam by e-architect

European HQ for Calvin Klein & Tommy Hilfiger Design: MVSA Architects image © MVSA Architects/Ronald Tilleman European HQ for Calvin Klein & Tommy Hilfiger Building

Restaurant Felix Design: i29 interior architects photograph : Ewout Huibers Restaurant Felix Interior

Amsterdam Architecture – contemporary building information

Dutch Architecture

Covid-19 Resources for Architectural Profession

How Buildings Can Reduce Health Burden of COVID-19

Buildings Can Reduce Health Burden of COVID-19

Architecture and Pandemics: Covid-19 Hermetic Verticalism

Architecture and Pandemics

Remote Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Remote Working

Comments / photos for the EDGE Stadium Amsterdam workplace design page welcome

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[safetycourses2022]

[dailynewswebsite]

From Space Force to Artemis: what Joe Biden presidency may mean in orbit and beyond

Mars 2020 Perseverance area mission launches from Kennedy Area Middle. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EE

Donald Trump set daring objectives for area exploration throughout his time in workplace – from crewed missions to the Moon and Mars to a Area Power. In contrast, his successor Joe Biden has been comparatively quiet on area coverage. So how is area exploration more likely to change going ahead?

It’s clear is that there will likely be change. NASA’s present chief, Jim Bridenstine, has already introduced he’s stepping down. And we all know that US human spaceflight coverage hardly ever survives a change in presidency.

That mentioned, the wonderful success of the crewed SpaceX launch to the Worldwide Area Station (ISS), nevertheless, means the industrial crew programme is more likely to hold working – taking the burden off NASA. Certainly, the primary operational flight of the Crew Dragon by industrial firm SpaceX is due for launch on November 14, with 4 astronauts sure for the ISS.

Throughout the Trump administration, NASA additionally dedicated to the return of astronauts to the Moon in 2024 below the Artemis program. That is due for its first check launch (uncrewed) subsequent 12 months with Artemis-1. This builds on the Constellation program which was carried out by Republican president George W Bush in 2005 however was subsequently cancelled by Democratic president Barack Obama on account of its excessive value and problem.

Artist’s idea of Artemis-1. NASA

The one substantial clue as to the route of a Biden presidency with regard to astronaut flights to the Moon will be present in a doc by the Democratic Social gathering entitled “Constructing a Stronger, Fairer Economic system”. In a single paragraph, the Democrats state that they “help NASA’s work to return Individuals to the Moon and transcend to Mars, taking the subsequent step in exploring our photo voltaic system.”

No element is obtainable on attainable timelines. However, with worldwide cooperation now a significant characteristic of the Artemis program, it could be troublesome for a fledgling Biden administration to unilaterally withdraw from the venture. For instance, Canada, the European Area Company and Japan are all formal companions within the building of the Lunar Gateway – a lunar orbiting outpost designed to help a number of expeditions to the floor.

The programme can be quickly advancing analysis, notably when it comes to constructing supplies, energy provides and meals manufacturing. Simply this week, the European Area Company awarded a contract to the British firm Metalysis to develop methods to concurrently extract oxygen and metals from lunar soil.

The Trump administration additionally pushed for a primary crewed mission to Mars within the 2030s – a way more troublesome process because of the distances concerned. The lengthy journey would put astronauts vulnerable to excessive radiation publicity and psychological difficulties. Different enormous challenges embody weight restrictions and communication occasions.

An unbiased report by the Science and Expertise Coverage Institute in 2019 said {that a} crewed Mars mission within the 2030s is presently infeasible. It’s unlikely Biden will attempt to resurrect this any time quickly.

One of many extra questionable implementations by the Trump administration was the formation of Area Power – a department of the armed pressured in area. The transfer highlights that the US views area as a possible conflict zone reasonably than a website of purely scientific enterprise. However US residents aren’t too impressed with the Area Power, mocking the brand and the uniforms. Certainly, the programme has public approval ranking of solely 31%.

So will or not it’s scrapped? The disbanding of a department of the armed forces has not been carried out within the US earlier than and there are doubtlessly many difficulties of reintegrating this again into the US Air Power. It’s due to this fact more likely to keep, probably with lowered focus.

A recent begin for NASA?

Can we count on something new? Biden has already pledged to signal government orders that can undo a lot of the Trump administration’s work – in the identical means that Trump undid most of Obama’s work.

The largest indication of change is Bridenstine stepping down. When he was appointed in 2018, it was one thing of a shock to the scientific group – he had no scientific {qualifications} and had beforehand indicated that he had doubts about local weather change (which he modified his thoughts about when accepting the function). But he has proved to be an in a position chief of NASA.

On stepping down, he mentioned he wished to let someone with a “shut relationship with the president” take over. Who this is likely to be remains to be a query, and can rely largely on the brand new president himself. Most heads of NASA have at the very least a level in engineering or physics and, prior to now, have headed an area centre. This makes Jody Singer (the director of Marshall Area Flight Middle), Mark Geyer (the director of Johnson Area Middle), or Dennis Andrucyk (the director of Goddard Area Flight Middle) potential candidates, in addition to the present deputy administrator James Morhard. The sphere is regarded as largely open, although.

Biden needs to deal with local weather change. Gage Skidmore/Flickr, CC BY-SA

Biden has made it clear that tackling the local weather emergency is a precedence. Whereas that is more likely to be centered on industrial air pollution limits and renewable power sources, it does recommend that area coverage could possibly be extra centered on Earth statement missions, such because the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite tv for pc) programme.

Doubtlessly we could possibly be extra satellites of this kind; monitoring oil spills, deforestation and carbon emissions. All of those potentialities are after all overshadowed by the monetary disaster brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And, given {that a} sustained supply of cash to help long-term tasks such because the Artemis program is significant to their success, it’s most likely a case of believing it after we see it.

Regardless of the adjustments will likely be, it appears probably that there could also be much less funding for area missions. However, regardless of that, many scientists will likely be respiration a sigh of aid on the prospect of not having to combat the type of anti-science tweets that now we have seen from Trump throughout his time in workplace on subjects starting from Covid-19 and vaccinations to local weather change.

The authors don’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or group that may profit from this text, and have disclosed no related affiliations past their tutorial appointment.

from Growth News https://growthnews.in/from-space-force-to-artemis-what-joe-biden-presidency-may-mean-in-orbit-and-beyond/ via https://growthnews.in

[csrgood]

Alkermes Releases Third Annual Corporate Responsibility Report

Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) today released its third annual Corporate Responsibility Report.  The report highlights the company’s corporate and social responsibility and environmental sustainability efforts, including recognition of the importance of continuing to increase the sophistication of monitoring and reporting on such efforts in the future.  An essential component to Alkermes’ long-standing commitment to responsibility is its dedication to contributing to a healthcare system in which cutting-edge science, innovative medical practice, and patient-focused advocacy come together to help address some of society’s most important public health challenges and, in turn, help build stronger communities.

“The idea that a corporation can play a profoundly positive role in society is central to our vision,” said Richard Pops, Chief Executive Officer at Alkermes. “Corporate social responsibility is intrinsic to our work and our focus on some of the most vexing and pressing public health issues of our time.  Our work not only impacts the patients receiving our medicines, but also their families, their friends, and their communities.”

The report reflects Alkermes’ efforts to operate strategically, sustainably, and responsibly, and includes details on the company’s COVID-19 pandemic response, including actions taken to protect the health and wellness of its workforce, while working to help assure that patients have uninterrupted access to its medicines. 

Other reported highlights of Alkermes’ environmental, social and governance activities include:

Combined energy use per employee decreased 7% in 2019, representing a total decrease of 42% since baseline measurement in 2015.

Combined greenhouse gas emissions per employee decreased nearly 4% in 2019, representing a total decrease of 39% since baseline measurement in 2015.

Establishment in 2019 of a cross-functional Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Steering Committee to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the diversity of the company’s employees and to support and strengthen an environment of inclusion and belonging in the workplace.

Approximately $1.4 million awarded in grants and charitable donations to non-profit organizations in 2019, including approximately $800,000 provided through the Alkermes Pathways Research Awards® program to promising junior investigators in 2019.

More than 450 Massachusetts-based employees volunteered during the 2019 Alkermes in Action day of service.

To learn more about Alkermes’ commitment to corporate responsibility, please see the Corporate Responsibility page of the Responsibility section on www.alkermes.com.

About Alkermes plc Alkermes plc is a fully integrated, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in the fields of neuroscience and oncology. The company has a portfolio of proprietary commercial products focused on addiction and schizophrenia, and a pipeline of product candidates in development for schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Alkermes plc has an R&D center in Waltham, Massachusetts; a research and manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland; and a manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Ohio. For more information, please visit Alkermes’ website at www.alkermes.com.

ALKERMES PATHWAYS RESEARCH AWARDS® is a registered service mark of Alkermes, Inc.

###

Alkermes Contacts:

For Investors: Sandy Coombs,    +1 781 609 6377 For Media:      Katie Joyce,  +1 781 609 6806

source: https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/45503-Alkermes-Releases-Third-Annual-Corporate-Responsibility-Report?tracking_source=rss

[android-for-life]

"It should be the goal of every business to protect our planet"

Today, at the start of the 25th annualUnited Nations Climate Change Conference, Google is joining 70 other companies and union leaders to call for the United States to stay in the Paris Agreement. We’re also sharing what Google is doing as a global innovator in renewable energy markets, and to build responsible supply chains and products that use AI to drive sustainability. 

We firmly believe that every business has the opportunity and obligation to protect our planet. To that end, we’re focused on building sustainability into everything that we do—from designing efficient data centers to creating sustainable workplaces to manufacturing better devices and creating more efficient supply chains. But our goal is much bigger: to enable everyone—businesses, policy makers and consumers—to create and live in a more sustainable world. 

Catalyzing the market for renewable energy

Google has been a carbon-neutral company since 2007 and we’ve matched our entire annual electricity consumption with renewable energy since 2017. Purchasing at Google’s scale helps grow the market for renewable energy, makes it easier for other corporate buyers to follow suit and supports a future where everyone has access to 24x7 carbon-free energy.  

Following Sundar’s September announcement of our biggest renewable energy purchase to date, we now have a portfolio of 52 wind and solar projects totaling more than 5 gigawatts, driving some $7 billion in expected new investments and thousands of related jobs around the world. Once these projects come online, they will produce more electricity than cities the size of Washington, D.C. or countries such as Lithuania or Uruguay use each year—all with renewable energy. 

We insist that all projects add new renewable energy sources to the grid—which catalyzes new  wind and solar projects. This approach also drives economic growth in the regions where we operate. For example, in Europe alone, Google’s purchases of renewable energy have generated €2.3 billion in capital investment in new renewable projects.

Google’s renewable energy purchases have helped make significant progress towards our long-term aspiration to power our operations with carbon-free energy in all places, at all times. Reaching 24x7 carbon-free energy will require innovations across policy, technology and business models and we are working hard to advance progress in these areas. For example, we recently signed a hybrid solar-wind agreement in Chile, which will increase our hourly carbon-free energy match from 75 percent to more than 95 percent.

As a founding member of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA), we are leading an effort to bring together more than 300 renewable energy buyers, developers, and service providers to pave the way for any company to access and purchase renewable energy. Collectively this group has committed to purchasing 60 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025; that’s more than six times the amount of solar and wind installed in the U.S. in 2018. 

We’re also partnering with businesses to drive policy change to create broad access to renewable energy purchasing for everyone. For example, in the state of Georgia, we worked with Walmart, Target and Johnson & Johnson to establish the first corporate renewable energy purchasing program with Georgia Power, the local utility.

Building responsible supply chains and products

In areas where we manufacture hardware products, we view it as our responsibility to make sure our suppliers and the surrounding communities have access to clean energy. We’re also committed to integrating sustainability into every step of our hardware process, from design to manufacturing to shipping: 

In October, we committed to invest approximately $150 million into renewable energy projects in key regions where our Made by Google products are manufactured. Our investment commitment, alongside partners, aims to catalyze roughly $1.5 billion of capital into renewable energy. With these investments, we expect to help generate renewable energy that is equivalent to the amount of electricity used to manufacture Google consumer hardware products. 

One-hundred percent of this year’s Nest products include recycled content plastic. 

One-hundred percent of all shipments to and from customers of Made by Google products are carbon neutral. 

On an individual level, our products and services help consumers reduce their own environmental impact on the planet. For example, the Nest Learning Thermostats have helped people save more than 41 billion kilowatt hours of energy—enough to power all of Estonia's electricity needs for six years.

We’re also making it easier for people to give their old devices a second life. Customers can responsibly recycle devices for free—whether made by Google or not—via our take-back program for all products, available in 16 countries, and via our U.S. Pixel trade-in program.

Using AI to build a more sustainable world

Google’s expertise in AI is a key part of how we think about sustainability. Here are just a few of the ways AI is helping to tackle some of the world’s most challenging environmental problems:

We built an AI-powered efficiency recommendation system that directly controls data center cooling. This first-of-its-kind cloud-based system is delivering energy savings of roughly 30 percent. We’re now working to give our Cloud customers access to this same technology.

We’re using AI to optimize wind farms in our global fleet of renewable energy projects. After DeepMind and Google started applying machine learning algorithms to 700 megawatts of wind power in the central U.S., the value of that wind energy has been boosted by roughly 20 percent.

AI powers Global Fishing Watch, a platform we launched in partnership with Oceana and SkyTruth that promotes ocean sustainability by visualizing, tracking and sharing data about global fishing activity in near real-time and for free.

We’re also working to reduce the impact of our changing climate on vulnerable people. It’s estimated that every year, 250 million people around the world are affected by flooding. Our flood forecasting initiative in the Patna region of India is aimed at providing accurate real-time flood forecasting information and alerts to those in affected regions.

Providing resources to accelerate action beyond Google

Many organizations doing the most important work to address environmental challenges lack the funding and internal expertise to achieve their goals. That’s why we’re committed to empowering businesses, nonprofits, researchers and policy makers to take action:

Our first-ever Google AI Impact Challenge awarded $25 million in Google.org funding, product credits and mentorship from Google experts. Winners include organizations that are driving critical work in climate, conservation and energy. For example, WattTime is working to replace expensive, on-site power plant emissions monitors with a globally accessible, open-source monitoring platform. This will help make critical emissions reduction initiatives more accessible to communities that might not otherwise be able to afford them. 

The Google for Startups Accelerator will support social impact startups addressing climate, poverty and inequality. It gives startups access to expertise on technology, monetization of a social impact business and capital. 

More than 70 percent of global emissions are generated by cities. Our Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) makes it easier for cities to access and act upon new climate-relevant datasets. 

Climate change is one of the most significant global challenges of our time and Google is committed to doing its part. We’re aggressively building sustainability into our operations and supply chains—efforts that are detailed in our annual Environmental Report andResponsible Supply Chain Report. We’ll continue to lead and encourage others to join us in improving the health of our planet. 

Source : The Official Google Blog via Source information

[inkariasacademyworld]

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

7.1. About NCDs

According to WHO, Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases are diseases of long duration which are a result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors.

The four major non-communicable diseases are: cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases and diabetes

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.

While NCDs were not included in the Millennium Development Goals, they are now an important target in the Sustainable Development Goals, under which countries would have to “reduce by 1/3rd, pre-mature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and wellbeing” by 2030.

7.2 Causes of NCDs

NCDs are reason for more than 60% death in India.

India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently received the prestigious UN Inter-Agency Task Force Award for “outstanding contribution to the achievement of NCD (Non-Communicable Diseases) related SDG targets”

NCDs are reason for more than 60% deaths in India.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), India stands to lose $ 4.58 trillion (Rs 311.94 trillion) due to non-communicable diseases between 2012 and 2030.

7.3. Steps taken By India

WHO has developed a comprehensive Global Monitoring Framework and Action Plan for prevention and Control of NCDs. India is the first country globally to adopt it to its National Context.

National Health Policy advocates pre-screening and sets the target to reduce premature mortality via NCDs by 25% by 2025.

The central government is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for interventions up to District level under the National Health Mission.

A flexi pool of funds for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) has been created.

NCD IT solution under Ayushman Bharat covers program-level data for screening, referral, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up activities of non-communicable diseases with an aim to connect health workers, doctors and decision-makers in a single, integrated platform.

Niti Aayog has proposed models for PPP to increase the role of private hospitals in treating non-communicable diseases.

Behavioural Factors: Modifiable behaviours, such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, consumption of processed food with enriched salt and sugar content and the harmful use of alcohol, all increase the risk of NCDs.

Metabolic factors: These include raised blood pressure, obesity, high blood glucose levels, etc. These risks are often increased due to behavioural factors.

Structural factors: The risks have been aggravated by the increasing sedentary life styles, Urban settlements with lack of open spaces and recreational activities, stressed work culture, pollution etc.

​

7.4. Impact of NCDs

Poverty: The rapid rise in NCDs is predicted to impede poverty reduction initiatives in low-income countries, particularly by increasing household costs associated with health care.

Loss of Workforce: Productive demographic dividend can be impacted due to such diseases which may take a toll on the economy. This also increases the Dependency ratio of the country.

Impact on children: NCDs impact on children is a major concern, in particular the rising levels of obesity.

​

Way Forward

Healthy Lifestyle: Promote behavioral changes such as reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, promoting healthy diets, physical activities such as Yoga, sports, exercise, etc.

Increase Governmental health expenditure: Actions related to reduction of blood pressure, control of diabetes and provision of competent primary care supplemented by cost-effective specialist clinical care for treatable NCDs will benefit all age groups.

Stringent Norms for processed and ready to eat food:

The UN declaration has asked food manufacturers to reduce salt, free sugars and saturated and industrially-produced trans fats in their products.

It also said that manufacturers should use nutrition labelling on packaged food to inform consumers, and restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children.

Private sector participation: In developing countries, private companies must complement governmental efforts to develop programmes to combat NCDs by:

establishing tobacco free workplaces

improving access to and affordability of safe, effective and quality medicines and technologies in the prevention and control on non-communicable diseases

Better Urban planning: It should support safe and pleasurable physical activity (For eg. pedestrian and bicycle lanes in Lucknow, open park gyms in Delhi), and also ensure sufficient green spaces and a pollution free environment.

Spread awareness: Spreading awareness about unhealthy lifestyle choices and building a robust early screening system.

[qubemagazine]

New Post has been published on Qube Magazine

New Post has been published on https://www.qubeonline.co.uk/saving-water-and-energy-and-so-much-more/

Saving water and energy and so much more...

NEWS FEATURES FIRE & SECURITY SUBMISSIONS RESOURCES

  WhiffAway Group’s waterless urinal technology makes a major, measurable contribution to environmental sustainability, while improving the workplace experience.

WhiffAway Group technology has helped change an industry from conventional flushing to zero flushing. This has been driven by developing unique solutions that deliver commercial and environmental savings, with more than 120,000 systems installed across 35 countries – saving the planet over 350 litres of water per second – and rising.

The system – which is ideal for retrofitting – offers obvious water savings (its waterless!) as well as embedded energy savings – there is no need to pump the water in to flush the urinals and this offers an embedded energy/carbon saving. Moreover, on new builds there is no need to plumb in cold feeds to urinals, leading to an estimated 30% saving on project costs and the environmental savings to match. Finally, the system is non-hazardous and all cleaning materials are environmentally friendly.

WhiffAway’s patented patented solutions save money, overcome common problems such as urinal odours, frequent blockages and flooding, in conjunction with making washrooms a more hygienic and pleasant place to visit.

WhiffAway Group’s Water Warrior technology takes water flushing from its current levels to zero, so there are environmental savings achieved from day one. WhiffAway’s solutions do not require harmful chemicals and less waste needs to be treated further downstream. The technology is more environmentally friendly in every way compared to conventional flushing.

Sustainable from the start

The WhiffAway waterless urinal technology story is all about sustainability and starts way back in 1992. Company founder Valerie McLean was seeking a project which would make a BIG difference. her preliminary findings demonstrated both institutions and organisations were actively exploring gas and electricity as a means of reducing costs and being more sustainable. It became increasingly evident that water was overlooked and this was due to the relatively low combined cost (water in and sewerage out) at the time. This lack of focus was the start of her passion for water conservation and helping others help the environment. Being ‘environmental’ was not on the top of the agenda at the time.

Through a consultancy project with John Forte, then Environmental Director of the Trust House Forte Group, Valerie conducted a study across a number of group properties, including Little Chef, Forte Post Houses, Welcome Break and Le Méridien. The findings of the study demonstrated that a staggering 42% of overall consumption was being flushed through urinals.

Having searched the market, there were little or no water saving solutions suitable to overcome common urinal problems, without increased cost and maintenance requirements, including the need for significant fabric changes. The idea for developing the retro-fit waterless urinal was born.

Following two years of R&D, field testing and significant private investment, the Dome & Disc Waterless Urinal was launched. The rest, as they say, is history.

“Valerie’s vision and determination has enabled hundreds of companies to save money, while measurably improving their environmental sustainability credentials,” said WhiffAway Group Operations Director Sebastian Marshall.

A worldwide solution

There are over 60 million urinals in the world and rising, and each standard flushing urinal wastes up to 157,000 litres of potable water every year at an approximate annual cost of £395.00 per urinal. In developed countries, urinal flushing accounts for up to 18% of total water consumption. This, alongside rising global populations, is simply too large a number to ignore when WhiffAway’s solution saves in every way, while also creating jobs.

Urinal flushing is one of the worst offenders when it comes to excessive water consumption. Not only is there huge wastage, but rising water charges mean that it is a problem every business simply cannot afford to ignore.

Switching to waterless urinals takes pressure off overstretched infrastructure. This can make a measurable contribution in drought ridden countries and save billions around the world in the process.

And beyond those numbers, the benefits of improving the washroom experience to positively enhance the well-being of employees is immeasurable.

WhiffAway Group’s waterless urinal technology has enabled hundreds of companies to save money, measurably improve their environmental sustainability credentials and has saved an estimated 750,000,000 cubic meters of water and £1.9 billion for industry.

Since the beginning that’s the equivalent of 300,000 Olympic sized swimming pools of drinking water.

Waste to energy

Through its partnership with Bristol UWE and supported by Oxfam and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WhiffAway has helped develop a revolutionary waste to energy solution for third world countries. The applications include generating power, conserving water, treating and recycling waste and inoculating soil in arid conditions.

WhiffAway is also a winner of the Waterwise Award and holds IAPMO and Watermark Certification, among others.

The sustainable future of washroom management

Using its experience as a market leader in waterless urinal technology, biological solutions and closed systems, WhiffAway Group has now developed and installed the world’s first fully connected smart washroom technology.

Rising washroom standards and customer expectations have driven Facilities Managers to find more innovative ways of monitoring performance. The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled service providers to collect data, track patterns and effectively manage resources to avoid run-to-breakdown scenarios.

Delivered as a turn-key solution, WhiffAway’s Smart Washroom uses IoT enabled sensors to collect data within the washroom. The application provides an interactive 3D washroom platform, while an easy to navigate user interface delivers data in a measurable way.

WhiffAway Smart Washrooms provide a scalable platform and delivery model which monitors usage patterns and generates reports, while helping to determine what drives the customer experience. Use of the data enables continuous improvements and drives efficiencies. WhiffAway’s Smart Portal captures real time data, providing a status of assets in the washroom and this is presented on a user-friendly dashboard which can be easily customised to present data in different formats and personalise alerts.

“WhiffAway Smart Washrooms Platform delivers a wide range of benefits for Facilities Managers,” said CEO James McLean. “By collecting data in real-time, trends can be identified to prompt routine maintenance of delivery systems and the replenishment of consumables. This, in turn helps avoid unnecessary breakdowns and increases customer satisfaction. The future of washroom management is here.”

  Saving water and energy and so much more…

NEWS FEATURES FIRE & SECURITY SUBMISSIONS RESOURCES

[pearlz-n-lace-blog]

Sensible Manufacturing along with the Ultrasonic Flow Meter

The Manufacturer MX Awards

Every year The Manufacturer MX Awards aim to recognise fantastic accomplishments in the business. Entries are invited for a range of distinct categories, together with the best name of'Manufacturer of the Year' introduced to a business which is strong across the board.

The winner of the year's'Manufacturer of the Year' name was declared in November and Dura Automotive took home the award. The business also returned into the workplace with awards 'People and Skills','World Class Manufacturing' and'Sustainable Manufacturing', therefore it was worth attending the function!

Investment in Employees, Quality and Sustainability

Dura Automotive are an global company that manufacture and design control systems for the automotive sector. They might be a massive performance, but the awards they won certainly illustrate what is necessary to develop a prosperous company; investment in workers, sustainability and quality.

If you have a look on their site, you will observe that their aims will be to'inspire drivers, customers, our people, the competition and stakeholders through innovation and performance'.

They know that so as to supply complete customer satisfactionthey will need to provide premium quality solutions. To accomplish this, they will need to keep ahead of the competition with innovative ideas, products and procedures and staff training and advancement opportunities along with a positive, client focused vision. Additionally, they also understand the significance of incorporating sustainability into every facet of their enterprise.

Sustainable Manufacturing

Sustainable manufacturing targets minimising the adverse outcomes of manufacturing. The overriding goal is to reduce the environmental effect of manufacturing and supply, yet the actual advantages to company come in the fact that in working towards sustainability is a process of continuous improvement.

Many producers are incentivised to do it. On the receiving end of Government initiatives or in an attempt to decrease water, energy and waste management costs, more businesses are willing to think about sustainable choices. Whilst they could have started off considering this as a tick box exercise, the actual advantages of taking action shortly become evident. Enormous savings have helped several organizations to stay competitive in the worldwide marketplace, have compensated for different investments or have boosted profits.

Flow Monitoring

If it comes to energy and water usage, flow observation has proved beneficial in conducting processes at improved levels, enhancing quality management, minimising waste and reducing downtime due to difficulties in the procedure. This has supported substantial cost savings in processing, storage, waste control and utility invoices.

By investing at low price ultrasonic flow meters, which retrofit into the outside of pipework, flow monitoring could be straight forward to implement. Calibrated to the particular flow assortment of the gas or liquid which moves through the tube, the more ultrasonic flow meter supplies information that immediately identifies when abnormal flow speeds are detected. This functions as an early warning system, so the problem can be immediately identified and rectified.

The ultrasonic flow meter additionally supports the optimization of this procedure, which can be quite successful in quality management. It was widely utilized to decrease waste piles and waste management costs in pharmaceutical, food and automotive industries, to mention but a few.

Every one these possible cost savings via an affordable ultrasonic flow meter surely justify investment in tracking technology. Other low cost apparatus such as tap aerators and rainwater harvesting systems also have helped UK companies to acquire a good deal more than ecological qualifications.

Recycled Materials

Another area where Dura Automotive have spent is in developments and research around the usage of recycled materials in their products. When makers believe reusing materials instead of raw materials, it may pose quite a few challenges. Being open minded to those challenges may result in revolutionary thinking, new ideas and approaches that could open new avenues for your product or business.

Using recycled materials does rely on adequate quantities being supplied by a trusted source. Having said that, in case a large scale performance like Dura can discover viable options to raw materials, then a little bit of research could cause appropriate supplies for smaller companies.

There's frequently a price in processing the material to make sure it is of a suitable benchmark for reuse. Businesses might have to research partnerships with different businesses and other collaborative strategies to make sure that cost effective and suitable alternatives are found. Find out more info click Capacitive Proximity Sensors Australia

[chocolate-brownies]

In all likelihood, the office space you occupy doesn’t quite measure up—in any way, shape, or form—to the Washington, DC, headquarters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). After all, modern buildings routinely expose us to conditions that may compromise our well-being, sabotage our mood, squelch our creativity, and even keep our focus squarely on Friday at 5:00. By contrast, every high- and low-tech detail of ASID’s workplace has been reimagined and retrofitted to promote physical and/or mental health, the goal being to positively affect both the well-being and productivity of everyone working there. And the results of this nearly-three-year-old experiment, which may one day serve as a model for a vast assortment of cubicled wastelands, have been so striking that it’s not hard to imagine the staff of 30 collectively uttering the unthinkable: Thank goodness it’s Monday.

Among the many hallmarks of this 7,500-square-foot office is the attention paid to the quality of light. The space purposefully faces northwest, so it’s bathed in a soft ambient shimmer throughout the entire day. The interior lighting is synced to parallel the human body’s circadian rhythm, so the bright, white bulbs that supplement the morning sun gradually give way to warmer, yellow hues that help prepare for the brain’s nightly surge of melatonin, the hormone that aids in the control of daily sleep–wake cycles. Sensors affixed to window mullions calculate glare and, if necessary, automatically raise or lower the shades to regulate its intensity. 

Equally notable is the attention to biophilia—the human affinity for the natural world, which creates a positive, healing atmosphere. For example, the office is filled with desktop terrariums, window-ledge greenery, and architectural patterns that mimic the natural world—everything from curved, cloudlike ceiling details to a conference room’s rich blue carpeting, fashioned from recycled fishing nets, whose randomized purplish swirls create the sensation of gazing across a not-quite-still pond. What’s more, a prominently displayed flat-panel monitor serves as a digital canary-in-the-coal-mine, offering a real-time snapshot of ozone, carbon dioxide, and other air-quality levels aggregated from sensors scattered about the office. When any of those readings exceed acceptable levels, the HVAC system flushes the space with fresh, filtered air.

Similar attention is paid to the social interaction and self-care the space fosters. There is no assigned seating, for instance, leaving the organization’s employees—including its CEO—to decide each day which workstation, office, or conference table best suits their individual whims or collaborative needs. Sit-stand desks are purposefully angled to provide those facing each other with visual privacy (as a bonus, those angles add another biophilic element). The customer-service area, where workers field some 4,000 monthly phone calls, are designed with thicker walls and acoustic dampening to mitigate the distracting din of the classic office. A consultant analyzed the organization’s demographics to calculate the optimal room temperature—a setting that corporate America has historically configured to accommodate men. A café stocked weekly with organic fruits and vegetables awaits those in need of a healthy snack, while a comfortable out-of-the-way break room is reserved for breastfeeding, meditation, or an afternoon snooze. 

Just as significant, however, this “living laboratory” at ASID showcases the intersection of mindfulness and the modern building, which offers the promise of dramatically transforming the structures in which we live and play, study, heal, and even spend the waning days of our lives. It’s part of a growing global movement to create spaces that contribute to healthier minds and bodies—an effort spearheaded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a New York-based public-benefit corporation founded in 2013. By tapping an exhaustive body of evidence-based scientific and medical research, IWBI devised an elaborate template for measuring, certifying, and then monitoring a wide array of elements that may impact the physical and mental healthfulness of a building’s occupants.

The WELL Building Standard operates much like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (known familiarly by its acronym LEED), the global green-building rating system that awards points for such practices as collecting recyclables and designating parking spaces for the use of electric and hybrid vehicles. Although LEED also rewards projects for addressing the health of a building’s occupants, WELL has made that its sole focus. 

Those seeking the WELL stamp of approval are graded on their ability to comply with the requirements spelled out in dozens of features of health and comfort grouped in 10 broad categories, or “concepts.” Among those in the Nourishment concept, for instance, is the creation of spaces to encourage mindful eating; the features that comprise the Mind concept, including designating areas exclusively for meditation or contemplation, are intended to bolster cognitive and emotional health.

“A building can do more than ‘no harm,’ that it can actually enhance the way that we live.”

—Rachel Gutter, president of the International WELL Building Institute

ASID is the first organization anywhere to achieve the highest level (platinum) of both the LEED certification and the newer WELL certification, and a growing number of like-minded businesses and institutions are striving to follow suit. “Increasingly we have the understanding that we can do so much better—that a building can do more than ‘no harm,’ that it can actually enhance the way that we live,” says Rachel Gutter, president of the International WELL Building Institute. “And so this is, I think, the shift to more mindful spaces—being intentional about our design and asking ourselves, How can our buildings be caretakers of the people within?” 

A Picture of Health and Happiness 

Although we may be genetically predisposed to venture from our caves and connect with the natural world, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that, on average, Americans spend about 90% of their time behind closed doors, whether in their homes, offices, and cars, or in theaters, restaurants, and malls.

Certification requires generous policies related to promoting healthy sleep, granting ample time away from the office

For many, that means being cooped up for half of their waking hours in a workplace whose computer screens may cause headaches and eyestrain. Whose cleaning products may give rise to nausea and dizziness. Whose mold-encrusted wall interiors may provoke sleep disorders or cognitive impairment. Whose drinking fountains may dispense water tinged with unhealthy levels of lead, copper, or mercury. Whose carpeting and pressed-wood furniture may leach cancer-causing volatile organic compounds. Whose cramped, windowless cubicles may foster isolation and despair. Whose culture of presumed around-the-clock dedication to the cause may be a recipe for heart disease, divorce, and depression.

The WELL Building Standard, released publicly in October 2014 and updated in early 2018, offers solutions specifically designed to address these and other causes of ill health, particularly in the workplace. From the get-go, this person-oriented rating system was a natural—if late-in-coming—complement to the more environmentally focused LEED, unveiled in 2000 by the US Green Building Council.

“We’ve known for a long time—literally decades—that office environments can impact human health and productivity,” says Joel Makower, chairman and executive editor of GreenBiz, which has been at the forefront of chronicling the intersection of business and sustainability. “And we’ve known about the solutions, from increased air flow and daylighting to increased worker control over her work space and work style. But it’s taken this long for employers to catch on to the business benefits of healthy, or well, buildings.”

When employers finally do undergo that WELL certification process, specially trained third-party experts score their ability to meet dozens of specific, often technical, benchmarks in each of the 10 concepts of building design and performance, as well as occupant health (the maiden version of WELL included fewer such requirements across only seven major categories). These 10 concepts include good indoor air quality; policies that encourage fitness, proper nutrition, and the consumption of clean drinking water; lighting that doesn’t disrupt natural body rhythms; thermal comfort and strategies to cut down on noise; and the use of products and materials that don’t pollute or contaminate a building’s interior.

In addition, WELL Version 2 added a focus on community—a set of features that prioritizes volunteerism and other forms of civic engagement, along with organization-wide access to the likes of generous support for new parents and family caregivers.

But the greatest changes to the revamped WELL standard are found in the Mind concept, which lays out a detailed set of design and policy strategies to positively influence the cognitive and emotional well-being of those occupying a space.

For example, there is a feature that mandates training for stress management and work–life balance as a means of heading off burnout. Other features address mental health support along with affordable treatments for substance abuse and addiction. In addition, certification requires generous policies related to promoting healthy sleep, granting ample time away from the office, and integrating nature and natural elements into the office. Finally, this section of the WELL Building Standard calls for providing free or low-cost programs of mindful movement, such as yoga or tai chi classes, or devising strategies to encourage mindfulness meditation: offering an eight-week course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, for instance, or furnishing access to a quiet, calm space where a building’s occupants might join a guided meditation program.

“There’s great research behind mindfulness training and the impact it can have on stress levels and well-being and sleep,” says Emily Winer, IWBI’s mind concept lead. “It has a spillover effect—you feel a little better after you meditate, you relax and it informs your whole day. Then that continues to inform your whole life and how you interact with people. I felt strongly it should be a part of WELL Version 2. There are ways you can design a space to help people get to that frame of mind. It may help create a sense of calmness, allowing you to be more present with your mindfulness practice.”

Doing Good by Doing WELL 

The TD Bank in Bethesda, Maryland, a mile from the District of Columbia line, had its ribbon-cutting in May 2016, and two years later earned the distinction of being the world’s first retail bank location to be granted both LEED and WELL certification. Although the building doesn’t have the bowl-you-over optics of the ASID headquarters, it nevertheless offers a telling look at how structures of any sort may one day be designed to benefit both the surrounding environment and those occupying the space, be it for an eight-hour shift or just a few random minutes.

The exterior, for example, boasts a two-lane drive-through topped with solar panels that, according to the store manager, provide about 90% of the building’s electricity. Atop the bank is a living green roof of maturing sedum plants, which helps oxygenate the neighborhood. Two adjacent metal grids affixed to an exterior wall support a towering web of flowering ivy each spring and summer, which effectively releases stormwater from the roof and, as a bonus, adds an appealing counterpoint to a suburban panorama otherwise dominated by 12 stories of red and tan brick.

The drinking water is purified, the air is free of noxious building materials or cleaning supplies, the tall windows and circadian lighting systems help boost and maintain concentration.

Like the ASID space, the bank’s interior is long on elements tailored for employee well-being: The drinking water is purified, the air is free of noxious building materials or cleaning supplies, the tall windows and circadian lighting systems help boost and maintain concentration throughout the workday. In addition, vivid waist-to-ceiling murals of drooping leaf-covered tree branches splash across two adjoining walls, a welcoming nod to the physical, mental, and behavioral benefits that may be realized by contact simply with images of nature.

Plaques scattered throughout the bank provide customers with tips about optimum thermal comfort and proper hydration (a water-bottle filling station is near the teller counter); an intimate café space includes a Wellness Resources Library with background about the WELL certification process and healthy lifestyle changes. Free coffee is provided, but non-dairy creamers, typically laden with hydrogenated vegetable-based fats, have been banned from the premises. (Highly processed foods are frowned on in a feature of the WELL Nourishment concept.)

Unlike the aging TD location I usually patronize, which was acquired in a late-2007 merger, the design, details, and employee energy of this new WELL-certified operation create a noticeably more positive and welcoming experience. Interestingly, the signage, the literature, and the prominently displayed certification awards in the new bank serve as catalysts for the staff to engage customers about this undertaking to create a healthier environment—in the process raising awareness about how the community may benefit and, if history is any guide, possibly spurring others to follow suit.  

Jacquelynn Henke, Vice President of Sustainability & Innovation for TD Bank, says that that’s precisely what happened when one of TD’s locations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, became the nation’s first net-zero energy bank—i.e., the building’s 400 solar panels generated more kilowatt-hours over a year than it used, allowing the company to feed this surplus energy into the local power grid. “Within two or three years, probably four blocks away, another bank opened a net-zero energy store,” Henke says. “So sometimes all it takes is being first in that community, or very close to the first, to help set that leadership path and get others thinking about it and raising the awareness.”

At the moment, TD Bank has just one other store—in Princeton, New Jersey—that also earned its WELL stripes, meaning that some 1,300 of its locations across the eastern United States haven’t scored the certification plaque, and in many cases likely never will. But Henke says the bank is taking lessons learned from the Bethesda and Princeton stores and applying them elsewhere, so the WELL program benefits will nevertheless be spread far and wide as the building-renovations cycle unfolds over the coming years.

The WELL program’s Rachel Gutter says that’s precisely the sort of ripple effect that this certification process can create throughout an entire workforce. “You can’t offer paternity leave and better travel to your employees one building at a time,” she says. “From an equity standpoint, you have to offer them to all your employees. So while an organization might pilot WELL in one building, if they choose to adhere to those commitments over the long haul, they’re going to have to roll them out on an organization-wide scale.”

“We’re not in the business of selling registrations and certifications,” she adds. “We’re in the business of transforming the market. The beautiful thing is that when you do transform the market, everybody comes along.”

There’s No Time Like the Present

Before moving to its current headquarters, ASID partnered with Cornell University and two research firms in hopes of gauging how those WELL-certified digs would affect, among other things, the health, performance, and job satisfaction of its employees. Not surprisingly, the pre- and post-occupancy surveys revealed that the staff appreciated everything from the better air quality and acoustics of the new office (sound levels were cut in half) to the physical comfort of the ergonomically engineered workstations and the emphasis on access to nature. Moreover, the unassigned seating and open-office layout sparked more interactions and collaboration, while one-quarter of the staff attributed the office’s circadian lighting to them getting a better night’s sleep.

For its part, ASID management realized a jump in productivity and collaboration, reduced its energy bills by thousands of dollars, and anticipates dramatic cost savings going forward due to lower employee turnover. Ultimately, the organization expects to recoup its investment in this “office of the future” in the first half of its 10-year lease agreement. And as CEO Randy Fiser notes, this move to create a healthy workspace is also paying the sort of intangible dividends not quantifiable by surveys or bottom-line computations: “My position as CEO requires me to travel 70% of the time, including internationally,” he says. “After a trip, I make a point to be back in the office to reap the benefits of the circadian lighting. It helps regulate my rhythms and gets me back on the proper time zone quickly.”

These many benefits realized by those occupying WELL-certified buildings aren’t surprising, as workplace programs to promote employee health and well-being—whether via mindfulness training, the incorporation of biophilia, or technologies like those that grace ASID headquarters—have been shown to cut absenteeism, sick leave, and the costs associated with health care and disability. 

“Healthy buildings finally pencil out: They make sense financially, and in some sectors and markets may be seen as a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining employees,” says Joel Makower, of GreenBiz. (Full disclosure: He has been a friend and colleague since publication of his 1981 book, Office Hazards: How Your Job Can Make You Sick.) “It’s no longer a nice thing to do, or even just a way to lower operating costs. It’s rapidly becoming a de facto standard for landlords and companies.”

It’s not only traditional businesses, however, that are paying attention to this phenomenon. Although the first iteration of the WELL Building Standard was crafted with office buildings in mind, Version 2 is adaptable for pretty much any type of project but a single-family home, and so far interest in pursuing certification has come from warehouses, airports, resorts, restaurants, affordable-housing projects, military installations, and a YMCA. What’s more, there has been a tremendous surge in demand for WELL-inspired elder-care facilities, as aging Baby Boomers scheme to outrun the actuarial tables while simultaneously bolstering their quality of life.

Of course, complying with 112 multi-part features spread across 10 diverse concepts may require budgets beyond the means of some hoping to emulate the WELL pioneers, possibly constraining this movement’s evolution. For example, Traci Rose Rider, PhD, coordinator of North Carolina State University’s Design Initiative for Sustainability & Health, says that, by and large, public school administrators aren’t yet asking for the likes of biophilia and innovative building-related technologies. “You could say, ‘I want circadian lighting for all these kids, and we think it might work. Or we could use those funds to patch the roofs on the four buildings that need patching.’ So there is a huge funding issue, and so far the people adapting it are those that have the money and dedication to do it, often larger corporations.” Similarly, while blue-sky thinkers envision adapting WELL for such structures as prisons—which research clearly demonstrates would contribute to inmates’ psychological well-being—retrofitting a supermax to bathe cells in north-facing light and insure optimum thermal comfort is not likely on any horizon.

But in the meantime, it’s clear that a WELL-certified building can fit seamlessly into a shifting corporate culture that has begun adding to its ranks chief wellness officers and chief mindfulness officers, just as it routinely added chief sustainability officers over the past decade to monitor and improve environmental efforts.

“We believe in the triple bottom line: Shoot for the intersection of people, planet, and prosperity,” says Rachel Gutter. “If your employees are more present, if they’re more satisfied, if they’re more engaged and more productive, then everybody wins.” 

Force of Nature

Here’s one WELL-inspired strategy for feeling right at home.

Since the launch of WELL in late 2014, its healthy-building standards have been applied to more than 860 projects around the globe, some 300 of which are spread across the United States. Although most of these American projects encompass office space, others completed or are being prepared for the certification process include a retirement community in Colorado, an environmental charter school in Pennsylvania, and a pricey 15-story condo development in lower Manhattan’s historic Flatiron District.

At last count, WELL projects could be found in only 33 states, with one-third of them located in New York and California. As a result, while this emerging phenomenon shows promise of dynamic expansion, for the moment, at least, few stand to reap the rewards of a building certification process designed to enhance human health and well-being.

It’s still possible, however, to realize the benefits of WELL by applying its standards to your own living space, be it a wide-open manor house or a dinky studio apartment.

The WELL Mind concept, for example, identifies a wide array of features that play significant roles in our cognitive and emotional health, including one in particular that can be readily adapted in any home: biophilia, the human affinity for the natural world.

Interestingly, people benefit from direct contact with foliage, natural light, and other environmental elements, but also from exposure to images of the outdoors, and even to objects inspired by the shapes and patterns found in nature. Research has demonstrated, for instance, that hospital patients not only heal faster by having plants and flowers by their bedside, but also by having a window in their room with a view of trees. Similarly, prisoners confined to maximum-security cells were found to show positive behavioral changes after being allowed to watch nature videos for 40 minutes a day.

But plopping a lone Venus Flytrap on a coffee table is unlikely to tamp down blood pressure or help throttle the heebie-jeebies. “Biophilic design is not intended to be just about a plant here or a water feature there,” says Vermont-based architect and biophilic-design consultant Elizabeth Calabrese, AIA. “It’s actually about tying nature and natural systems and processes into our lives.”

To that end, Calabrese advises that we think about our living space as a little ecosystem, whether that means filling it with a variety of greenery able to thrive in the available light; or incorporating natural materials like pottery, tile, or a wood table; or relying on dappled light filtering through trellises that fill the home with patterns that change throughout the day.

In addition, you can bring nature into your living space via views of a flower-filled window box, bird feeders, or water features, which provide the added benefit of helping to drown out the sound of traffic and other noise. A porch swing or rocking chair will connect you to the outdoors, as will sheer cotton window coverings fluttering in the springtime breeze.

Every little bit helps, Calabrese says, although overloading your home with such elements can actually sabotage the goal of crafting a healthy ecosystem. “Balance is the key,” she adds. “More isn’t necessarily better.”

The post Next-Level Workspaces Are Measured in “Healthfulness” appeared first on Mindful.

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RIBA News & Events 2020, London, UK

RIBA Events 2020, Architecture Gallery London, UK Buildings, British Architects News

RIBA News & Events 2020

Royal Institute of British Architects Exhibition + Talks + Events in London, England, UK

RIBA UK News

15 October 2020 RIBA calls on architects to pledge support for equity and inclusion

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today launched the RIBA Inclusion Charter and calls on architects and practices to sign-up and pledge their support for equity and inclusion.

The RIBA Inclusion Charter sets out five actions to drive cultural change in our workplaces and industry.

By signing the RIBA Inclusion Charter, individuals and practices:

ACKNOWLEDGE the urgent need for inclusion in the architecture profession and wider construction industry.

COMMIT to setting inclusion targets and an EDI action plan for their practice.

COMMIT to developing their workplace culture, talent pipeline and ways of working to support inclusion.

COMMIT to publicly reporting on progress of their EDI plan – transparency and accountability are vital to drive cultural change.

COMMIT to embedding inclusive design in all projects, and contributing to the development of inclusive environments.

The RIBA Inclusion Charter enables signatories to build on the requirements of the RIBA Codes of Conduct and Practice. For example, RIBA Chartered Practices must already have an EDI policy (the policy guide is currently being updated).

Charter signatories will be supported by the RIBA’s expanded EDI team and have access to best practice guidance on topics including recruiting diverse talent, inclusion data monitoring and establishing employee resource groups.

The RIBA has also today published Inclusion Footprints, a series of basic steps everyone can take – regardless of where they are in their career journey – to help drive change.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“We must pull together as employees, employers and business leaders to share best practice and put an end to any discrimination. The RIBA Inclusion Charter gives architects and practices an opportunity to further their commitment to an inclusive profession, and share their experiences and expertise with others. I commend the founding signatories of the RIBA Inclusion Charter for making themselves accountable for change, and urge every architect and practice – regardless of scale, work or location – to step-up and sign-up to join our new community of equity champions.”

Founding signatory, Kirsten Lees, Grimshaw, said:

“At Grimshaw, as architects and designers we recognise that the strength of our work is due to the quality of our people. We know how important it is that we recruit and retain the widest possible mix of voices and experiences that reflect the diversity of our society and the communities that use and experience our designs. Our 2016 diversity plan has been successful in implementing meaningful change within the practice and as a founding signatory on the RIBA Inclusion Charter we pledge to continue to build on this and support the wider industry to address existing challenges and inequalities.”

9 Oct 2020

RIBA reduces 2021 subscription fee

Friday 9 October 2020 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today announced membership subscription rates for 2021. Following a price freeze for 2020 subscriptions, all UK, Joint Members with our partners in the Home Nations, RIAS and RSUA, and international architects will be able to benefit from chartered membership in 2021, at a reduced rate.

In 2021, the annual fee for the most common form of membership – a UK based Chartered Member who has been qualified for over five years – will decrease by over 8% to £399.

In addition to reduced rates for chartered members, the RIBA continues to offer significant benefits to members and concessions and support for those facing financial hardship, on lower incomes, or retired architects. Free membership will also continue to be offered to Part 1 and Part 2 students at RIBA validated schools of architecture, anywhere in the world, and those on their year out between Part 1 and Part 2.

The RIBA’s subscription fee reduction is part of a package of support to help members navigate through and beyond the current turbulent period, and includes the recently published RIBA Recovery Roadmap.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“Increasing support for architects and offering value for money is an essential combination for these challenging times. As well as being the voice, network and champion of architects in the UK and across the globe, the RIBA helps members and their practices survive and thrive. From supporting the education of future architects and providing critical CPD content, to hosting inspiring events and celebrating excellence, guiding clients and matching them with Chartered Practices, to working with and challenging government to influence legislation and standards, the RIBA works hard to be essential for all architects.”

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said:

“Not only is RIBA membership a global mark of quality and assurance that sets an individual above their non-RIBA counterparts, it also provides access to resources and support that ensure architects stay at the top of their game. With ongoing volatility, architects need their Institute more than ever, and I am pleased that in 2021 we will be even greater value.”

Find out more about the changes here.

8 Oct 2020

Pandemic Drives Demand For UK Home Transformations

Batelease Farm by New British Design, RIBA South West Award winner 2019: image courtesy of architects

8th October 2020 – New research commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) reveals the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic on how people want to live and work at home.

UK homeowners are increasingly demanding environmentally efficient properties that better support their new ways of living, as well as their mental health, happiness and family cohesion.

The RIBA’s research exclusively reveals that the majority of homeowners (70% of survey respondents) believe the design of their home has affected their mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

Spending more time in their home has made people more stressed (11%), anxious (10%) and depressed (10%); they’ve found it harder to relax (9%) and it’s negatively impacted their productivity (6%).

The RIBA’s research sought to understand the mental and physical benefits of living in a better-designed home. The findings highlight that 23% believe a better-designed home will increase their happiness; they’d be able to relax more (31%) and sleep better (17%).

Insights also revealed that with working from home now the ‘new normal’ for many, 15% want to improve the design of their home to help them be more productive. And with families spending more time together at home, more than one in 10 (11%) believe making changes to the design of their home would help them to live more harmoniously with others in the house.

Environmental Psychologist and Lecturer at University of Surrey, Eleanor Ratcliffe comments: “For many of us our home is our favourite place and an important part of our identity. Over recent months our homes have had to become the workplace, school, and gym, and yet still be a place to relax and recover from all the everyday stresses and strains – impacting entire households. The RIBA’s research demonstrates that many people realise that their home in its current form does not cater for all these different uses and users. A home design that reflects who you are – your values, needs, and interests – can make people feel good about themselves. A home that meets one’s needs because it is appropriately designed can also make people feel more in control, and that is especially relevant when life feels uncertain.”

Eight out of 10 respondents (79%) identified one or more of the changes that they’d now like to make to the design of their home after lockdown, these include:

• Nearly a quarter of homeowners (23%) would reconfigure their existing spaces. A fifth want to create more space by extending their home. • Nearly one in 10 (9%) would change their open-plan design in favour of creating separate rooms. In contrast, 14% would like to make their home more open plan. • 40% want more environmental-design features, including improving the amount of natural daylight, improving the energy-efficiency of their home and improved sound-proofing between spaces. • 8% would like more flexible living eg rooms that can easily be divided. • 17% would create an office space to support working from home. • 7% want to be able to accommodate an extended family including parents, grandparents and grown-up children. • 12% need more personal space. The survey also sought to understand the homeowners existing perceptions of architects and what they would prioritise when choosing an architect to work with. • Membership of a professional organisation is singled out by the greatest number of homeowners (61%) as an important factor in selecting an architect. • Almost 50% think evidence that architects can add value to homes is important, much more so than the cost of their service, which was voted more critical by only 15%. • One of the best ways for an architect to provide evidence is with good references: 48% of people thought this was the most important factor. With 43% stating that evidence of an architects’ ability to listen and meet their individual needs was crucial in their selection of an architect. • Many want their architect to demonstrate their commitment to the environment – 27% want evidence that an architect will make their home more environmentally sustainable and 31% want to see the architect’s commitment to combatting climate change

RIBA President Alan Jones said: “It’s clear that amongst its many other impacts, COVID-19 will affect how and where we choose to live and work for years to come. For many of us, our homes are our sanctuaries, and now our workplaces too. This new RIBA research clearly shows that, having spent much more time at home, many people realise they must adapt and improve their living spaces. The findings provide an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of good spatial, functional and sustainable design and its direct impact on our physical and mental wellbeing – all part of the value brought to a home and its owner by engaging a RIBA Chartered Architect.”

1 Oct 2020

RIBA welcomes government move to ensure Permitted Development housing meets space standards

The RIBA has responded to the government’s move to ensure all new homes delivered through Permitted Development meet Nationally Described Space Standards.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said: “I’m delighted and relieved that housing delivered through Permitted Development will now have to meet the National Described Space Standard, following significant campaigning by the RIBA and others.

The Government has done the right thing by closing this dangerous loophole and ensuring new Permitted Development housing across England will have adequate space and light – standards that should be a given.

I look forward to engaging with the government over the coming weeks as they consult on wider planning reforms. We must use this opportunity to ensure all new housing is safe, sustainable and fit for future generations.” 29 Sep 2020

RIBA responds to expansion of post-18 education and training

Tuesday 29 September 2020 – The RIBA has responded to the Prime Minister’s major expansion of post-18 education and training to level up and prepare workers for post-COVID economy.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“Architecture apprenticeships are central to creating a socially inclusive profession, so I welcome plans to make them more accessible and provide additional funding to SMEs. Aspiring architects and smaller practices need more support than ever during this economically uncertain time, and entry level apprenticeships need to be funded at more appropriate level to make them attractive and workable.

We also need the government to focus on making architecture accessible beyond the current pandemic, and commence the promised comprehensive review of routes to registration. Until we see a serious re-evaluation of the seven-year training process – one of the most significant barriers to becoming an architect – our profession will not realise the diverse skills and talent we need, nor reflect the society we serve.”

25 Sep 2020

RIBA responds to Winter Economy Plan

The RIBA has responded to UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement today on the Winter Economy Plan to protect jobs and support businesses.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“The impact of the pandemic brings the need for a carefully considered and well-designed built environment into even sharper focus. A resilient architects’ profession is crucial to deliver solutions on our zero carbon commitments, housing quality and affordability, and public safety and wellbeing.

As uncertainty continues, we are pleased that the UK Chancellor has recognised that businesses and the self-employed will need ongoing support, to succeed in the long-term. It is encouraging to see the new Job Support Scheme is available to all employees including those on part time hours – something we have been calling for. The flexibility and extension of Government loans is also welcomed, with architects having benefitted from these schemes over the last six months.

It is critical that there are continued discussions around the detail of these schemes, to ensure the right measures are in place to best help businesses during this challenging period.”

24 Sep 2020

Architects’ confidence in the balance – RIBA Future Trends August 2020

Thursday 24 September 2020 – In August 2020 the RIBA Future Workload Index remained positive at +7, with 31% of practices expecting a workload increase, 24% expecting a decrease, and 44% expecting workloads to remain the same over the next three months.

Regionally, the North of England returned to pre-Covid levels of confidence with a score of +25; Wales and the West remained at +30, and the South of England at +10. London and the Midlands & East Anglia meanwhile provided some cause for concern, both returning figures of -9.

Small practices (1 – 10 staff) remained the most optimistic group, posting a workload figure of +8, while large and medium-sized practices (11 – 50 and 51+ staff) were less confident, returning an average zero balance figure, compared to +13 in July 2020.

Among the four different work sectors, private housing continued to be the only area anticipating growth – returning a balance figure of +17 – while the commercial sector fell five points to -20, the community sector sat at -11, and the public sector fell slightly to -5.

In terms of staffing:

Almost one in five practices (19%) expect to see a decrease in the number of permanent staff over the next three months.

74% expect permanent staffing levels to remain consistent.

8% expect permanent staffing levels to increase.

Permanent positions are most vulnerable in London, with almost a quarter of practices expecting to have fewer permanent staff in the next three months, and only 5% expecting to have more.

32% report personal underemployment.

65% expect profits to fall over the next twelve months, and 7% expect that fall to threaten practice viability.

14% of London practices questioned their long-term viability.

The average percentage of furloughed staff fell from 20% to 10%.

20% of staff are working fewer hours than they were pre-Covid, with those in London most likely to be working fewer hours.

Across England, an average of 2% of have been made redundant; in London, that figure rises to 3%.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis, Adrian Malleson, said:

“These August results mark a moment in time and sentiment before this week’s announcements, which are likely to make the operating environment for architects more volatile.

Anticipated workload growth has been driven by relative optimism about private housing, and primarily by architects outside London. Private domestic work, commissioned in response to the virus, seems to have become the lifeblood of many small practices, with many homeowners turning to architects to design spaces that support current ways of living.

Nevertheless, significant challenges remain for practices who rely on the commercial sector, with many clients cautious to commit to future projects. Reports of slowed planning applications, increased material cost, and restricted flow of finance as institutions wait for greater certainty before investing are also significant.

Over the past three months the confidence and sentiment of practices has swung like never before, and we can expect further fluctuation as we move into the final quarter of 2020.

RIBA members will continue to receive dedicated support and assurance that their concerns are being raised across government, at the highest level.”

25 Aug 2020 RIBA opens nominations for 2020 Annie Spink Award

Tuesday 25th of August 2020 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is welcoming nominations for the 2020 Annie Spink Award for Excellence in Architectural Education.

The biennial award celebrates an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to architectural education over a significant period:

2020 Annie Spink Award

18 Aug 2020 RIBA responds to A-level results U-turn

Tuesday 18th of August 2020 – The RIBA has today responded to the latest Government announcement that students in England will now receive teacher assessed grades for GCSE and A level results.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“We welcome the news that the Government is taking action to address the legitimate concerns of pupils, parents and schools around the standardisation of A-level results.

Whilst the latest announcements will be positive for some hoping to enter the architects’ profession, the chaos of the last week has already unfairly impacted many students including those who have missed out on a place on their preferred course.

We are in contact with SCHOSA, which represents UK schools of architecture, to understand what actions will be taken on the ground. We will be urging UK schools of architecture to honour all contractual conditional offers based on teacher assessed grades, where appropriate. We encourage them to consider whether more places will be made available for 2020/21, where possible, now that the student number cap has been lifted.

We remain concerned for those with BTEC qualifications – clarity is urgently needed.”

13 August 2020 RIBA Future Trends July 2020 Thursday 13th of August 2020 – Workload predictions positive for the first time in four months.

After four months in negative territory, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose to +3 in July, from –17 in June. Nearly a third (31%) of practices anticipate a workload increase, 42% expect workload to remain the same and 28% expect a decrease.

In July the Staffing Index also rose by 5 points, with 75% of practices saying they expect the level of permanent staff to remain the same over the next three months and 8% (rising from 4%) anticipating the need to employ more permanent staff. Despite this, 17% still expect their staffing levels to decrease over the next three months.

All sectors returned slightly more positive balance figures. The private housing sector rose significantly to +17 (from -3 in June), the commercial sector rose to -15 (from -32), the community sector to -14 (from -19) and the public sector to -4 (from -12).

While there was increased optimism about workloads over the next three months, 62% of respondents still expect profits to fall over the next year and within that, 7% consider that their practice is unlikely to remain viable.

The findings from this month’s survey also show: • 20% of architectural staff have been furloughed • 1% of architectural staff have been made redundant • 1% have been released from a ‘zero hours’, temporary or fixed-term contracts • 18% of staff are working fewer hours (and they are most likely to work for smaller practices) • 26% of projects are still on hold since March • 22% of projects which remain active are at stages 5 or 6 of the RIBA Plan of Work

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis, Adrian Malleson, said: “While July’s findings might show the first glimpse of positivity we’ve seen for a while – with practices seeing a specific increase in private residential enquiries as home working continues – architects still face a particularly challenging market. For some, their current workloads mainly consist of pre-pandemic commissions and the source of future work is uncertain. As the UK enters its first recession in 11 years, we can expect further caution from clients to commit to new projects, and confidence in future workloads may be affected.

It remains our fundamental priority to support our members through this difficult time with resources and economic intelligence to help overcome immediate hurdles and build future resilience.” Members with concerns or queries are encouraged to email info@riba.org.

11 August 2020 Simon Allford elected RIBA President (2021-23)

Simon Allford: photo © Tom Mesquitta

11th of August 2020 – Simon Allford has been elected the next President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Simon will take over the two-year presidential term from Alan Jones next year (1 September 2021); from 1 September 2020 he will officially become RIBA President Elect.

The role of RIBA President was established in 1835 and is the highest elected position in UK architecture. The President Chairs RIBA Council, which acts as the representative body for the membership.

Simon is a founding director of AHMM (where he leads a design studio of 200 architects), a frequent writer, critic and advisor; a visiting professor at Harvard; a previous chairman of the Architecture Foundation; and currently a trustee of the London School of Architecture and the Chickenshed Theatres Trust.

Speaking today, Simon Allford, said: “It is a privilege to have been elected and I look forward to working with members, Council, Board and staff to create a leaner, more open, productive, engaged and reinvigorated RIBA.

We need an institute of ideas with architecture front and centre, hosting debates, lectures and exhibitions reflecting changing cultural and practice contexts. We need an institute that celebrates and promotes members’ work at home and worldwide. We need an institute that is a practice friend, enabling members to share ideas about best ways of working, using today’s technology to help advance architecture for the benefit of society – our Charter obligation.

I am committed to the ‘House of Architecture @ RIBA’, an online and physical entity capable of forming alliances with clients, consultants and contractors to influence government over procurement and education, while also helping us to address global climate change and architecture’s pivotal role in a post-pandemic world.”

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said: “Congratulations to Simon. The next few years will be crucial for our planet and profession as we navigate through health, environmental and economic crises – so Simon has a significant role to play in ensuring all architects receive the strong support and inspiring leadership they need to survive and thrive. I look forward to counting on Simon’s support over the next year before I hand over to them in 2021.”

The RIBA has also today announced the results of the RIBA Council Elections 2020. All RIBA Council appointments announced today will commence on 1 September 2020.

Simon Allford architect: photograph © Tom Mesquitta

Council Members were elected using the Single Transferable Vote. The candidates who reached the required quota and were therefore elected are:

National Seats

• Simone de Gale • Jennifer Dixon

International Seats

• Ken Wai (Asia and Australasia) • Catherine Davis (The Americas)

Regional Seats – London • David Adjei • Sarah Akigbogun • Angela Dapper • Femi Oresanya • Jack Pringle • Anna Webster

Regional Seats – South East • Duncan Baker-Brown • Danka Stefan

There was one candidate for the role of RSAW Presidency, therefore Gavin Traylor is elected unopposed. Gavin will take up his term as President Elect on 1 September 2020 and become President from September 2021 for a two-year term. The following members will take uncontested seats as Council Members:

• Alice Asafu-Adjaye (The Middle East and Africa) • Tim Clark (Europe excluding UK) • Graham Devine (South West) • Roger Shrimplin (East) • Yuli Cadney-Toh (Wessex) • Philip Twiss (West Midlands)

The overall Presidential election turnout was 13.2%; Simon Alford was elected at 4th stage with 58.9% of the votes. 17.2% of Chartered Members voted, 6.66% of newly enfranchised Student, Associate and Affiliate members voted.

Biography:

Simon Allford is a leading architect and co-founder of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

Working from AHMM’s Clerkenwell base, Simon leads a studio with offices in London, Bristol and the US, working internationally on a wide range of award-winning projects. In each case, the quest is to find a way of unlocking the potential for the extraordinary in everyday buildings. Key recent examples include the University of Amsterdam; Google and DeepMind’s HQ offices in London, Berlin and Canada; and The White Collar Factory, Hawley Wharf and Post Building in London.

Currently Simon is leading a series of large-scale urban research and design projects in London, the UK, Europe, India and the US. Each explores potential new ways to live, work and play in a variety of combinations. The studio also engages clients in the exploration of ways to achieve low-carbon architecture and outcomes that avoid rigid assumptions about the way a building needs to look or operate.

Simon recently retired as Chair of the Architecture Foundation. He is a former trustee of the Architectural Association Foundation; Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of The Architectural Association; RIBA Vice-president for Education; member of the RIBA Awards Group and a chair of design deview at CABE. Simon is a frequent judge of major awards and competitions, a writer, critic and advisor. He studied at Sheffield University, then the Bartlett school at University College London. He has taught and examined at schools around the world and is a visiting professor at the Bartlett and at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.

Simon’s long-term commitment to an open and accessible profession has informed his engagement in numerous initiatives at AHMM, including his founding membership of the practice’s Employee Ownership Trust Board, and his current role as a trustee of the London School of Architecture and Chickenshed Theatres Trust.

4 August 2020 RIBA responds to new Green Homes Grant scheme

Tuesday 4th of August 2020 – The RIBA has today responded to further details announced by government on the Green Homes Grant scheme.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“It is great to see more details on the Green Homes Grant scheme to support households to become more energy efficient and reduce energy bills.

We have long called for use of a TrustMark to ensure homeowners are using accredited tradespeople and simple energy advice service for homeowners so I’m pleased to see these proposals taken forward. But it’s very disappointing that there is no requirement to compare energy pre and post retrofit to help ensure value for money and energy savings.

It is clear the government needs to urgently set out a ‘National Retrofit strategy’, with adequate funding to retrofit the homes which require upgrading and help meet our net zero targets.”

16 July 2020 RIBA Future Trends June 2020

Thursday 16th of July 2020 – Mixed views about future workload indicate a profession in flux.

Architects’ views on future workloads have improved significantly since the lockdown low in April, but the profession remains pessimistic.

The RIBA Future Trends Workload Index moved towards positive territory, climbing to –17 in June, from -49 in May, and the unprecedented low of -82 in April. The latest survey results show 40% of architects expect work to decrease over the next three months and nearly a quarter (23%) expect an increase (up from 13% in May).

The Staffing Index improved by 9 points in June; 77% of practices expect the level of permanent staff to remain the same over the next three months, 18% expect a decrease (from 26% in May) and 4% anticipate more permanent staff.

There was an increase in prospects across all sectors; the private housing sector returned a figure of -3 (from -40 in May), the commercial sector was at -32 (from -41), the community sector was at -19 (from -33) and the public sector returned a figure of -12 (from -27). Despite pockets of shared optimism, current workloads remain at significantly reduced level – down 28% compared to June 2019. 70% of respondents expect profits to fall over the next 12 months and within that, 7% consider that their practice is unlikely to remain viable.

The findings from this month’s survey also show:

• 19% of architectural staff have been furloughed – a reduction on last month’s figure of 22% • 1% of architectural staff have been made redundant; 1% have been released from a ‘zero hours’, temporary or fixed-term contract. • 32% of projects had been put on hold since the start of March. • 22% of projects which remain active are at stages 5 or 6 of the RIBA Plan of Work. • Among small practices (1 – 10 staff) there were a higher percentage of practices working fewer hours (20%).

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis, Adrian Malleson, said: “Economic uncertainty remains, with many architects expressing concerns about future workloads and significant challenges ahead. The global pandemic, coupled with the risks of a no-deal Brexit, continues to impact our sector.

However, in June we saw an increase in some architects’ confidence and the early signs of returning workloads. More sites are beginning to reopen and practices, particularly those in the residential sector, reported a sharp rise in new enquires. Design work is being carried out, despite the challenges that come with home working.

The RIBA will continue to advocate on behalf of the profession and provide support to members and practices, to help guide them through this challenging time and build resilience for the future.”

Members with concerns or queries are encouraged to email info@riba.org.

14 July 2020 Network Rail Re-imagining Stations Competition

Network Rail and RIBA Competitions launch an international competition to shape the future of Britain’s railway stations:

Network Rail Re-imagining Stations Competition

9 July 2020 Post-pandemic buildings and cities – RIBA reveals longlist for Rethink:2025 international design competition: RIBA Rethink 2025 Design Competition longlist

8 July 2020 RIBA reacts to Chancellor’s ‘Plan for Jobs’

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“The RIBA has long advocated for a ‘green’ post-COVID recovery, so I welcome the Chancellor’s efforts to put sustainability front and centre of today’s announcements.

The £2bn Green Homes Grant will help some households become more energy efficient and reduce energy bills, but this must be the start, not the end, of an ambitious strategy to create a sustainable built environment. We urgently need a thorough ‘National Retrofit Strategy’ to fund the upgrading of homes.

To create safe and sustainable housing, the use of Permitted Development Rights must be scrapped, and all building owners and users must begin to measure and understand how well or badly their buildings actually perform through Post Occupancy Evaluation.

Given current levels of economic uncertainty, architecture practices will need more than the new Job Retention Bonus scheme to help them survive over the coming months. We know from past recessions that demand does not return across the whole economy at the same time – support packages for business must continue to reflect this.”

Read the RIBA’s response to yesterday’s UK government funding announcement of £3bn to make homes and public buildings more energy efficient here.

7 July 2020 RIBA responds to Government funding announcement

Wednesday 7th of July 2020 – RIBA responds to Government funding announcement of £3bn to make homes and public buildings more energy efficient.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:

“It’s good to see the government bring forward a significant proportion of the £9.2bn pledged for energy efficiency and acknowledge the benefits this will bring to the economy and people’s health.

But this is just the beginning. We will continue to emphasise to policymakers the leading role chartered architects have in designing, coordinating and delivering a sustainable built environment.

We will also lobby for energy efficiency funding for the private rented sector, which includes much of the UK’s most energy inefficient housing stock. We look forward to seeing the details in the Chancellor’s update tomorrow.”

1 July 2020 RIBA President-Elect and Council Candidates

The RIBA has announced the five candidates standing for election as RIBA President-Elect, alongside nominations for seats on RIBA Council.

Following comprehensive modernisation of the RIBA’s governance structures, and in recognition of their vital contribution to the future of the RIBA and the architecture profession, RIBA student members are eligible to vote in elections for the RIBA President for the first time.

The RIBA President and RIBA Council members are elected representatives from the RIBA’s membership. RIBA Council, chaired by the President, acts as the representative body for the membership. It meets four times each year and is responsible for collecting insight from the membership and the profession, to guide the strategic direction of the organisation. RIBA Council oversees the RIBA’s new Board of Trustees, the majority of whom are Council members, including the RIBA President.

The candidates standing for RIBA President-Elect are:

• Simon Allford • Jude Barber • Nick Moss • Valeria Passetti • Sumita Singha

The candidates standing for National and Regional Council seats can be found here.

Digital voting for all seats opens on 14 July at 9am and closes on 4 August at 5pm. Results will be announced on 11 August.

Two digital hustings will take place on:

• 7 July (6-7pm) – open to all RIBA members and chaired by RIBA President Alan Jones. • 9 July (12.30-1.30pm) – open to RIBA Student and Associate members and chaired by former RIBA Council VP Student/Associate Albena Atanassova.

Successful RIBA Council candidates will commence their three-year term on 1 September 2020. The RIBA President Elect’s term begins on 1 September 2020, with their two-year term as RIBA President commencing on 1 September 2021.

30 June 2020 RIBA responds to Prime Minister’s ‘Project Speed’ announcement

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said: “I welcome the recognition for ‘urgent action’ from the Prime Minister and hope the announcements today are the first of many needed to address the shortcomings of the UK’s physical and social infrastructure.

However, I am extremely concerned by the proposal to enable even more commercial buildings to change to residential use without the need for a planning application. The Government’s own advisory panel referred to the homes created by this policy as “slums”. It is hard to reconcile the commitment to quality with expanding a policy that has delivered low-quality, unsustainable and over-crowded homes across England.

I urge the Prime Minister not to waste this opportunity and to re-build a more sustainable and resilient economy, ensuring that quality and safety remain at the heart of investment.”

18 June 2020 RIBA publishes COVID-19 recovery guidance

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today published guidance to help practices steer their route to recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and build future resilience.

The RIBA Recovery Roadmap is divided into three phases: Response, Recovery and Resilience. Each phase considers a series of actions that practices can take to respond to challenges across different areas of their business throughout this crisis and beyond. These range from stabilising finances and supporting staff wellbeing in the immediate term to planning to reopen the office and winning new work in the coming weeks.

The topics covered in each phase respond directly to concerns raised by RIBA members from all practice sizes across the UK.

RIBA President, Alan Jones, said: “Despite the economic uncertainty, practices must take proactive steps now to help alleviate challenges ahead.

Drawing on insights from experts and practitioners, this guidance has been created exclusively for members to guide key business decisions and adapt their strategies to be in the best position for the months ahead.

As we enter this recovery phase, it remains our priority to provide our members and practices with the support they need.”

11 June 2020 Future workloads remain uncertain – RIBA Future Trends May 2020

Thursday 11th of June 2020 – After dropping to an historic low of -82 in April, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index rose to -49 this month. And while 62% of architects expect their workload to decrease in the next three months, 13% now anticipate an increase, up from just 2% in April.

The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index also increased marginally by seven points, with 70% of practices saying they expect the level of permanent staff to remain the same over the next three months, 26% saying they expect levels to decrease and 3% saying they expect to increase.

The findings from this month’s survey also show: • Current workloads remain at significantly reduced levels – down 33% compared to May 2019. • 73% of respondents expect profits to fall over the next 12 months – within that, 8% consider that their practice is unlikely to remain viable. • 22% of architectural staff have been furloughed – an increase of 8% from April. • 1% of architectural staff have been made redundant; 1% have been released from a ‘zero hours’, temporary or fixed-term contract. • 38% of projects had been put on hold since the start of March. • 23% of projects which remain active are at stages 5 or 6 of the RIBA Plan of Work.

RIBA Executive Director Professional Services, Adrian Dobson, said: “The current pandemic and economic uncertainty are clearly continuing to impact both architects’ current workloads and their confidence about the future, with the majority expecting their workloads to decrease in coming months.

But while many participants continued to point to the serious recession ahead, some also began to reference glimmers of hope in the form of new enquiries and new commissions.

In these uncertain times, we are on hand, and will continue to support members and practices by helping them map routes to recovery and build resilience for future challenges.”

Members with concerns or queries are encouraged to email info@riba.org.

26 May 2020 Mental health concern grows – RIBA COVID-19 survey findings

Tuesday 26th May 2020 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings from its second COVID-19 survey of architects, revealing the impact of the pandemic on the profession.

Findings indicate the main concerns for people, practices and projects:

People

Mental health decline– 40% said their mental health had been affected (a significant increase from 23% in April); 20% felt isolated.

Working location– 74% said they were working entirely from home, a further 10% said they were working mostly from home.

Working from home difficulties– almost a quarter (24%) are caring for others and 13% said they have inadequate equipment.

Reduced income – 56% have reduced personal and/or household income.

Working patterns have changed – 15% said they had been furloughed and 27% said they were working reduced hours. 37% reported finding ‘new and better ways of working’.

Practices 

Economic impact – 58% reported fewer new business enquiries, 53% reported a decreased workload and 57% said they were experiencing a cashflow reduction.

Projects

Site closures– 60% said at least one of their project sites had closed.

Widespread project delays – 90% reported project delays, citing parties including clients, contractors, planning officers and building control officers.

Clients responsible for most project cancellations– 48% of decisions to cancel projects were made by the client.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said:

“Our latest survey findings show the continuing impact of the pandemic on the business of architecture and the wellbeing of architects.

We are particularly concerned to see a significant decline in mental health, with most having to deal with reduced incomes and many also juggling caring responsibilities with home-working.  As lockdown restrictions ease, construction sites re-open and we establish new ways of working, we must prioritise our health and wellbeing – and those of our employees and colleagues – and seek support should we need to. Practice leaders can help by promoting a healthy work-life balance.

We are here to help members navigate through and beyond this crisis. We are producing regular guidance in response to the profession’s key concerns and lobbying the Government to support the sector both financially and as a key client.”

Members with any concerns are encouraged to email info@riba.org for information and support.

An executive summary of the survey findings can be found here.

21 May 2020 RIBA calls for ‘decade of action’ with new report 

Thursday 21st of May 2020 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today published a new report revealing architects’ views on the climate emergency and showcasing exemplar applications of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

‘A Decade of Action: RIBA Members and the Sustainable Development Goals’ reveals the profession’s strong commitment to sustainable development and climate action, but also highlights that more progress needs to be made by architects, clients and the UK Government to raise the bar.

In a detailed member survey:

66% of participants said their organisation is committed to addressing the climate emergency.

Project Cost Constraints (79%) and Client Requirements (70%) were cited as the biggest barriers to building sustainably.

82% said their organisation believes the UK Government must legislate for higher standards.

70% said their organisation would welcome the Building Regulations mandating ‘zero carbon’ by 2030.

The second part of the RIBA report showcases best practice examples of how the UN Sustainable Development Goals can be embedded in projects, practices and schools of architecture.

It highlights schools which reference and discuss the SDGs, projects which apply and further the SDGs, and practices which base their entire business strategies on them – from business operations, to supply chains, to practice structure and projects themselves.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said:

“The findings of our survey – and best practice examples that follow – show that RIBA members are committed to transforming the built environment, but also that there’s progress yet to be made.

Architects, clients and policy makers understand the need for change, but even more collaboration is required to turn this ambition into action.

While the RIBA continues to lobby the UK Government to adapt the Building Regulations to meet the scale of our environmental challenge, architects are uniquely placed to lead the green recovery of the built environment post-pandemic. This means applying the Sustainable Development Goals consistently, and encouraging clients to do the same.

It’s time to kick-start a decade of action, sign-up to the 2030 Climate Challenge, and make sure we’re building a future that will last.”

The RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and outlines eight clear, measurable goals for projects of all scales, underpinned by specific design principles to achieve them.

14 May 2020 Workload expectations hit historic low – RIBA Future Trends April 2020

The latest RIBA Future Trends survey results show the worsening impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the architecture and construction industries.

During April 2020, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index dropped to an historic low, with a balance figure of -82 (from -11 in March). Architects’ workloads are 33% less than they were twelve months ago.

84% per cent of architects expect their workload to fall in the next three months with balance figures ranging from -80 for small practices to -100 for large practices.

All work sectors and all regions also showed a significant drop in confidence. The private housing sector fell furthest from -7 to -72; the commercial sector fell from -5 to -60 and the community sector fell from -8 to -50.

The Staffing Index also saw the largest monthly drop on record from 0 to -30 with 31% of practices (saying they expected to employ fewer full-time staff in the next three months. 68% said they expect staffing levels to stay the same.

Survey results also indicate:

39% of projects have been put on hold since the 1st March.

Of the projects that remain active, 21% are at stages 5 or 6 of the RIBA Plan of Work – so vulnerable to site restrictions.

14% of practice architectural staff have been furloughed.

29% of small practice staff (1 – 10 staff) are working fewer hours.

RIBA Executive Director Professional Services, Adrian Dobson, said:

“This is a crisis is like no other. While a reduction in architects’ confidence has previously been an early indicator of a contraction in the construction sector – because design work comes first – this time, work on site was immediately disrupted.

Workload recovery will depend on the speed and nature of our move out of lockdown, and on how much architectural and construction capacity has been preserved.

As the sector adapts to new ways of working, the RIBA will lobby for continued protection of jobs and businesses and push the Government to invest in the housing and public sector projects the country desperately needs. This also means harnessing the expertise of architects who have the skills to re-mobilise communities and enable safe returns to workplaces and school.

We will continue to advocate on behalf of the profession and ensure members have the guidance and information they need to navigate the coming weeks and months.”

Members with any concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak are encouraged to email info@riba.org.

11 May 2020 RIBA responds to Government’s coronavirus recovery strategy

The RIBA has responded to the Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “The recovery from COVID-19 will clearly not happen overnight. It will take time for architects to adapt to new ways of working and during this time the Government must continue to protect jobs and businesses.

Until the Government publishes specific guidance on how to safely re-open and operate workplaces, businesses cannot make tangible plans or provide their employees with the reassurance they need.

The Government must also help the sector build resilience against future challenges and invest in public sector projects the country desperately needs. It’s time to harness the expertise of architects who have the skills and expertise to re-mobilise communities and enable safe returns to work and school.”

23 Apr 2020 RIBA opens £30K funding scheme for architecture students

Thursday 23rd of April 2020 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has opened funding applications for five RIBA Wren Insurance Association Scholarships.

The annual scholarships are open to current students enrolled in the first year of their RIBA Part 2 course. A total of £30,000 will be available, with each recipient receiving £6,000 and the opportunity to be mentored by an architect member of the Wren Insurance Association throughout their second year.

The scheme, which was set up in 2013, has supported 35 recipients to date. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 26 May 2020.

RIBA Director of Education David Gloster said: “We are very grateful to the Wren Insurance Association for their continued generosity over the years and especially at this extremely challenging time. Many students are struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, and scholarships such as this are vital tools to support, reward and retain talent in our profession.”

Applicants can find more information about last year’s award winners and how to apply for this year’s awards here.

17 Apr 2020 Workload confidence plummets – RIBA Future Trends March 2020

The impact of the coronavirus crisis on architects is starkly illustrated by the March 2020 RIBA Future Trends survey results. As the approaching disruption to the profession became clearer, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index dropped an unprecedented 33 points to –11, the steepest fall in confidence on record.

Large architecture practices returned a balance figure of –20 (down from +60), medium practices were at –8 (down from +67) and small practices fell 28 points, to -10.

This sharp drop in confidence was recorded in most of the UK. London fell to -19 (from +23); the Midlands & East Anglia fell to -21 (from +29); the South of England went to -7 (from +6); and Wales and the West recorded the largest fall to -9 (from +43). The North of England was the only region that remained in positive territory, at +14.

All sectors fell into negative territory with the private housing sector being the most affected, dropping 21 points to -7. The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index also fell to 0 (from +8).

RIBA Executive Director Professional Services, Adrian Dobson, said: “Whilst concerns about the potential impacts of the coronavirus crisis had been building for many weeks, March was an obvious turning point. Many practices reported a sudden loss of revenue as the UK went into lockdown, construction sites began to close and new enquiries dropped off. New work was becoming sparse, advice to business from Government was sporadic and uncertainty grew. The profession is clearly bracing itself for the coming weeks and months.

As well as preparing for a potentially rough ride in the short term, architects need to plan for the future and be ready to respond when business picks up. The RIBA has developed our COVID-19 hub with a suite of information and guidance to best support all our members: on financial help, protecting staff, mental health and how practices can prepare themselves for the future.

We are in daily contact with the Government, advocating on behalf of architects to provide businesses with the security they need. We will continue to work hard on behalf of our members and encourage anyone with concerns or suggestions to contact us.”

6 Apr 2020 RIBA COVID-19 survey findings

45% report drop in personal income and almost a quarter struggling with mental health – RIBA COVID-19 survey findings.

The RIBA has today (Monday 6 April) published the findings from its COVID-19 survey of the profession.

Headline findings from the survey, which was completed by 1001 architects (83% RIBA members), revealed:

The business of architecture is under stress:

59% of respondents reported a decreased workload and 58% reported a decrease in new business enquires. This has led to a reduction in cash flow, with 57% of respondents already experiencing less money coming through.

A radical shift in normal working patterns:

81% of respondents are working entirely at home and around 70% of students reported that their campus had closed.

Significant project disruption:

79% reported project delays, 61% reported site closures, and over a third (37%) reported projects being cancelled. Only 5% of respondents reported no disruption.

Architects are under personal stress:

A third of respondents reported a drop in household income and 45% reported a drop in personal income. Almost a third also reported they had self-isolated with nearly a quarter (23%) reporting deterioration in mental health and 21% commenting they ‘felt isolated’.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said:

“The findings of this survey show how that COVID-19 is having a severe impact on architects, professionally and personally. For many architects, their work is more than a way to earn a living, and to see decades of hard work threatened by circumstances none of us can have foreseen is a disaster.

The RIBA remains committed to responding to the needs of its members, and will carry on providing the information, guidance and support they need so that architects can weather this storm.

We will continue to lobby the Government to protect the income of all affected architects, expand support schemes to cover directors’ dividends and shift economic policies to provide businesses with the security they need.

During this extremely unsettling time, I call on employers to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of their staff. This means enabling them to work from home flexibly where possible, and taking advantage of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme. The RIBA is currently asking the Government to give grants or expand capital allowances so that companies can purchase or rent computer equipment to make it easier for employees to work productively and collaboratively at home.

Above all else, we must all prioritise our own physical and mental health, and seek support if needed.

The RIBA will continue to guide and support the profession as we navigate through the coming weeks and months.”

An executive summary of the survey’s findings can be found here:

RIBA COVID-19 survey of the profession

26 Mar 2020 RIBA responds to Government’s new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme

Thursday 26 March 2020 – The RIBA has responded to the Government’s new scheme to support the UK’s self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “This scheme should provide long-overdue relief to self-employed people across the UK, but many will be seriously concerned about how they will manage their finances until the fund becomes available.

There are also a number of unanswered questions around the eligibility of those with newer businesses and some types of self-employment. We will be pushing the Treasury for clarity.

Almost a quarter of our Chartered Practices (sole practitioners) should be eligible to apply, but most need funds to tide them over now, not in two months’ time.

The challenge facing the Treasury is unenviably complex, but it needs to introduce some sort of interim financial support as a matter of urgency.”

20 Mar 2020 UK Government to ‘stand behind workers’ – RIBA responds

Friday 20th of March 2020 – The RIBA has responded to the Government’s latest financial measures including paying wages for workers facing job losses and deferring the next quarter of VAT payments.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “We are encouraged by the financial measures announced this evening and hope they will provide much needed support for practices to retain staff and manage cash flow. The RIBA is engaging with the Government on a daily basis and this latest package of support reflects proposals we put to the Chancellor earlier this week. We will continue to ensure the concerns of our members are heard, understood and acted upon.”

RIBA responds to Government’s latest package of financial support for businesses

Tuesday 17th of March 2020 – The RIBA has responded to the Government’s latest financial measures to shore up the economy against the coronavirus impact.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “We welcome the Government’s ‘unprecedented package’ of financial support during these unpredictable times, especially the extension of businesses eligible for loans. But more will be needed to support SMEs – most architecture practices – who are already feeling the pain of this pandemic. The Government must ease the cash squeeze faced by many practices and their clients, and provide clarity on how it will keep the planning system operating and construction sites open so that projects can progress.

We are writing to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Housing to outline the specific support required for architects. The RIBA will do whatever is required to ensure Government provides the support our members need.”

12 Mar 2020 RIBA responds to Government’s proposed changes to the planning system

The RIBA has responded to ‘Planning for the Future’ – the Government’s policy paper which sets out post-Budget plans for housing and planning.

RIBA Executive Director Professional Services, Adrian Dobson, said:

The latest changes to the planning system contain a number of significant proposals. We are pleased with the pledges to review current house building processes, connect the development of housing and infrastructure more effectively and make land ownership more transparent.

However, there is a fundamental contradiction between the Government’s professed commitment to quality and its plans to further expand permitted development. Current rules allow developers to create housing which fails to meet even the most basic spatial, quality and environmental standards. Rather than driving a ‘green housing revolution’, the Government’s plans to allow the demolition and replacement of industrial and commercial property with housing under permitted development would make it easier to build the slums of the future.”

11 Mar 2020 RIBA reveals designers of 2020 summer installation

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (Wednesday 11 March 2020) announced Charles Holland Architects, together with multi-disciplinary artist Di Mainstone, as the designers of the summer installation at RIBA’s landmark HQ building in central London.

Responding to the theme of ‘Power’, the installation will be on show from 28 May to 12 September 2020.

Part architecture, part experience, this collaboration will combine an architectural installation with a multi-sensory performative element. Through theatrical devices, playful soundscapes and sculptural objects, it considers the power relations unspoken within the architectural plan. The arrangement of space – the architectural plan – informs how we move though buildings, what rooms we are allowed into and what we do in them. Transforming the layout of the gallery space, visitors are invited to explore how forms of power are expressed and performed in architecture.

The proposal was chosen, following an open call, by the a curatorial panel consisting of: Marie Bak Mortensen, Head of Exhibitions, RIBA; Margaret Cubbage, Curator Exhibitions, RIBA; Owen Hatherley, writer and critic; Luke Casper Pearson, Lecturer at Bartlett School of Architecture and part of selected practice You+Pea for the 2019 installation; and Catherine Yass, artist.

RIBA Head of Exhibitions & Interpretation, Marie Bak Mortensen, said: “The curatorial panel was overwhelmed with the ambition and breadth of the submissions to this year’s Architecture Open and it was far from an easy task to narrow down 67 entries to one. Combining the skills of an architect with those of a multi-disciplinary artist will bring new tactile experiences to the RIBA Architecture Gallery, while highlighting the intangible power of one of the fundamentals of architecture: the plan. We look forward to revealing this experiential installation in summer 2020 and inviting visitors to explore how architectural drawings prescribe and define our spaces.”

The installation will be on display alongside a programme of talks and events during the London Festival of Architecture (LFA).

For more details: https://ift.tt/31iUOgs

RIBA responds to 2020 Budget

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “Given ongoing concerns about the impact of coronavirus, and the predominance of SMEs in our industry, it is positive to see specific support in the Budget outlined for smaller businesses and employers.

The significant spending on affordable, safe homes and infrastructure announced today is welcome, though arguably a decade overdue. To meet ambitious housing targets, we need to work on building high-quality, safe and sustainable homes.

We will continue to urge the Government to spend public money wisely, and ensure that every penny delivers real long-term value for communities as well as our economy. Social value must be at the heart of all procurement processes and spending plans.”

UK’s approach to trade negotiations with the US – RIBA responds

Monday 2 March 2020 – The RIBA has today responded to the UK Government’s policy paper setting out aims for trade negotiations with the United States.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said:

“Today’s announcement that the UK will be seeking a Free Trade Agreement with the US that includes the recognition of professional qualifications is a promising development for architects.

The RIBA has been calling on the Government to secure a transatlantic trade deal that supports architecture – as one of the UK’s world-leading services – through fair access to the US market and increased opportunities for professionals to operate overseas. We will continue to make this case as talks commence.”

American Embassy Building London – former US Embassy in Mayfair: photo © Adrian Welch

27 Feb 2020 EU and UK Trade Negotiating Strategies Response

‘A step in the right direction’ – RIBA responds to EU and UK trade negotiating strategies

Thursday 27 February 2020 – The RIBA has responded to the UK Government’s ‘Future Relationship with the EU’ and the European Union’s ‘Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations’.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “It is positive to see the European Union and UK Government’s negotiating strategies align regarding the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) – both agreeing this must be part of our future trade deal. This deal will affect goods, such as construction materials, and services, such as architecture. But most importantly, it will affect people across Europe, who rely on the architecture sector to design high-quality, safe and sustainable buildings.”

27 Feb 2020 RIBA publishes comprehensive new Plan of Work

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today published the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 – the definiteive guide for the design and construction of buildings.

For the first time, the RIBA Plan of Work includes a Sustainability Project Strategy which provides actions and tasks aligned with the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide for each project stage. These range from appointing a sustainability champion to carrying out Post Occupancy Evaluation.

The updated document responds to detailed feedback from the construction industry. New additions include a section comparing the Plan of Work to international equivalents and nine Project Strategies including Fire Safety and Inclusive Design.

RIBA President, Professor Alan M Jones, said: “The RIBA Plan of Work continues to be an extremely relevant and highly effective tool for the construction industry. This new version reflects the huge environmental and societal challenges we face – as a planet and an industry. As chartered architects, we have a responsibility to ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe and sustainable environments; and the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 is our essential, definiteive guide for doing so.”

The RIBA Plan of Work 2020 and RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide have been developed to support the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, an initiative to encourage RIBA Chartered Practices to achieve net zero whole life carbon for all new and retrofitted buildings by 2030.

21 Jan 2020 RIBA responds to CPRE report on new housing design

Tuesday 21 January 2020 – “As RIBA architects highlight daily and this report emphasises, the design quality of new housing developments is simply not good enough. This is a problem for people who need new homes now. The solutions available to government are clear: increased resourcing, better design skills within local authorities, and a clear planning framework that upholds standards.

It is also vital that permitted development rules, which allow developers to sidestep basic safety and sustainability standards are scrapped. Without these changes, the country will continue to store up further issues for the future.”

Alan M Jones, RIBA President

16 Jan 2020

RIBA News 2020 – architects workload trends

The impact of Brexit uncertainty on construction – RIBA reveals 2019 trends

Thursday 16 January 2020 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today published its monthly summary of business intelligence, alongside a commentary on the stand-out trends reported by architects throughout 2019.

In 2019, Brexit uncertainty had a significant impact on the architecture profession and the wider construction industry.

Monthly workload predictions were extremely volatile. In the second half of the year, as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit grew closer, the Index fell; from a 2019 high of +9 in June, to a negative figure for three of the final four months of the year. In October when crashing out of the EU looked like a real possibility, the Index stood at -10, the lowest balance score since 2011. Architects consistently described heightened client caution: with a reduction in project enquiries; projects being put on hold or failing to move past early design stages; and downward pressure on fees.

The differing levels of optimism between practices in the north and south of the UK was another consistent trend. Architecture practices in London and the South of England were far less positive about their future workloads, a sentiment shared by smaller practices, wherever they were located. Larger practices, and those in the North of England, felt consistently more positive about securing long-term work.

RIBA Future Trends – December 2019 report

In December 2019, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index sat at -2 – slipping back into negative territory for the final month of the year.

Small practices (1-10 staff) were most negative about future workloads – returning a balance figure of -6 – while medium (11-50 staff) and large-sized practices (51+ staff) remained positive, returning a combined balance figure of +38.

London fell into negative territory (dropping from zero to –18) along with the Midlands & East Anglia who fell from -6 to -13. The South of England held steady at zero whereas practices in Wales and the West and the North of England remained level and positive, returning balance figures of +14.

The private housing sector saw the biggest rise to +2 following three months in negative territory (the longest run since 2009) and the community sector rose slightly to -3. The commercial and public sectors both remained negative, falling back one point each to -5 and -4.

The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index remained steady, with a balance figure of +2 in December and the anticipated demand for temporary staff in the next three months increased to +2. 22 per cent of practices said they were personally under-employed in the last month, due to a lack of work.

RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis, Adrian Malleson, said: “2019 Future Trends data consistently emphasised the impact of Brexit and political uncertainty on the construction industry. Reports of postponed projects, downward pressure on professional fees and skills shortages were prevalent, alongside a reluctance from clients to invest in building projects.

Larger practices and those in the North of England tended to be more optimistic, suggesting a shift in the focus of activity away from London and the South in 2019. It was also a year which saw an increase in larger firms looking beyond the UK for work.

After an extended period of volatility, and with a new government in place and more clarity on plans to leave the EU, there are glimmers of growing confidence in the profession, with some practices starting to report an increase in enquiries. Our Chartered Practices are resilient and adaptable to challenge. We look forward to presenting their predictions over the coming months.”

14 Jan 2020

RIBA News & Events in 2020

RIBA launches open call to design experimental installation for Architecture Gallery

Deadline for entries: 13 February 2020

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is inviting architects, architecture students and creatives to design a temporary installation at the RIBA’s HQ building in central London, to coincide with the London Festival of Architecture (LFA).

Responding to the Festival’s theme of ‘Power’, the installation will be on show from 28 May through to September 2020.

The ‘Power’ theme is open to interpretation, with no prescribed brief. For example, submissions could take the form of a built installation, a set of architectural sculptures, sound pieces or a film.

Architecture Open is an annual opportunity for creatives at all stages of their careers to develop an artistic and architectural installation. The proposal can be an existing project or idea, however evidence of experimentation, thought-provoking ideas relating to the theme and imaginative thinking around audiences are encouraged. Clear consideration of material and construction methods should also be expressed, especially in relation to best practice in sustainability. Architects and architecture students are welcome to develop collaborative ideas with artists or designers.

RIBA Head of Exhibitions & Interpretation, Marie Bak Mortensen, said: “In its five-year history, the RIBA Architecture Gallery has commissioned architects and designers to present their ideas in critically acclaimed exhibitions, including Assemble, Pablo Bronstein, APPARATA, Giles Round, Sam Jacob Studio and Pezo von Ellrichshausen. The 2020 theme of Power is a pertinent and broad one which will no doubt encourage a range of responses, and I look forward to seeing the breadth and quality of the proposals submitted this year.”

The project budget is £25,000 plus a £4,000 design fee (excluding VAT).

The project is open to all RIBA Members, Chartered Practices and architecture students (for whom membership is free).

3 Jan 2020 Delivering Sustainable Housing and Communities Event

Date: Wednesday 29th January 2020

Location: Central London, England, UK

Join the Westminster insight’s Delivering Sustainable Housing and Communities Forum, which will feature key figures from government, energy and local authorities.

The forum will discuss innovative new methods in the planning, designing and building of sustainable housing stock that meets the environmental needs of future generations.

Hear from RIBA 2019 Stirling Prize Winners, Mikhail Riches Architects, who will be sharing insight into their pioneering project for Norwich City Council which delivered almost 100 highly energy-efficient homes.

Confirmed speakers:

• (Chair) Barry Goodchild, Professor of Housing and Urban Planning, Sheffield Hallam University • Lord Best, Social Housing Leader, House of Lords • James Harris MA MSC, Policy and Networks Manager, Royal Town Planning Institute • Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Association • Mikhail Riches Architects *RIBA 2019 Stirling Prize Winner* • Emma Fletcher, Chair, Swaffham Prior Community Land Trust • Anthony Probert, Programme Manager, Bioregional • Stewart Clements, Director, Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) • Dr Steffie Broer, Director, Bright Green Futures • Rene Sommer Lindsay, Urban Designer and Strategic Advisor, R|S|L|ENT • Simon Tilley, Director, Hockerton Housing Projects

We will also explore how innovative new materials, systems and technologies will contribute to meeting 2050 net-zero targets.

What you will learn:

• Explore regulations, planning and future funding for sustainable housing development • Discuss the role of planning and design for a resilient homes future • Deliver on carbon reduction targets for housing in line with 2050 net-zero targets • Review practical case studies which are contributing to the achievement of a more sustainable housing environment

View the full agenda https://ift.tt/3kdpTum

Secure your place https://ift.tt/3grr5s5

Forum details:

Wednesday 29th January 2020 08:30 – 13:25 Central London

Codes:

VHGV1O-1241058 for 1 delegate place (10% off) VHGVZO-1241058 for 2+ delegate places (20% off)

Codes will expire at 9pm, 9th January 2019.

RIBA News 2019

RIBA News & Events 2019

RIBA Summer Installation 2019

RIBA London Events information from RIBA

Location: 66 Portland Place, London, UK

RIBA Events Archive

RIBA Events 2018

RIBA Annie Spink Award 2018

National Museum of African American History and Culture building: photo © Darren Bradley

RIBA Exhibition on Perspective

Building Britain’s Ideal – RIBA Discussion

RIBA News in London

RIBA News & Events 2017

RIBA London Events – Archive

RIBA HQ at 66 Portland Place

RIBA Gold Medal for Architecture

Chartered Institute of Building

RIBA Awards

RIBA Stirling Prize

RIBA Honorary Fellowships

London Architecture Events

AA School Events

Bartlett School of Architecture Event

Comments / photos for the RIBA News & Events for 2020 page welcome

Website: London

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