RIBA Ethical Practice Guide
The climate and biodiversity emergency, the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and rising inequality all serve as reminders of the ethical responsibilities of the architect, and the importance of ethical decision-making. Ethical practice is a core competence for architects, which means it is vital that students and professionals develop a fundamental awareness and understanding of ethics.
This guide is designed to improve the industry’s grasp of ethical practice as it relates to the wider world, society, clients, the workplace, the profession, and the individual.
Aimed at architects, but relevant to built environment practitioners more generally, each chapter introduces an ethical duty, setting out the relevant legal, regulatory, and professional context before exploring the detailed subject matter and key principles. It includes an ethical dilemma for each duty and views and experiences from across the profession.
Also delving into issues such as equity, diversity and inclusion, social value, wellbeing, and integrity, it does not seek out ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. Rather it encourages reflection on core values and possible consequences to encourage balanced and reasoned positions.
While ethical practice is invaluable in itself, it is also critical for establishing trust with clients, improving transparency and enhancing reputation. It can act as a magnet for the attraction and retention of high-quality staff. Contributing positively to the avoidance of disputes, it can also provide a level of accountability that is beneficial both to the industry and wider society.
Including contributions from: Neal Shasore, Farhana Yamin, Justin Bere, Jan Kattein, Darius Jenner Pullinger, Virginia Newman, Dhruv Sookhoo and Ben Channon.
Carys Rowlands is a barrister (unregistered) and Head of Registration & CPD at RICS. She is former Head of Professional Standards at the RIBA. Carys’ work for the RIBA involved professional conduct issues, dispute resolution services, specialist accreditation, conservation and heritage, and ethics in architectural practice. Carys has written publications in collaboration with the UN Global Compact, including Ethics in Architectural Practice. She was the staff lead for the RIBA Ethics and Sustainable Development Commission and has delivered CPD on ethical practice for the RIBA and independently for universities and schools of architecture.
Alasdair Dixon is a founding Partner of Collective Works, co-ordinator of the Architects Climate Action Network and a Trustee of Architecture for Humanity UK. He has long held a commitment to finding a better way for architects to balance the needs of the wider world with the needs of their clients & stakeholders. During his career he has advised on ethical issues within a large established practice, an architectural charity and in the day to day running of a small practice.