Core curriculum topic: Architecture for social purpose

To help you gain the skills you need to practise architecture now and in the future as a RIBA Chartered Member, we have defined 10 mandatory core curriculum topics to address through CPD.

The topic Architecture for social purpose helps you understand the social value, economic, and social benefits architecture brings for individuals. The topic covers improving life changes, social identity, cohesion, and wellbeing. It also addresses having the knowledge and skills to make informed, fair, and ethical choices and influence the project team and supply chain.

Architecture for Social Purpose (including RIBA Ethical Practice Knowledge Schedule *)

This competency potentially covers:

Background

The positive impact of architecture and the social value and economic and environmental benefits it brings for individuals and communities – improving life chances, social identity and cohesion, and well-being. (In light of the growing focus on ethical practice and professionalism, this knowledge schedule aims to be a framework for the exploration of ethical thinking, reasoning and decision making within architecture and architectural practice, and collects the issues that RIBA Chartered Architects will be expected to understand under the RIBA mandatory competence in Ethical Practice.)

*Ethics in practice

History and definitions
Recognising an ethical issue
Virtue Ethics / Social Contract Ethics / Duty Ethics / Utilitarian Ethics
Defining behaviours - Codes, Regulations, Sanctions and Best Practice
The Public Interest - How it is defined and who is responsible
The six duties

*Duty to oneself

The Codes of Conduct and Practice
Principles and values
Competence
Continuing Professional Development
Pro Bono work
Corruption

*Duty to the profession

The Codes of Conduct and Practice
Reputation and Value
Respecting previous appointments
Copyright and Credit
Whistleblowing
Research, POE and Building Performance
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (including the RIBA Inclusion Charter) (see note below)

*Duty to those in the workplace

Employment Law
The Codes of Conduct and Practice
Company culture
Respecting colleagues
Managing practice
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (including the RIBA EDI Policy Guide)

*Duty to those commissioning services

The Codes of Conduct and Practice
Lay clients
Experienced private clients
Public Sector clients
Confidentiality

*Duty to society and the end-user

Building Regs, Housing Standards and Planning Policy
The Codes of Conduct and Practice
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (including bias and discrimination)
Health and safety
Modern Slavery
Community Engagement & Regeneration
Social Value and Social Responsibility
Rights of Future Generations

*Duty to the wider world

The Codes of Conduct and Practice
The Climate and Biodiversity emergency
Sustainable and Regenerative design
Supply Chains
Rights of Nature

*Resolving ethical issues

Core values
Decision making
Lifelong learning
Independence
Advocacy

Equality Act 2010 and the protected characteristics

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership (in employment only)
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion and belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

Cultural intelligence (CQ™) competence: a note

The capability to work and relate effectively with people who are different from you
The framework of behaviours required if you want to be inclusive of all.
CQ stands for Cultural Intelligence Quotient, as it’s a measure as well as an improvable skill

The motivation to engage with different cultures (CQ Drive). Your level of interest, persistence and curiosity when working and relating with those who are different to you.
Gaining an understanding of core differences in lived experience (CQ Knowledge). Your understanding about how groups and individuals are similar and different.
Thinking critically about your motivations and the knowledge you’ve gained (CQ Strategy).Planning, self-awareness and checking assumptions.
Behaviour that is flexibly appropriate for different cultural settings (CQ Action). Your ability to adapt when relating and working in a variety of contexts.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion competence: a note

Diversity is the mix of visible and invisible difference. These characteristics go beyond those identified in the Equality Act of 2010, and includes everything, from socioeconomic background, to neurodiversity and where you live etc. the list is not exhaustive.

Inclusion is the culture where people feel their different perspectives, identities, styles and needs are respected, valued and taken into account.

Equality is about everyone getting the same, which works if you’re all at the same starting point, but that’s not the case in society more generally. There are many groups that are discriminated against and underrepresented in workplaces and professions. Equity speaks to ‘equality of access’ based on your needs, and making up for historic imbalance.

Developing an inclusion action plan

Commitment to inclusion and diversity on a micro and macro level

Fostering Understanding and Conviction – people understand why they’re being asked to make an inclusive change
Role Modelling – people see others acting inclusively
Developing Talents & Skills -people have the training and the opportunity to behave inclusively
Supportive Formal Mechanisms – structures support inclusivity e.g. Inclusive recruitment, inclusive marketing and communications, procurement, and supplier diversity

Outreach

Non-executive role in the third sector
Charity movements in architecture
Giving your skills to your place of worship
Soft or technical skills you gain from volunteering.
Volunteer your time and skills
Understanding your role as a mentor
Secondary school and sixth form engagement

Find CPD on this topic

You must take two hours of CPD on this topic every year.

Find RIBA accredited CPD on Architecture for social purpose through RIBA Academy.

Related courses include:

Podcasts, videos, articles, and other offers can also contribute towards your CPD requirements.