Peter Jackson has joined the list of RIBA Fellows for 2021. RIBA Fellow Members are inspirational Chartered Members who have made a real contribution to architecture and the community. What makes a Fellow of the RIBA is not set in stone – the RIBA looks for inspiring figures that can represent the diversity, talent, and dynamism of architecture and the built environment. The attributes that lie at the heart of RIBA Fellow Membership are positive contributions to architecture; from working with poorer communities in your own country to designing infrastructure abroad, and the desire to support, influence, and affect change.
Fellows of the RIBA are ambassadors for the profession and RIBA community, with membership providing a profile and platform to continue to affect change and celebrate architecture as Peter Jackson has been doing over the last several years in the UAE and Africa. Incidentally, this year Peter also celebrates 50 years at the RIBA as he joined the institution as a student member in 1971.
Invited to join HH the Ruler’s Office, Sharjah, Peter successfully initiated the ‘Heart of Sharjah’ masterplan, established a professional Historic Buildings Unit within the Heritage Department, prepared a Historic Buildings Register and oversaw the restoration of Sharjah Souk, including archaeological survey and partial reconstruction, successfully maintaining its traditional life and vitality.
Peter has long contributed to the development of the UAE as well as Africa. Notable projects include designing and helping establish the Garden Trade School in Lusaka, Zambia, providing training for employment where it was most desperately needed, and designing and implementing essential new growth point infrastructure with appropriate markets, bus shelters, and public toilets throughout rural Zimbabwe, in the aftermath of its war for independence. He actively furthered local architectural education within the Zambia Institute of Architects and as Chairman of the Architects Council of Zimbabwe registration body, coordinated Part 3 professional training and examinations.
He has contributed extensively to numerous architectural publications and has won several prestigious awards including a 2016 Education Building of the Year Award, and a 2019 Agha Khan Architecture Award with X-Architects Wasit Wetland Interpretative Centre, for which he was client Architect Advisor.
Peter is a founding member and Hon. Treasurer of the RIBA Gulf Chapter the RIBA member-led entity that supports other RIBA members in the region. Peter has also been instrumental in setting up the RIBA Gulf Office one of the Institute’s first international offices in Sharjah, UAE securing both its legal recognition and premises.
