About the AIA Conference
The AIA Conference on architecture and design is the annual gathering for the AEC (Architecture Engineering Construction) in America. It mixes a number of keynotes, lectures, and talks from a diversity of voices in the entire AEC industry with an exhibition packed with 500+ brands, a diverse range of experts, project-changing ideas, and pioneering solutions.
This year's conference’s theme was uniting to solve today’s challenges. The most impactful, forward-thinking solutions result from a convergence of thought. Solving today’s environmental, social, and ethical challenges requires bringing together diverse perspectives across the multiple disciplines of the built environment.
A RIBA delegation led by RIBA President Muyiwa Oki, RIBA Chief Executive Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick, Partnerships Manager Emmanuelle Meunier, and Director of Strategic Development North America Catherine Clark, attended.
About the AIA/RIBA collaboration
The AIA and RIBA have a long history of collaboration that dates from the founding of their institutes in 1857 and 1834 respectively.
RIBA and the AIA renewed their longstanding partnership which remains fundamental to our work to support professional growth and the development of our members worldwide.
RIBA networking reception and US-UK MRA celebration
On Wednesday 5 June, RIBA hosted a networking reception in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade (UKDBT), in the Pavilion of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in DC. The aim of this event was to celebrate the strength of our bilateral relationship in light of the UK-US Mutual Recognition Agreement for architects’ licensure which came into effect last spring.
This was the first event of its kind that RIBA has hosted in the US and we were delighted to be joined by many local RIBA Members and chapter chairs of RIBA-USA along with the AIA members from around the world and international leaders in architecture, construction, diplomacy, and business. The event aimed to promote and showcase architecture, architects, and their built-environment peers from both sides of the Atlantic.
The event included speeches from our key allies and host;
Valerie Vaughan-Dick welcomed guests and noted the historic nature of the event during the AIA’s annual conference. Valerie mentioned how both institutes share a common goal to champion the highest standards in architecture globally and RIBA’s commitment to strengthen ties with the AIA.
She also made reference to the continued support to our members living and working in the US, through the appointment of Catherine Clark, who is stepping down as RIBA-USA President to take the new role of RIBA Director of Strategic Development in North America.
Allyson Browne McKithen, Executive Director WTC Washington DC, the venue host, welcomed everyone to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (RRBITC) and spoke to the shared global perspective of RIBA, architects in general, and the World Trade Centers, which operate in 90 countries.
Rachael Bishop, US Country Director, UK Department for Business and Trade, mentioned the benefits of international mobility, the strength of bilateral agreements such as the UK-US MRA, the business opportunities that it has and will bring.
Kimberly Dowdell, AIA President, talked about the on-going collaboration between both institutes and the opportunities for AIA members through the MRA.
Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President, addressed RIBA Members living and working in the US, and thanked the RIBA-USA chapter chairs from around the country who volunteer their time to further the reach of the institute.
We are very grateful to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center team for graciously hosting us in such a fitting venue, as well as the speakers, and to all the guests who attended.
RIBA MRA session
During the Conference itself, the RIBA organised an educational session titled UK/US Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA): 13 months later
In February 2023, the UK's Architects Registration Board (ARB) and the US's National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), making it easier for US architects to work in the UK and vice-versa.
Historically, registering or getting a license in the country you didn’t qualify in was difficult, time consuming, and expensive. There is now, a smoother and faster process.
International architects bring a wealth of design skills and market knowledge that help to drive creativity and innovation. Architecture practices in both countries had much to gain through the agreement – by sharing knowledge, skills and expertise, both the UK and US can prosper.
This 90-minute panel discussion aimed to look at what happened since the MRA’s implementation and learn more about the benefits and opportunities the MRA brings to individual architects and their practices.
The session was moderated by Patricia Ramallo, Assistant Vice President International Relations NCARB, and we heard from four speakers who are RIBA and AIA Members, and shared their experience of studying and registering in one country and practising in another, going through the MRA process in the US and the UK, the reasons why they decided to move countries, what it means to be registered/licensed in another country, and the opportunities the MRA brings to them.
- Prova Zaman-Haque, Project Architect – MV+AArchitects
- Glenn Harmon, Architect – Castria via video
- Catherine Clark, RIBA-USA President, RIBA Director of Strategic Development, North America
- John McAslan, CBE, Partner – John McAslan + Partners
Takeaway
Prova: “As a Bangladeshi female immigrant, I represent two underrepresented groups in the architecture field. It’s important for young architects and designers to have people to look up to and learn from, who look like them and understand their struggles. I am excited for more diverse generations of architects to continue to grow in the profession and fill leadership positions.
In a world where the voices of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) need to continue to make an impression, I’m looking retrospectively at my own journey—to share the barriers and boosters of my own path and increase the number of minorities in my industry. I have recently been helping graduates in U.K. and U.S. with their resumes, portfolios, and walking them through the interviewing process for jobs. I feel a sense of pride in being able to show myself as an architect to a range of students from different backgrounds, so they are also aware of the different types of architects who are out there.”
Catherine: "As a British Architect who has lived and worked in the US for many years and having lobbied for reciprocity since 2016, this seminar is a great opportunity to reflect thirteen months on from the signing how reality meets expectations.
The majority of the beneficiaries of the MRA are individuals. From the UK to US perspective, with a US license, British architects are finally having the many years of education and experience recognized in their adopted country. This means we can call ourselves architects and apply for jobs at a higher level and finally stamp and seal our own drawings.
This automatically has a cascading effect on job opportunities and wages, both of which will increase as a result of having a locally recognized license. This is such a boost for one’s professional and therefore personal standing.
At the practice level, I have heard from principals of American registered architectural firms who had until now only had their UK license. Without a US license, they legally could not be equal partners in their own firms here in the US because you need to be a locally licensed architect to be a partner. With a US license they can now be full partners and therefore equal shareholders in their own companies.
And at the C-Suite level of large International firms, the entire C-Suite must hold a US license and in some instances, they must all be licensed in any state the company is working in. So having access to the MRA affords greater mobility and reduces legal constraints across all scales of practice.
This of course all works reciprocally for US architects living and working in the UK which is why it is so great to hear from Glenn.
As lead consultants trying to make meaningful progress in the efforts to decarbonize our built environment, having the opportunity to share knowledge and skills from one country to another is critical. The MRA is a blueprint for, and a good first step towards creating partnerships and international cooperation within our profession."
John: "While UK architects enjoy successes in international markets, the MRA will transform opportunities for UK architects to develop collaborative arrangements in the US, while for US architects, unquestionably, this Agreement will open up fresh opportunities to transfer their skills to the UK market across multi-sectors."
Tips
Glenn’s advice to US architects looking to relocate to the UK: "Start by securing a position in a suitable firm and working for a period of time to learn the subtleties of practising in the UK, before applying to take the UK Adaptation Assessment."
RIBA-USA Board meeting
The Board of RIBA-USA, the members of RIBA living and working in the US, were hosted at the offices of Gensler Washington DC for their first in-person meeting. Chapter chairs flew in from Phoenix, San Francisco, Wisconsin, Florida, and New England to attend and meet their colleagues for the first time face to face.
RIBA CEO, Valerie Vaughan-Dick, and President, Muyiwa Oki, were guests and participated in a round-table discussion about the view for architects in our respective areas of the world. It was fascinating to hear about the similarities and differences being faced by our industry on either side of the Atlantic.
In attendance
- Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President
- Valerie Vaughan-Dick, RIBA CEO
- Catherine Clark, RIBA-USA President, RIBA Director of Strategic Development, North America
- Tony Thornton, RIBA-USA Northwest Chapter Chair and host
- Faisal Mohsin, RIBA-USA Washington DC Chapter Chair and Secretary
- Phil Allsopp, RIBA-USA Southwest Chapter Chair and International Council Rep, Americas
- Rob Dennis, RIBA-USA Florida and Southeast Chapter Chair
- Chris Rute, RIBA-USA Midwest Chapter Chair
- Frank Mruk, RIBA-USA New England Chapter Chair
Pro-Series – A dialogue with Kimberly N. Dowdell and Muyiwa Oki: Navigating architecture, sustainability, and equity
On Friday 7 June, during an interview moderated by Lee Bey, architecture critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, and member of the Sun-Times editorial board, RIBA President Muyiwa Oki and 2024 AIA President Kimberly N. Dowdell talked about the state of architecture in both countries, their goals and priorities as Presidents, how to achieve these, the historical nature of both Presidencies in terms of race and gender, and how the generational change can/will help them achieve their goals.
The recording of this interview will be available soon.
Other activities
Meeting with Presidents of International Institutes were also organised between RIBA President, CEO and Partnerships Manager and their counterparts, to discuss matters of mutual interest and possible collaboration.
30-minute meetings were organised with:
- Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
- Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA)
- Conselho de Arquitetura e Urbanismo do Brasil (CAU/BR)
- Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)
- Japan Institute of Architects (JIA)
- Africa Union of Architects (AUA)
Muyiwa received Presidential Medals and Honorary Memberships from the American Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Architects
The AIA International Presidents Forum which is a roundtable discussion about how organisations and members work with local leaders, what challenges we encounter in our cities, and the innovative solutions we have developed.
Topics covered included:
- the most important issues facing cities in each country
- whether architects have an official role, like a Chief Architect, in local governments in our country?
- how do architects and our institute shape local policies related to the profession, built environment, and climate?
- how have architects been successful in creating positive change in communities, and how can these successes be replicated?
- what are ways that we can collectively elevate the role of architects within communities?
