RIBA's Core CPD Programme 2023 is up and running and is now accepting bookings for 10 on-demand Core CPD modules.
Each CPD session aligns with one of the 10 mandatory RIBA Core Curriculum CPD topics, with members able to choose to cover all of their core curriculum CPD requirements through the RIBA’s on-demand programme.
In addition to on-demand content, booking a module gives free access to a live ‘In conversation with’ Q&A session, allowing members to ask questions and engage with speakers – check live session dates.
What are the CPD modules available?
Ethical practice: Constructing sustainable communities
Looking through an ethical practice lens, Carys Rowlands, Head of Registration & CPD at RICS and a former Head of Professional Standards at RIBA, and Elisa Engel, co-founder of Citizen Architects, examine the role of architects and their duty to society in the delivery of sustainable communities.
The module takes a broad definition of sustainability, considering finances, society, and the environment. Using real world case studies, Dixon looks at potential barriers and obstacles the architect faces and successful projects where they were overcome. There is also a contribution from Alasdair Ben Dixon, founding partner at Collective Works and a former member of the RIBA’s Ethics and Sustainable Development Commission.
Health and life safety: Communication and coordination
This module aims to prepare architects for the RIBA Health and Life Safety competency test and give them an understanding of the contribution of CDM Regulations and the Building Safety Act to the delivery of safe buildings, including project handover.
Presented by Sarah Susman, an architect with 20 years’ experience in CDM and safety issues, the focus is on the communication and coordination of health and life safety project requirements.
Essential skills: Dispute management in the face of escalating costs
In the context of increased costs and longer delivery times, this module from Kathy Gal, a member of RIBA's Panel of Adjudicators, examines how architects can understand and navigate issues affecting appointments and how they can take a proactive approach to mitigate potential issues. Examples will look at opportunities and risks within the Plan of Work stages.
The Building Safety Act – the evolving picture for architects
From April 2023, there will be a six month transitional period for new duty holders under the act to establish themselves and adjust to the new guidelines. The new Principal Designer function and role at organisational and individual levels will need to be established, and RIBA is preparing the way for training, appointments, and integration.
Fire safety and CDM specialist Paul Bussey focuses on the skills, knowledge, and experience required by architects to prepare for the process. This module will be supplemented with four free of charge one hour CPD sessions delivered live online from Paul Bussey throughout the year to provide the latest and most relevant information as the act evolves.
Procurement essentials: Procurement futures driven by collaboration
Navigating the latest procurement and contracting trends, this module will give architects the confidence to talk to clients about value-led procurement. Emerging and embedded policy – including Public Procurement Regulations, the Social Value Procurement Policy Note, and the Construction Playbook – will be explained.
Ellie Jenkins, Partner at consultant Akerlof, and Terry Stocks, former Deputy Estates Director and Head of Capital Projects at the Ministry of Justice, also look at modern contract options such as Two-Stage Open Book, Cost Led, Integrated Service Delivery Teams, and Project 13.
What else is in the RIBA CPD programme?
Climate literacy: Energy and carbon
Designed to give practitioners a roadmap and set of tools for delivering low/zero energy/carbon buildings, this module helps RIBA Members prepare for the RIBA Climate Literacy competency exam. Mina Hasman, who leads on sustainability at SOM, also looks in depth at the RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge targets and how they can be achieved.
Inclusive environments: adaptive reuse and diverse legacies
Inclusive environments need to go beyond provision for people with physical disabilities. Gillian Burgis-Smith, architect and neurodiversity campaigner, explains the concept of neurodiversity and the constraints and behaviours it can impose on people’s experience of the built environment.
The module introduces strategies for adaptive reuse, enabling existing environments to be more inclusive without the need for specific accommodations and adaptations.
Planning essentials: a toolkit for preparing planning applications
Architect-Planner Colin Haylock bases this CPD course on his recently published RIBA Good Practice Guide - Making Successful Planning Applications. The focus is on keeping the design development process aligned with planning policies and guidance at national and local levels in order to engage more effectively with local planning officers.
Understanding the legislative framework for heritage and listed buildings
Catherine Croft, Director of the C20 Society, explains what architects need to know about heritage organisations and policies, the implications of the designation status of a building or site, and how to negotiate with local authority conservation officers, Historic England inspectors, and local and national amenity groups.
Materials systems and structures innovation: the promise of biomimicry
Architect and educator Maria Vogiatzaki introduces biomimicry – the simulation of natural processes – and its evolution in architecture. She explains how designers are becoming empowered by bio-inspired toolkits for the environmentally conscious management of lighting, heating, ventilation, water capture and storage, and toxic materials.
For further information on how to book Core CPD Programme 2023 modules, including club ticket and pay-as-you-go ticket options, go to RIBA Academy.
Text by Neal Morris. This is a Professional Feature edited by the RIBA Practice team. Send us your feedback and ideas.
RIBA Core Curriculum topic: Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance.
As part of the flexible RIBA CPD programme, professional features count as microlearning. See further information on the updated RIBA CPD core curriculum and on fulfilling your CPD requirements as a RIBA Chartered Member.
