RIBA President Elect Alan Jones spent four days in the South West in recent weeks as he visited the RIBA Wessex and RIBA South West regions to take part in university shows, meet members, and engage with our regional partners.
On 23 May, Alan arrived in Plymouth visiting Stride Treglown’s city studio meeting RIBA Plymouth co-chairs Sarah Lee and Nick Morris, and other directors and architects at the practice. Alan then headed to Falmouth to take part in the RIBA Cornwall/Cornwall Architectural Trust Summer Lecture featuring Amin Taha of Groupwork. Alan introduced himself to the 106 attendees, and took part in the Q&A. Alan then visited the Falmouth University architecture course degree show opening and presented prizes.
The following day, Alan headed to New County Hall, Truro for a forum with Cornwall Council and RIBA Cornwall members talking about the positive engagement programme between the local architects and officers. Alan was able to see how active local RIBA members and a proactive unitary authority can make positive change. Alan then met a group of RIBA Cornwall members over lunch at the Old Bakery in the city.
On 6 June, Alan visited Bristol taking in Atkins’ multi-disciplinary studio in the north of the city and being treated to a demonstration of the innovative technology Atkins use in their Tech Lab. Alan met more RIBA members over lunch before heading to UWE Bristol where he took part in the wrap-up event for the RIBA Student Mentoring Scheme at the university. Alan spoke at the opening of the UWE Bristol degree show and prizes – including RIBA prizes for Part 1 and Part 2 courses.
The following day, Alan headed to Bath to visit Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCB) where he talked to the whole FCB team on his plans for his Presidency, as well as meeting other architects based around the FCB Old Brewery complex.
Alan then met a group of RIBA members over lunch in Bath city centre before heading up the hill to University of Bath for a tour of the degree show portfolios and an interview for Facebook. Alan introduced himself to the assembled students and architects at the degree show opening as he presented the RIBA prizes for BSc and Masters of Architecture.
Alan becomes RIBA President on 1 September 2019.
