History of RIBA and CIAT
The Institute of British Architects in London was formed nearly two-hundred years ago, in 1834, and was granted its charter three years later, renaming itself as the Royal Institute of British Architects. They were founded by a handful of prominent architects of the 19th Century, primarily for “the general advancement of Civil Architecture”.
Over the years since its incarnation, RIBA has played a key role in promoting architectural education within the United Kingdom, especially during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Key achievements include establishing the Architect’s Registration Council of the United Kingdom and the Board of Architectural Education both of which were important boards relating to the qualifications of architects.
RIBA is a member organisation with several regional offices across the United Kingdom, serving 44,000 members who upon becoming chartered, can call themselves chartered architects and gain the post-nominal of RIBA. This is one of RIBA’s primary functions nowadays along with running several competitions and awards within the architectural world for buildings and architects worthy of distinction.
Another main role is operating the British Architectural Library on behalf of its members, who get free admission. It is now one of the three largest architectural libraries in the world, despite starting out with only donations from members in 1834. The enormous collection is made up of books, archives, photographs as well as architectural models and drawings from history.
RIBA states one of its main focuses as promoting architecture, which it does through exhibitions of the libraries artefacts and by working together with institutes such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, with the aim of promoting the enjoyment of architecture to the public. An example of a legislative focus which RIBA is currently working on is bringing British minimum space standards to be more in line with the rest of Europe.
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists is the qualifying body for architectural technology as a subject as well as representing practicing architectural technologists. Similar to RIBA, as an organisation which is owned and run by its members and an administrative team all activities are directly for the benefit of its members around the globe.
Their goal is not dissimilar to RIBA, “to promote, for the benefit of society, the science and practice of Architectural Technology.” Their main focus currently is to assist with the integration of technology into the industry in order to improve the standards of practice being delivered by architect’s firms. Upholding high standards across the industry is CIAT’s overarching mission, be that the level of education being provided or the competence and conduct of its members. This is why it serves as an accrediting body for Architectural Technology courses at Universities and elsewhere.
Bibliography:
RIBA's official website and information - https://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Home.aspx - (Accessed last on 6th February)
CIAT's official website and information - http://www.ciat.org.uk/en/the_institute/about-ciat/index.cfm- (Accessed last on 6th February)
Victoria and Albert Museum information - http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/v/vam-riba-collections/- (Accessed last on 6th February)
RIBA Logo - http://www.isleofwightsociety.org.uk/content/S635905247782108162/RIBA-Logo2.jpg - (Accessed last on 7th February)
CIAT Logo - http://www.ptal.co.uk/assets/news-images/News-2015/_resampled/CroppableImage_0016477321140-CIAT.jpg- (Accessed last on 7th February)
