No wonder RIBA’s election was a one-horse race
Harry Rich’s Radio 4 clutter conversation may explain architects’ reluctance to stand for president
Two reasons for the apparent lack of interest in being the next RIBA president — once regarded as architecture’s most prestigious role — are time and money. Architects must be thankful that Stephen Hodder, the only one to throw his hat into the ring, can afford to take two years out — or three if you add the year in waiting. He will make a decent and committed president. But if the lack of candidates continues, it’ll strengthen the arguments for reducing the duration and remuneration of the role.
The third reason is less easy to fix: the institute’s influence has waned. The president no longer has a hot line to ministers or sits at the top table. This is not entirely its own fault.
Government is not interested in architects but is the RIBA doing enough to address that? It has just published its bim overlay for the Plan of Work — the first change for 50 years — but a BD survey on bim adoption says the institute has done too little too late.
However, the president’s role is public-facing. To be effective it must use the media, and there can be few more influential platforms than the Today programme.
On Wednesday morning the RIBA’s chief executive Harry Rich and a “clutter fairy” were discussing lack of storage in new homes. It was the light item after a debate on Greece and the future of the Eurozone.
The chief executive — why an administrator is representing the RIBA is puzzling — talked about research that reveals a serious lack of cupboards in new homes as well as sockets. Food, we learnt, is being stored in the boot of the car and there’s no space for a Hoover.
It was not clear why this promoted architecture or what the RIBA plans to do about it.
It was excruciating to listen to, but as an example of why no one wants to stand for president it was perfect.
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Readers' comments (10)
why have I never seen the RIBA President on BBC's Question Time, or similar high profile events that engage the interest of the people?
At least Harry Rich got himself on the radio. Where's Angela?
Brady did a TV kryptonite performance on that rubbish homes remodelling programme that channel 4 showed a few years ago.
Radio 4 piece was certainly banal, but why didn't anyone correct the ultra naff sounding 'reeba'- sounds like some cheap clothing line, this is becoming increasingly prevalent in lieu of R.I.B.A.? Not that I have any allegiance to the head in the sand RIBA, it just sounds terrible!
Regrettably, this is indeed the nub of the problem, Amanda. It is no longer sufficient to be a "respected practitioner" as Graham Morrison has styled Hodder. The role has become increasingly outward-facing, in inverse proportion to the public perception of the profession. The RIBA needs to actively solicit a President who will satiate the media's desire for glamour, celebrity and sound bites. Images of Hodder looking tired, a little dishevelled and clearly over 50 (as appeared in BD's story today) do nothing to ingratiate the profession with a less-than-sympathetic public.
Equally, it would have been better for Harry Rich to avoid talking lightweight and outside of his comfort zone, rather than push us inadvertantly yet further into the mire. By comparison, would the chief executive of the Law Society talking on Radio 4 about how to respond door-to-door salesmen? I think not.
It would be fabulous to think that, in our hour of need, a reluctant statesman will rise from the ranks and save us. But since it won't happen, maybe the RIBA should simply recruit one, just like any other business.
Oh, and push the chief executive back into his administrative office.
Surely the problem relates to the constant changes in president. The RIBA should instead be able to put forward a media savvy chief exec or dedicated spokesperson who is able to represent the organisation over a long term period and build up a public profile. The elected president should have more of a figurehead/ceremonial role. Two years is simply not long enough to develop a proper profile.
Wasn't there talk of nominating a non-architect for the presidency a few years ago? I seem to remember Rogers proposing a woman candidate with relevant management and strategic experience.
What's obvious is that RIBA remains poor at getting any kind of message across to either thr media, government or the public.
So, forget Stephen Hodder. Let's have Stephen Berkoff in the chair.
"The chief executive — why an administrator is representing the RIBA is puzzling"
Not if you accept that the RIBA is actually a registered Charity, and not a professional institute.
We don't need the RIBA at all.
A President should be able to stand up visibility, like a Poet Laureate, and speak of the core values of Architecture, this should be above the levels of sheer style, and the nations' professionals should be able to treat this appointment on an artistic level and not a political one. They should have something new and fundamental to offer debate and representation. Mostly archicture should be of a continent kind, not incontinent which might egress on the peripherals. Without Continent Architecture there will be no RIBA or institution, and I believe that it might be such an aspect as this which is deeply affecting the image of the profession and any prominent candidates for President.