The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is a champion of Architecture and the Built Environment in Scotland. It supports the interests of its growing membership, united through its six regional Chapters, to promote the importance of well-designed buildings and places.
RIAS is a registered charity run by, and for, its members.
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The Martin Jones Scholarship Award was established by The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (the RIAS) following a bequest under the Will of Martin Jones in 1993 and is open to students and graduates of the University of Dundee.
The winners of the 2023 Architecture and Design Scotland and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Scottish Student Awards for Architecture have been announced.
The winning projects included ideas on how to reuse materials from redundant buildings, resolve our industrial past, how communities can connect to the land through architecture and why cities have to be fun to be sustainable.
There has never been a more vital time for the RIAS and its members to be active in Scotland’s conversation about architecture and the built environment.
RIAS has a unique role to play by applying the creativity and experience of its members across Scotland to help individuals, communities and businesses to develop a higher quality, more sustainable built environment that will stand the test of time.
This new 5-year strategy “Creating space for inspiring conversations” seeks to open up and widen dialogue. It has been shaped by our members, all of whom are active in communities across Scotland. They are effective collaborators; and share a passion for buildings and places that can bring important economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits.
Download the strategy
The RIAS Practice Department tackles legal and contractual issues, commissioning, fees, appointment arrangements, insurance problems, dispute resolution and legislation as well as monitoring the work of other industry bodies. All of this feeds back into CPD for architects.
The RIAS Practice Department offers advice and information to interested parties such as clients, other construction professional bodies, trade associations, MSPs, the Scottish Government, Local Authorities as well as gathering essential statistical information about the profession. The Practice Department also advises on dispute resolution.
Gordon Bain is an architect and Project Director at Glasgow-based MAST Architects. Whilst working primarily within the residential sector, MAST have a cross-sector reach which encompasses conservation, care and community projects. This varied body of work demonstrates a common aim to promote sustainable design principles and deliver people-centred solutions with demonstrable benefits to end users. This case study examines the approach taken on a recent supported-living project for East Ayrshire Council, marrying delivery of a specialised brief with an evolving operational Net Zero energy strategy. The RIAS Practice Department is grateful to Gordon Bain and MAST for sharing details of this project in Practice Information.
It has been a busy year so far for the publication of planning related guidance and consultations. Provided below is a summary of recent items of interest. Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods In April 2024 guidance was published by the Scottish Government on Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods, which supports Policy 15 of NPF4. Draft guidance was consulted on in Summer 2023 and the final version has taken account of the themes made clear by the consultation responses and independent analysis. The guidance aims to help those with key roles in delivering local living such as planning authorities, communities, and businesses.
Practices will no doubt be aware that the UK's Church Buildings face an uncertain future. The Scottish Churches Trust launched an appeal last year calling for volunteers to help in a Church Recording Project, to develop a permanent record for local churches facing closing. See Practice Note OS234: Scotland's Churches Trust – Church Recording Project, Call for Volunteers. The Scottish Civic Trust, also last year, published a re-print of their 'New uses for former church buildings' guide aimed at those considering the re-use of vacant or disused church buildings. The Community Ownership Support Service, Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland jointly issued a guidance document, 'Your Church, your community', to assist communities considering church ownership. For details of this see Practice Note OS2311: New use for Church Buildings. The National Churches Trust launched a new campaign earlier this year called 'Every Church Counts'.
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Whatever the size of your building project, it makes sense to consult a professional. Architects offer unrivalled training and experience in the design and construction of buildings. Architects provide a service that extends well beyond producing a set of drawings. Adept at identifying the aspirations and needs of their clients, architects will bring their special skills, knowledge and experience to a project.
The RIAS offers a wide range of services for members of the public and organisations to help them commission a chartered architect or practice for their building project. These include:
Information about Scottish architectural practices and their recent projects. Use the "Find an architect" search below to find an architect near you or one that specialises in a particular building type.
If you’re planning an alteration, extension or a new-build, the Client Advisory Service is here to help you through the process of commissioning an architect, including advice on appointment documents, building permissions and work stages. In the unlikely event of a dispute arising with your architect, the RIAS can advise.
The RIAS can also provide lists of architects who are specialists in the fields of conservation, sustainability and energy design certification.
The RIAS Consultancy has over 25 years' experience in managing design competitions and other quality-based processes for selecting design teams. We work with both the public and private sectors and projects range from community buildings to high-profile and iconic structures.
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The combined RIAS/RIBA Awards demonstrate the quality and breadth of current architectural endeavour in Scotland. Projects represent the very best of urban and rural projects, from small hours to large public buildings.
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The RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award’s objective each year is to find and celebrate the best building in Scotland. The architects of the winning building receive the RIAS Gold Medal and a cash prize, making this one oft the most significant architecture awards in the world.
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Our Student Awards, in tandem with Architecture & Design Scotland, are an annual highlight – marking the vigour of Scotland's architectural schools and the tremendous talent of our student members. The future of architecture is in their hands – and certain to be both careful and invigorating.
view RIAS/A&DS Student Awards
Architects make a unique and far reaching contribution to the built environment. Their designs should be responsive to social, cultural and environmental issues, utilising the rich potential of science and technology to achieve quality in the design of spaces, forms and details. For architects to play this effective and rewarding role, a great deal of skill and knowledge are required.
Becoming a Student member of the RIAS is the first step towards your professional career. RIAS Student membership is free to all architectural students studying at one of the five schools of architecture in Scotland.
If you are interested in a career in architecture or want more information about one of the Scottish architectural schools, browse the dedicated section for students.
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