Groups

RSUA members who have any questions about a group or who want to get involved can contact the group chair directly, or contact Jude Faloon at the RSUA office by emailing jude@rsua.org.uk or phoning 028 9032 3670.

BIM Task Group

Chaired by Peter Monaghan, the RSUA BIM Task Group was formed in June 2017 to provide constructive feedback to the Construction Procurement Delivery (CPD) on the operation of BIM and to examine the benefits of an architectural guide similar to the BSRIA BG6 Guide. 

BIM Task Group Chair Peter Monaghan monaghanp@src.ac.uk

Membership and contact details

Meeting frequency and pre-arranged dates

• 1pm on 11 February 2020
• 1pm on 8 April 2020
• 1pm on 16 January 2020

Brexit Task Group

RSUA formed the Brexit Task Group to address the impact of Brexit on architects in Northern Ireland. Chaired by Paul Crowe, the group is formulating RSUA’s response to the potential of a no-deal Brexit and consider other scenarios.  The focus will be on individual architects, architect practices, students and clients. 

Brexit Task Group Chair Paul Crowe paul.crowe@toddarch.co.uk

Membership and contact details

Early Career Architects Forum (ECAF)

RSUA established this forum to address issues affecting those within the early stages of their architectural career. Chaired by James Grieve, the Early Career Architects Forum supports architects in Northern Ireland in their first ten years of practice; consecutive or otherwise and provides a platform for the society’s newest members to engage on matters specifically pertaining to the development of early career architects.

ECAF Chair James Grieve James.Grieve@consarc-design.co.uk

Headline purpose

• To identify the views of recently qualified architects within the profession and establish common concerns
• To propose steps to remedy any prevalent issues pertaining to the development of recently qualified architects
• To promote better engagement between RSUA and its newest members
• To facilitate a well-connected network of recently qualified architects and promote the advancement of design excellence within similar professional bodies

How will this purpose be achieved

Organising events to support learning for recently qualified architects through specifically targeted CPD events and workshops. Seeking and identifying opportunities for creative outputs specifically for recently qualified architects, including architectural competitions. Organising social and professional development events with similar professional bodies, including RICS, NI Young Planners, NI Construction Group Future Leaders, ACE Progress Network etc.

Public benefit

A strengthened network of early career architects helps to broaden the discourse of quality within the built environment in Northern Ireland. Increased engagement between RSUA and its most recent members strengthens the promotion and maintenance of a high standard of professional qualification, leading to better architecture for the public in Northern Ireland.

Meeting frequency/pre-arranged dates

The Early Career Architects Forum will meet quarterly, primarily at RSUA, 2 Mount Charles Belfast, BT7 1NZ. Other meetings will be scheduled as required between the standing meetings.

Involvement

RSUA members wishing to be considered for membership of this forum should contact Jude Faloon jude@rsua.org.uk. 

Engagement

If you or your organisation wishes to engage with the Early Career Architects Forum please contact Jude Faloon jude@rsua.org.uk. 

Value of an Architect

Chaired by Jane Larmour, RSUA established this group in December 2018. The remit of this group is to:

• Articulate the value that a chartered architect brings to a project for a client and for wider society. This will build on work already undertaken by other bodies.
• Consider the distinction between the value provided by a chartered architect and the value provided by an architectural technologist or unqualified designer
• Differentiate between the value proposition for smaller domestic projects and large commercial/public sector clients

Value of Architect Chair Jane Larmour jane@alwarchitects.com

Membership and contact details

Find out More

Read updates and relevant news articles relating the Value of an Architect Subgroup here

Architects regulated by law

Women in Architecture

On Thursday 26 June 2019, RSUA Women in Architecture was launched to provide support and inspire women working as architects and women aspiring to work as architects.  Aisling Shannon Rusk will lead the Women in Architecture sub-group and it is intended that the group will provide a network for women architects to share their experiences, learn from and support each other.

Women in Architecture Chair Aisling Shannon-Rusk aisling@studioidir.com.

Headline purpose

To support and inspire women working as architects and women aspiring to work as architects. 

How will this purpose be achieved

• Provide a network for women architects to share their experiences, learn from and support each other
• Celebrate women in architecture and enhance their visibility, including promoting female role models, for example through an online presence
• Identify barriers faced by women who want to work in architecture and focus on proposals to remove those barriers
• Facilitate mentoring opportunities for women architects
• Develop proposals, for employers and employees, that will help anyone seeking to return to work as an architect following a career break
• Engage with other relevant working groups
• Host events led by women architects but open to all

Public benefit

A more gender-balanced and diverse architectural profession will be better at attracting and retaining the best talent leading to better architecture for the public in Northern Ireland.

Meeting frequency/pre-arranged dates

We anticipate this group will meet 5 times per year at RSUA, 2 Mount Charles Belfast, BT7 1NZ. We also hope to organise seasonal open studio visits throughout the year across Northern Ireland hosted by female architects.

Involvement

RSUA members wishing to be considered for membership of this group should contact Jude Faloon jude@rsua.org.uk. 

Find out more

Read some of the latest updates and relevant news articles relating to RSUA Women in Architecture here

RSUA Women in Architecture meet for the first time

RSUA Women in Architecture Practice Visit to Caroline Dickson Architects 23 October 2019

RSUA Women in Architecture and Early Career Architects event: Sis by Six Routes through Architecture

Engagement

If you or your organisation wishes to engage with the RSUA Women in Architecture, please contact Jude Faloon jude@rsua.org.uk. 

Senior Luncheon Club

The Senior Luncheon Club meet for lunch on the first Tuesday of each month at RSUA. The current chair of the group is Clive Henning. If you would like to attend a Senior Architects Group lunch event, please contact jude@rsua.org.uk.