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The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
Special Notice
The RIAS office has been closed but the RIAS staff will continue to respond to members' requests, priorities and activities. Current arrangements can be viewed via the news article below.
For the latest information and advice regarding the coronavirus, take a look at the below bulletins and our Q&A which will be updated regularly.
ARB has developed some initial guidance for those on the Register.
Read the Architects Benevolent Society's COVID-19 Statement here.
Latest coronavirus news
18 March 2020
UK Government / Scottish Government Business Advice
This business readiness bulletin for trade associations, business representative bodies and business intermediaries provides important information for you and your business members and networks on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Updated 6 April 2020.
Welcome to
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
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.
learn more about the RIAS
Find an architect
Latest news from RIAS
18 March 2020
UK Government / Scottish Government Business Advice
This business readiness bulletin for trade associations, business representative bodies and business intermediaries provides important information for you and your business members and networks on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Updated 6 April 2020.
20 February 2020
RIAS Presidential and Council Elections 2020
Call For Nominations
"I am pleased to announce that we are seeking candidates for President to lead the RIAS in 2020-21 alongside 5 RIAS Council Incorporation Representatives.
The nominations process is now open. Please don’t be shy about putting yourself forward or suggesting candidates for these roles.
There has never been a more vital time for the RIAS members to be active in Scotland’s conversations about architecture and the built environment. I believe, championing how architects address the climate emergency, help to unlock barriers to practice and provide the leadership to ensure chartered architects skills and expertise stay relevant are essential to the success of our work.”
Robin Webster RIAS President 2018-20
11 December 2019
Design team revealed for Balerno learning hub
Loader Monteith and Sarah Jane Storrie have won the RIAS-run procurement process to design a new Learning Hub and Outdoor Centre at Harmeny School, Balerno.
The tender, which was let in August, saw Loader Monteith and Sarah Jane Storrie selected following a two-stage process.
9 October 2019
Norwich council estate named UK’s best new building – 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize WINNER
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has this evening (8 October 2019) named Goldsmith Street in Norwich, designed by Mikhail Riches with Cathy Hawley, as the winner of the 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize. The annual prize, presented since 1996, is awarded to the UK’s best new building.
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Latest tweets
Tweets by RIASmembershipCreating spaces for inspiring conversations
RIAS Strategy 2019-2024
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
For Practices
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.
Latest Practice Notes from RIAS Practice Services
FI2010
Data Protection: Guidance for Architectural Practices
Practices have contacted the Practice Department at the RIAS after receiving letters from the ICO inviting data controllers to register in relation to the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data Protection (Charges and Information) Regulations 2018, together the Data Protection Legislation, all of which came into force on 25 May 2018.
31 March 2020
SC204
Stained glass windows; the quinquennial inspection – What to look for?
This paper has been written by Moira Malcolm, managing director of Rainbow Glass Studio LTD, and Mylène Vigneron, conservator at Rainbow Glass Studio LTD. It was presented by Moira at the RIAS seminar ‘Climate Change, Conservation and Conservative Repairs’ which took place on 29th of October 2019. This article will tackle the quinquennial inspection by focusing on what to look for when inspecting stained glass windows. The RIAS are indebted to Moira and Mylène for preparing this informative article for RIAS Practice Information.
18 March 2020
view more information about RIAS Services for Practices
Working with an Architect
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:
The RIAS Directory of Architectural Practices and Projects
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.
The RIAS Client Advisory Service
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.
Specialist Skills
The RIAS can also provide lists of architects who are specialists in the fields of conservation, sustainability and energy design certification.
RIAS Consultancy and Design Competition Service
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.
view services for the public
Abbotsford Visitor Reception Building, Melrose – LDN Architect
© Paul Zanre
Architectural Awards in Scotland
RIAS Awards
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.
view RIAS Awards
RIAS Doolan Award
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.
view Doolan Award
RIAS / A&DS Student Awards
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
Drifting City / Venice
Douglas Tullie, Ben Watson, Phoebe Yu – Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
© Douglas Tullie, Ben Watson, Phoebe Yu
For Students
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.
view more information about RIAS Services for Students
Contacting Us
Address
15 Rutland SquareEdinburgh
EH1 2BE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 229 7545