Practice Feed

The Building Safety Regulator has published updated guidance for Gateway Two submissions, clarifying documentation requirements and assessment criteria for higher-risk buildings. Architects involved in major residential projects should review the new guidance to ensure compliance.

On 21 June 2024, the Building Safety Regulator published updated guidance for Gateway 2 submissions under the Building Safety Act. The guidance details the documentation and competence evidence required for higher-risk building projects, impacting project timelines and compliance.

Auto-published update: Legislation.gov.uk

ARB has launched a major consultation on reforms to professional practical experience, running until April 2026. The proposed changes would transform how trainees gain and evidence their competence.

The most significant changes to UK architectural education in 50 years are underway. ARB is replacing the traditional three-part structure with a flexible, outcomes-based framework. Here is what stays, what goes, and the timeline for transition.

From 1 January 2025, all practicing RIBA Chartered Members must pass the RIBA Health and Safety Test as part of CPD obligations, covering fire safety, structural safety, and the Building Safety Act.

The Building Safety Act gateway process for higher-risk buildings is now fully operational. Architects must obtain Gateway 2 approval before construction commences on any building 18m+ or 7+ storeys.

The Planning Portal has begun rolling out its new digital application service, aiming to streamline submission processes and improve validation rates. Architects should be aware of new form requirements and interface changes, which may affect how planning applications are prepared and submitted.

RIBA has published updated guidance on Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements for chartered practices, reflecting recent market changes and risk management expectations. The update clarifies minimum cover levels, exclusions, and reporting obligations, which may affect practice insurance re...

The government's sweeping construction products reform represents a seismic shift for architects and the supply chain. Two-thirds of construction products currently unregulated will face new general s

On 19 June 2024, the Planning Portal updated its guidance on Biodiversity Net Gain, clarifying the application of new statutory requirements for planning applications in England. This affects how architects must address biodiversity in design and planning submissions.

The legal system of England and Wales draws its authority from multiple sources including common law developed through judicial precedent, Acts of Parliament, delegated legislation, and human rights instruments. It operates through a hierarchical court structure ranging from Magistrates' Courts at the base to the UK Supreme Court at the apex, alongside a parallel tribunal system for specialist disputes, with the whole divided between criminal law, prosecuted in the name of the Crown, and civil law governing disputes between private parties. The system has no codified constitution, resting instead on accumulated statutes, conventions, and common law principles, and is underpinned by three core doctrines: parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.

The Professional Case Study is the largest and most demanding piece of work in the Part 3 qualification. Its purpose is not to tell the story of a project, it is to demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, understanding and professional judgement required of a qualified architect.

The Technology and Construction Court has delivered a sharp reminder about payment compliance. A case involving retailer Lidl found that construction contracts calculating final payment dates by refer

The construction industry faces a contractual watershed moment. The Joint Contracts Tribunal has withdrawn its venerable 2016 contract suite as of March 2026, leaving only the 2024 edition available f

The Architects Registration Board has finalised its 2026-30 strategy with continuing professional development taking centre stage in raising competency levels. The regulator commits to using evidence

The Architects Registration Board has unveiled its 2026-2030 corporate strategy committing to review the effectiveness of title regulation and explore alternative models. This follows months of debate

RICS has introduced the world's first mandatory professional standard for artificial intelligence use in surveying practice, effective from March 9, 2026. The global standard imposes binding obligatio

Britain's architects face a tangle of well-meaning reforms that may deepen the very muddle they seek to resolve. Britain's architects face a crucial decade. Whether reform brings clarity or compounds confusion depends less on the merit of individual proposals than on the coherence of their implementation.

Key project management principles and tools for delivering architectural projects on time, on budget, and to quality standards.

Winning work, building client relationships, and growing your practice through strategic business development.

Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in architectural projects and practice operations.

Practical guidance on fee calculation methods, negotiation strategies, and ensuring fair payment for architectural services.

Essential steps and considerations for architects looking to establish their own practice, from legal structures to business planning.

With the ARB and RIBA seemingly parting ways on education, it is time for them to come together for the good of everyone and make sure that there is absolute clarity in architectural education.

ARB's new Competency Outcomes framework underpins all the education reforms. This guide explains the five competency areas, how they are assessed, and what they mean for architectural education.

A practical guide to which architectural qualifications are currently prescribed, which are transitioning, and what this means for students and practitioners in 2026.

An overview of how UK architectural qualifications are recognised internationally, the mutual recognition frameworks post-Brexit, and opportunities for UK graduates in global markets.

Research on innovative learning environments draws on the OECD 2013 framework, exploring implications for educational building design and the architectural workplace as a learning environment.

How robust project briefing leads to better building performance, social value, and successful client relationships — a guide to RIBA Plan of Work Stages 0 and 1 briefing activities.

A comprehensive guide to the main UK procurement routes — traditional, design and build, construction management, and management contracting — with guidance on selecting the right route.

A plain-English guide to employment rights of Part III students and early-career architects: contracts, working hours, study leave, pay equity, and recourse for rights violations.

Drawing on OECD job quality research and PASEO findings, this article examines the structural drivers of mental health challenges in architectural practice and available resources.

The PASEO project led by Alastair Blyth provides the first empirical evidence base on employment conditions, well-being, and workplace culture in UK architectural practice.

A breakdown of all 10 ARB Professional Criteria for Part III with guidance on evidence and competencies expected in the professional interview and written submissions.

Expert guidance on selecting your case study project, developing a critical analytical framework, and crafting a submission that meets the RIBA and ARB professional criteria.

Comprehensive guidance on completing the PEDR effectively — from quarterly record sheets to the reflective experience summary — with practical advice for Part III students.

Overview of recent updates to Building Regulations including the 2022 changes to Approved Documents B (fire safety) and L (energy efficiency) and their practical design implications.

The ARB Architects Code was completely updated in September 2025, replacing the previous 12 principles with six core standards. Here is what every architect needs to know.

A comprehensive guide to the Building Safety Act 2022 covering the new regulatory framework, principal designer duties, the golden thread of information, and the three-gateway regime.

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% now applies to the majority of planning permissions in England. Architects must integrate BNG assessments into the design process from the outset.

The Phase 2 Report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry was published September 2024. Its extensive recommendations for architects and the construction industry will shape regulation for years to come.

ARB has launched a comprehensive review of the Architects Code (2017), seeking views on modernising professional standards including equality duties, digital practice, and sustainability obligations.

The revised NPPF published December 2024 restores mandatory housing targets, introduces a new grey belt land category, and strengthens requirements for beautiful and well-designed places.