Dear Western Region Colleagues
My principle goal in standing as Western Region representative in the forthcoming RIAI Council elections is to represent you, my Western Region colleagues. To give you a strong Western voice in a very Dublin centric Institute. I will work on your behalf to get your viewpoints heard in a professional yet strong manner.
As one of those instrumental in setting up the BRegs Forum website, I have been vocal in my opposition of S.I. No.9 of 2014 with the sole purpose of obtaining a better Building Control system for Ireland. As a UK trained architect (I am still registered with ARB and a Chartered member of RIBA), I have extensive experience of the UK Building Control system. And although far from perfect I believe the UK Building Control system still gives a better way forward than the current legislation under S.I.9.
Even if my own viewpoints may differ from your own, I will give a balanced, unbiased voice to Council on your behalf addressing the key problems the Institute are currently facing, including:
• BC(AR) 2014 including Architectural Technologists & self-builders
• Uniting the profession rather than dividing it
• The marketing of the profession in competition against engineers & surveyors
• The problems practices are facing in maintaining architecture as a viable business
• Governance
• Registration
I therefore ask for your vote in order to represent you and hope to continue the successful representation of RIAI Western Group members as undertaken by our colleague, John Ruane, who is stepping down after three years
Yours faithfully,
Mark Stephens
BA(Hons) DiplArch ARB RIBA CPHD MRIAI (Conservation Accredited Grade III)
Mark Stephens is a UK trained, registered and Chartered architect with the ARB and RIBA and has worked for several high-profile UK Architectural Practices. He gained membership with the RIAI in 2006 following his move to County Mayo to self build his own home for his family. He runs his own Practice, Mark Stephens Architects from Foxford, County Mayo. Mark is also a Certified European Passive House Designer with the Passivhaus Institute.
Mark is a prolific blogger, using social-media extensively and was shortlisted for the Blog Awards Ireland and Be2Awards for ‘Best Use of Twitter in Construction’
Mark has been in business over 25 years in a variety of different sectors and understands the problems and requirements of the small-medium architectural practice.
I am an accessible person and welcome your input; I can be contacted on 085 159 4084 or info@markstephensarchitects.com
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Reblogged this on Mark Stephens Architects and commented:
In case you missed earlier, I’m standing as candidate as Western rep for RIAI Council in 2015, please share/RT
Mark, though I have decided that the RIAI, having rejected my applications to join them in the past and having offered no assistance whatsoever to progress my career, are no longer of interest to me, I would hope that some new organisation will come about to represent architecture professionals. You might be able to play some part in that.
I feel that genuine interest in architecture is not at the top of the RIAI agenda, and that a re-birth is required- into a form that reflects our world as it stands, including the technological advances that are progressing in information and delivery of buildings, and the ever higher standards expected of the profession.
For what it’s worth, I support your efforts.
Regards, Paul Lee
Hi Paul
Thanks for the support; that’s a real shame you feel disenfranchised from the RIAI, do you think you’ll ever reconsider your position?
Mark
The changes would require such an extraordinary turnaround at the core of the organisation. I am so angry with the way I’ve been treated I don’t know if it’s reparable.