The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a blog post on the four new guides to the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) 2024 contract suite, published by RIBA Publishing. The guides cover the Standard Building Contract, Design and Build Contract, Intermediate Building Contract, and Minor Works Building Contract. Each guide explains relevant provisions, procedures, and conditions by subject, outlines the contractual duties and powers of the parties involved, and addresses common contractual issues that may arise during a project, with reference to recent legislation and case law. They also highlight changes introduced in the 2024 contract editions, such as sustainability requirements and early dispute notification procedures. Additionally, the guides incorporate recent case law developments on topics such as design liability, concurrent delay, practical completion, and liquidated damages. A comparative analysis of JCT, NEC4, and RIBA Building Contracts is also included. The blog further outlines key changes to the four contracts since the 2016 JCT editions.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the final set of horizon scans in its Horizons 2034: Technological Innovation series. This set comprises four scans that consider the impact of technological innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), on the built environment and the practice of architecture. These scans address the topics of innovation strategy, digitalisation in design, automation in construction and architecture in the age of AI.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings from its monthly Future Trends Survey, assessing business and employment trends affecting the profession. The report shows that while architects expect future workloads and staffing levels to fall overall, this has reduced slightly from last month and larger practices appear more optimistic.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its formal response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report, accepting its findings. RIBA reviewed the report and responded to the recommendations within its remit, focusing on regulatory, structural, and operational aspects. The response also identifies areas not addressed in the report, such as procurement processes and client decision-making.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work in an effort to provide support anyone in the design of newbuild, retrofit or refurbishment projects with implementing smart building technology. The Smart Building Overlay introduces smart building terminology and is applicable to projects of all scales and scopes.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published an overview of its specialist overlays and guidance that are available to architects. RIBA's six Plan of Work overlays provide practical guidance on specialist approaches to design. These overlays are structured to align with and provide recommendations through each RIBA Plan of Work stage. The Plan of Work overlays include the Smart Building Overlay, Engagement Overlay, Inclusive Design Overlay, Security Overlay, Passivhaus Overlay and Design for Manufacture and Assembly Overlay. RIBA has also included two of its specialist guidance documents, including the Plan for Use Guide and the Sustainable Outcomes Guide.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has released a report of findings following a survey on how architects are using artificial intelligence (AI). The report revealed that 41% of UK architects are already using AI in their projects. Despite 57% of respondents expecting AI to enhance sustainability analysis, the report found that there was hesitancy regarding investment in the technology. The report discussed concerns and ethical risks associated with the use of AI, such as an increase in architectural work being imitated, the risk that AI will replace the role of architects, and other potential risks to the built environment. RIBA’s President, Muyiwa Oki, emphasised AI’s transformative potential and announced an expert advisory group to address its ethical, professional, and competitive implications. RIBA is continuing to monitor AI developments and provide expert opinion and guidance about emerging and developing technology and the profession.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has updated its practice note on professional indemnity insurance to recognise many RIBA Chartered Practices are facing restrictions or exclusions in relation to fire safety and there is increasing uncertainty by insurers how to price policies.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the results of its latest Future Trends survey, a monthly report of the business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. In January 2023, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index deteriorated by 3 points to -11 but has recovered from low figures in Autumn 2022. RIBA says that the private housing sector and the public sector have improved, whilst the commercial sector fell to -7 and the community sector fell to -13.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has released a new Building Regulations Principal Designer Professional Services Contract. The contract is suitable for the appointment of a Building Regulations Principal Designer by a commercial client or public authority. It is also suitable for larger, more complex commercial projects, providing a comprehensive set of contract terms and including a clear outline of roles and associated services. However, the contract is not suitable for the appointment of a CDM Principal Designer or for the appointment of a Building Regulations Principal Designer on non-commercial projects.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has welcomed the UK government’s proposed reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), including the introduction of a new Fast Track Process aimed at accelerating reviews of newbuild and remediation applications. RIBA described the announcement as a positive step toward addressing delays that have impacted the delivery of safe, high-quality homes. While supporting the move to improve efficiency, RIBA emphasised that speeding up approvals must not come at the expense of safety or design quality. RIBA also welcomed the government’s commitment to work with industry to publish guidance to improve application quality and noted that it has already issued resources to support architects in preparing Gateway 2 submissions.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has secured an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would require Spatial Development Strategies to include design visions for future developments. The amendment, tabled by the Liberal Democrat Lords Housing Spokesperson, Baroness Thornhill MBE, will be debated in Parliament in September 2025. It seeks to ensure that design quality is prioritised and embedded within strategic planning processes.