RIAI QUESTIONS NEED FOR ADDITIONAL ‘GRANDFATHER CLAUSE’ IN BUILDING CONTROL ACT
John O'Donoghue T.D.'s Private Members' Bill proposes admission to the Register of Architects without:
- Qualitative Assessment of experience or competance
- Independent verification
- Compliance with minimum EU Standards
Angela Brady elected next President of the RIBA
Angela Brady elected next President of the RIBAAngela Brady has been elected next the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the UK Body for architecture and the architectural profession. Angela will become the President Elect on 1 September 2010 and will take over the two-year elected presidency from Ruth Reed on 1 September 2011.
Angela Brady is the director of Brady Mallalieu Architects, and is currently serving as a CABE enabler, Vice-Chair of Civic Trust Awards, advisor to the British Council, visiting critic for London Metropolitan University, external examiner for the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Ambassador for the Government Equality Office and a STEMnet Ambassador. She is also Chair of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland's (RIAI) London Forum and a member of RIAI Council and the RIBA's Women in Architecture committee.
"'I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as the next President of the RIBA and look forward to working with Ruth Reed. There is a lot of hard work ahead in these difficult times for the profession and the construction industry as a whole, but I have complete confidence in our ability to meet the challenge.
As RIBA President my priorities will be to ensure the RIBA remains as relevant to its members as possible and to encourage all members to act as advocates for the benefits good design can bring to buildings, communities and the environment. There is a real challenge for us to position architecture and architects as offering real value for money to society - well designed buildings improve people's health, wealth and happiness and that is the message I will be championing during my term in office. I will continue to stress the importance of sustainability in design as well as press for more diversity in the profession. I also aim to increase the national and international links with the construction industry, so that we can work collectively to combat some of the environmental and economic problems we all face."
Testimonials of recommendation for RIBA Presidency
Construction Industry Council Manifesto - Lobbying Initiative
Dear Colleague
Arising from the recent launch of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) Manifesto, the general membership of the CIC member bodies are being asked to support national lobbying activities by engaging in local lobbying of TD’s throughout the country.
Set out below is a brief guide on how to successfully lobby your local TD. It is important that you do not assume that someone else in your profession or local area will undertake this activity. All members should be proactively engaged in supporting the CIC’s national efforts to have its message conveyed and heard by Government.
Arranging a meeting with your local TD…
You should contact the office of your local politician to arrange a formal appointment to meet with them. Some members will already know a local politician well and will be able to arrange such a meeting easily.
The CIC has already written to all TDs and Senators with a copy of the CIC Manifesto which sets out the reasons why investment in infrastructure is important for job creation and will add to the productive potential of the economy. In seeking the meeting with your local TD, you should reference this recent communication from the CIC and advise that you would like to further discuss.
Preparing for the meeting…
Before attending the meeting with your local TD, ensure that you take the time to read the letter from the CIC to each TD and familiarise yourself with the CIC Manifesto. (Links to these documents are available below) You should also bring a copy of all documentation along to leave with your TD after the meeting. While they have received it already, they might not have read it and they probably do not still have a copy to hand.
Communicating your message…
The key to successful lobbying is to have the same message conveyed as many times as possible and through as many channels as possible. It is essential that this message is consistently conveyed and that other issues are not introduced as this will cause confusion.
You should ensure that the meeting with your local TD is clear and concise and draws their attention to the key points that are set out in the Executive Summary of the CIC Manifesto.
The key message from the CIC is that as well as providing the obvious and important public benefits of investment in healthcare, education, water, energy and transport, improving infrastructure also generates additional benefits to economic recovery, competitiveness and domestic growth and can secure jobs and retain skills across the country.
It is important to acknowledge the challenges facing the Exchequer in terms of finance. However, Budget 2010 already set out a 5 year plan for capital spending and it is important that, at a minimum, this programme of expenditure is rolled out.
Follow up…
In order to maximise the outcome of the meeting, it is important to follow up with your local TD after the meeting with a brief note thanking them for their time and reminding them of the key message of the meeting. This will help to reinforce the message.
The documents referred to throughout this communication are also attached as follows:
- Copy of CIC letter to TDs and Senators
- CIC Manifesto Executive Summary
- CIC Manifesto
- Media Release
- List of TD’s Email Addresses
Your support and assistance on this initiative is appreciated.
Yours faithfully
Paul Keogh
President, RIAI
3TWENTY10 – RIAI Research Competition
The RIAI wants to promote the ideas and problem-solving abilities of Architects and develop a number of research projects that will provide solutions to problems in the built environment. Through this research competition the RIAI is promoting Architects as the first port of call for responsible, sustainable development.
Visit the 3TWENTY10 Competition Registration Page
Background
The end of the largest building boom in Ireland’s history has left the nation with the challenge of how to deal with large volumes of development of the wrong type, in the wrong locations and, in the most extreme cases with little future other than demolition.
Notwithstanding the many positive developments during the Celtic Tiger years, and significant improvements to the quality of the country’s built environment, many commentators attribute much of the crises facing us today to our mismanagement of planning, and our failure to co-ordinate private development with public infrastructure during the boom years, with consequent negative impacts on the delivery of essential infrastructure, economic competitiveness and our quality of life.
Despite major strides in Irish architecture over the last decades, and many internationally recognised projects, and successful new building types, architects frequently stand accused along with developers, bankers and politicians.
Architecture must therefore demonstrate its added value and the importance of quality and design in architecture and urbanism to the delivery of Ireland’s economic, social and environmental policy objectives; to deliver attractive and sustainable built environments, to enrich our distinctive culture and heritage, to contribute to the competitiveness of our economy, and to improve quality of life for the people of Ireland, today and in generations to come.
Last year’s RIAI strategic review examined how architects might face up to these challenges, not only in terms of survival, renewal and recovery, but also how the profession might contribute to the wider debate about national recovery and how architects might bring a unique perspective to that discussion.
The Government Policy on Architecture which was published in late 2009 sets out key issues under; Strategy For Architecture; The Need For Evidence And Research Capacity; Leading By Example; Developing The Demand For Quality; And Implementation And Review. This document is supported by the RIAI and provided a background for the RIAI strategic review process.
One outcome of the twelve-month strategic review was the consensus that less work should not mean less analysis and few ideas, rather the opposite. The current recession offers a time for reflection on the achievements and failures of the past decade and how this reflection can feed into positive initiatives for the future.
The resulting Action Plan 2010-13 sets out 11 key policy objectives to promote the value of quality and design in architecture to the advancement of Ireland’s economic, social and environmental policy objectives. In pursuing these objectives the RIAI is now promoting a competition to initiate a number of research-based projects that will put forward solutions to the challenges facing Ireland in dealing with the aftermath of the boom and respond to specific issues in the area of the built environment.
Objective
The RIAI wants to promote the ideas and problem-solving abilities of Architects and develop a number of research projects that will provide solutions to problems in the built environment, whether existing or impending and to give Architects the opportunity take the initiative by providing solutions. Architects are in a unique position given their training, which is based on strategy and lateral thinking to identify and resolve problems.
Through this research competition the RIAI is promoting Architects as the first port of call for responsible, sustainable development.
The Action Plan 2010-2013 which is included in the competition pack, sets out the RIAI’s policy objectives and actions for the promotion, regulation and support of Architecture in Ireland.
Objective 3 of the RIAI Action Plan is to: Champion the theory and practice of Sustainable Development; to combat climate change and to improve quality of life for the people of Ireland, today and generations to come.
Objective 10 of the RIAI Action Plan is to: Promote the need for evidence based research in architecture, conservation, construction, urban design and the built environment – including green enterprise – and identify key research objectives relevant to architectural practice and consumer protection.
Architecture Ireland 2010 (Digital Version)
Irish architectural publishing, Architecture Ireland now carries CPD Accreditation by the RIAI.
Under the RIAI CPD Engage on-line system, RIAI members are required to continuously acquire CPD credits and reading Architecture Ireland constitutes CPD credits.
To Register your reading credit, go to http://cpd.riai.ie/Default.aspx, Search 'Architecture Ireland' to locate and register your reading.
Architecture Ireland has exclusive access to the architectural profession and is the only magazine that circulates to all registered Irish architects.
ARCHITECTURE IRELAND
View a PDF of the magazine:
See AI 251 (11.8 MB)
See AI 250 (12 MB)
See AI 249 (11 MB)
See AI 248 (zip file 14 MB)
See AI 247 (13.3 MB)
See AI 246 Part I (pending)
See AI 246 Part II (pending)
See AI 245 (12 MB)
See AI 244 (15 MB)
See AI 243 (8 MB)
HOUSE MAGAZINE
House Magazine (11 MB)
Very Important Notice - Architects Register 2010 deadline
The closing date for payment to remain on the Architects Register is 19 May 2010.
Any architect who has not paid their annual charge of €490 or has not been in touch with the RIAI regarding financial hardship, will be removed from the register on 20 May 2010.
If you have to be removed there are costs associated with reinstatement.
Please contact the RIAI if you are unemployed or experiencing financial hardship to avail of the facilities offered.
Financial Hardship/ Unwaged
Although there is no automatic eligibility for new members to avail of an unwaged Registration/Membership rate the RIAI endeavours to assist applicants who are unwaged or experience financial hardship. Requests can only be processed if proof of unemployment / hardship is provided:
Download Financial Hardship form
RIAI Email Reminder sent May 11, 2010 to unpaid members:
Dear Member
Following our 2 registered letters to you; the 18th of May is approaching, and as yet, you have not paid your registration and RIAI Membership annual charges for 2010.
With registration now a reality, the RIAI is anxious that all those who are entitled to use the title architect are on the register.
The Council and Executive are fully aware of the difficulties being experienced by Architects at present and there are provisions for those experiencing financial hardship or are currently unemployed to pay reduced charges.
If we have no contact from you before next Tuesday the 18th, you will
a) be removed from the register,
b) will no longer be legally entitled to use the title architect and,
c) will loose your RIAI Membership;
Should you decide to register subsequent to your removal, under the terms of the Building Control Act you will be liable for reinstatement charges (€103.00, to cover costs of processing registered letters and data entry) in addition to your annual charge.
Yours sincerely,
John Graby
Registrar
Jennifer Goff will lecture on Eileen Gray models at Boyle Arts Festival
Another Test
See the Light 2010 - Building a Carbon Free Future
Location: Croke Park Convention Centre, Dublin
Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
See the Light 2010 - Building a Carbon Free Future organised by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Renewable Energy Information Office (SEAI REIO) in association with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) will take place on Thursday 9 September, at the Croke Park Convention Centre, Dublin.
Conference highlights include a round up of new policies and their implications with delegates offered a rare and in-depth insight into the key principles and techniques in developing low energy, carbon neutral, energy plus and passive house projects to provide healthy and ecological building solutions for energy and cost conscious consumers and businesses in Ireland.
Now in its eighth year this annual show case event for the built environment will be of particular interest to:
•the construction industry
•architects
•engineers
•energy & environmental consultants
•developers and installers
•local authority planners, engineers, Agenda 21 officers, housing & building departments
•housing associations
•universities & research organisations
•government departments & NGO’s
For further information please contact Paul Dykes (SEAI REIO) email pauld@reio.ie or tel 023 8863393.
Attending this event, qualifies for 
Structure CPD Points
The hand drying landscape and its evolution
RIAI Designing Low-Energy Domestic Refurbs Optimising Long Term Value for your Client - Dublin
FAS Site Suitability Assessments for On Site Waste Water Treatment Training Programme
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the competency-based FÁS Site Suitability Assessments for On Site Waste Water Treatment Training Programme. Completed applications and supporting evidence of qualifications must be received by FÁS and a selection process will take place before 13th August 2010.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the competency-based FÁS Site Suitability Assessments for On Site Waste Water Treatment Training Programme.
The course is targeted at applicants with third level construction and environmental qualifications. Candidates will be required to carry out site assessments for un-sewered single sites.
The first 4 days of this 8 day course will be held in Tullamore from 13th to 16th September 2010 and the last 4 days in Wexford from 27th to 30th September 2010 and will conclude later with competency-based practical assessment.
A limited number of places are available.
Course fee: €1985 per participant
For an application form and further information please email envirotrain@fas.ie or phone 01 6070821 or phone 01 6070814 Contact Paul Cruise or Catriona Cummins
Unemployed persons in receipt of job seekers allowance will also be considered, subject to availability.
Completed applications and supporting evidence of qualifications must be received by FÁS and a selection process will take place before 13th August 2010.
Angela Brady elected next President of the RIBA
Angela Brady has been elected next the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA
Angela Brady has been elected next the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the UK Body for architecture and the architectural profession. Angela will become the President Elect on 1 September 2010 and will take over the two-year elected presidency from Ruth Reed on 1 September 2011.
Angela Brady is the director of Brady Mallalieu Architects, and is currently serving as a CABE enabler, Vice-Chair of Civic Trust Awards, advisor to the British Council, visiting critic for London Metropolitan University, external examiner for the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Ambassador for the Government Equality Office and a STEMnet Ambassador. She is also Chair of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland's (RIAI) London Forum and a member of RIAI Council and the RIBA's Women in Architecture committee.
"'I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as the next President of the RIBA and look forward to working with Ruth Reed. There is a lot of hard work ahead in these difficult times for the profession and the construction industry as a whole, but I have complete confidence in our ability to meet the challenge.
As RIBA President my priorities will be to ensure the RIBA remains as relevant to its members as possible and to encourage all members to act as advocates for the benefits good design can bring to buildings, communities and the environment. There is a real challenge for us to position architecture and architects as offering real value for money to society - well designed buildings improve peoples health, wealth and happiness and that is the message I will be championing during my term in office. I will continue to stress the importance of sustainability in design as well as press for more diversity in the profession. I also aim to increase the national and international links with the construction industry, so that we can work collectively to combat some of the environmental and economic problems we all face."
Testimonials of recommendation for RIBA Presidency
70: Planning Permission reminder
(RIAI Information Paper - Published February 2007)
Important Reminder on Making a Planning Application after 1st June 2007
The RIAI have been monitoring newspaper adverts for planning applications in recent weeks subsequent to the article below, which is repeated. This article was published on the RIAI website on 19 June and in Members’ e-Bulletin 27 and Practice e-Bulletins 55 and 56.
Half of the planning notices are using the older wording while others are using the wording set out in S.I. No. 685 of 2006.
Those Members and Practices who are using the old wording have had their planning applications invalidated.
Please read the article below carefully before making the planning application:
Urgent Question: How many Planning Application Forms are Available?
The RIAI has been made aware that a number of planning authorities have devised there own planning application form, which are now in use from 1 June 2007.
These forms are different from the national application form issued as part of the Planning and Development Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 685 of 2006, page 94 to 107).
We are not aware of all the new forms but we do know that Dublin City Council, Waterford County Council, Offaly County Council, Galway City Council and Clare County Council have published new forms; Cork County has 3 different planning application forms for domestic, commercial and agriculture.
In addition to the new forms, Dublin City Council is implementing these requirements (S.I. No. 685 of 2006), which if not adhered to the planning application will be invalidated. These requirements are:
(a) the location of the site notice must be indicated on the Ordnance Survey map accompanying the application (22.2.b.iv).
(b) that the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.
In some instances the specimen newspaper notice on the Planning Authority website is the old notice; the new words have not been added and the notice changed.
The new round of invalidations has commenced. The RIAI advises that Practices should be cautious, in the short term, when making planning applications and should investigate the latest requirements of the planning authority, thoroughly, even though they may be contrary to the Planning and Development Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 685 of 2006).
69: Health & Safety Procedures under the 2006 Regulations
(RIAI Information Paper - published January 2007)
Health and Safety Procedures under the 2006 Regulations
Many RIAI Practices are in the situation whereby they were appointed Project Supervisor Design Stage or had commenced design work on a project prior to 6 November 2006. Although design work has commenced the likely date for commencement on site is in 2007 or later. Clarification has been sought from the Health and Safety Authority about the role of the Project Supervisor Design Stage in such circumstances.
The critical date for the change in Regulations is 6 November 2006.
A PSDS is appointed by the client before 6 November 2006, the design process had already commenced. The PSDS is appointed for a period of 18 months (6 May 2007). If the project runs beyond the 18 month period, the Client can then apply to the HSA, in writing, for an extension of time from 6 May 2008 (for a further period of up to 12 months) until 6 May 2009.
If the project then runs beyond 6 May 2009, it is incumbent on the client to appoint a PSDP.
Although the PSDS is appointed under the old Regulations, when the project commences on site, the Client appoints a PSCS under the new Regulations, because it is after 6 November 2006.
Where a PSDS has been appointed, the PSCS is responsible for preparing the Safety File and for coordinating the design of temporary works, to facilitate the construction of the project.
The procedure mentioned above is a specific transitional arrangement, however all duty holders - including clients, designers, etc. and the Safety and Health Plan prepared by PSDS must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 2006 which came into operation on 6 November 2006.
New Sports Hall Competition for Loreto Abbey Dalkey
Loreto Abbey Dalkey and the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) are delighted to launch the architectural competition for the design of a new sports hall located to the rear of Loreto Abbey Dalkey to comprise a Sports Hall, gym, performance stage and associated changing rooms and facilities.
Loreto Abbey Dalkey and the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) are delighted to launch the architectural competition for the design of a new sports hall located to the rear of Loreto Abbey Dalkey to comprise a Sports Hall, gym, performance stage and associated changing rooms and facilities.
Located on a remarkably beautiful and very exposed site, overlooking the sea, Loreto Abbey Dalkey is a Catholic convent secondary school in Dalkey, south Co. Dublin. It has a proud history dating back to 1843. Today 600+ girls, day students aged 12 to 18 from the local area and from a wide hinterland, attend the school. All students play sports; either formally on teams or through individual sports/PE classes and through their own individual interests.
The school wishes to put in place a Sports Hall (and performance space, budget permitting) to complement the existing school and its surroundings, for the use of the school community and to accommodate specific sporting groups from the wider Dalkey community who use the existing sports facilities in the school, outside of school hours.
Once a competitor registers to take part in the competition, they have until 1 September 2010 to submit their entries. Each entry will consist of one A1 size sheet of information. Competitors who are shortlisted in September and invited to make further submissions will be paid an honorarium of €5,000. The winners of the competition will be announced in December.
Further information on the competition is available on the RIAI website
Loreto Abbey Dalkey Sports Hall - Architectural Design Competition
RIAI CPD Links
The RIAI is pleased to announce the launch of RIAI CPD LINKS, a Partnership between Providers of Continuing Professional Development and the RIAI.
To expand the range of CPD provision to our members, and in response to demand from education providers, the RIAI has launched this initiative for partnership with people and organisations who offer educational programmes, publications and events which would be useful for Architects and Architectural Technicians/Technologists.
Why RIAI CPD LINKS?
As part of its CPD support system the RIAI itself provides members with a wide range of technical and professional information in the form of publications, lectures, courses and advice. However, many other organisations – professional, educational and commercial – deliver programmes and events which can be of educational value to RIAI members.
In 2000 the RIAI introduced the ‘RIAI CPD Network’. The objective of the Network was to improve the quality and content of information given to architects by manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to the construction industry.
The new RIAI CPD LINKS system is intended to increase substantially the range, depth and quality of CPD opportunities available to RIAI members. This will bring to three the strands of CPD offered through the RIAI:
- RIAI Programmes, provided by the RIAI itself
- RIAI CPD Links
- RIAI CPD Network
Who can join the RIAI CPD LINKS?
People and organisations eligible for inclusion in RIAI CPD LINKS List may include:
- Educational Institutions
- Professional Bodies
- Individuals, companies, organisations, groups or associations offering educational activities or programmes relevant to architects and architectural technicians/ technologists.
The primary purpose of the programme must be educational. The RIAI makes a clear distinction between educational and marketing activities. People or organizations providing educational activities primarily as a vehicle for the promotion of their own product or service are excluded from RIAI CPD LINKS. So the following groups should refer to the ‘RIAI CPD Network’ system:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of building materials, products, components or equipment
- Specialist service suppliers
- Associations of manufacturers or suppliers
- Marketing, management, IT, financial and other companies who are promoting a service to the architectural profession.
The decision on whether an activity is primarily educational or primarily promotional rests solely with the RIAI.
The RIAI’s membership includes fully qualified Architects and Architectural Technicians / Technologists, and also graduates who are in training for their professional examinations.
Members work in a wide range of roles in both public and private sectors, in practice, in industry and in education.
The range of roles and activities in which our members engage is constantly evolving. Their core skills are set out in the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architect and the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architectural Technologist, both of which are attached.
However, many have an interest in expanding their knowledge and skills beyond what is required for their core activities or chose to follow other related career tracks. So the range of topics which may have relevance is very wide indeed and the list of additional fields given here is non-exhaustive.
- Arbitration, Mediation and Negotiation
- Archaeology
- Art (all fields)
- Business (including marketing, finance, etc.)
- Communication and Languages
- Design (urban, landscape, furniture, product, graphic, etc.)
- Education, Training and Mentoring
- Economics and Politics
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- IT
- Law
- Management
- Multi-media (Web Design, CAD, Photography, etc)
- Planning, (Spatial, strategic, etc.)
- Property and Development Economics
- Psychology and Sociology
- Research
- Technology
Any provider uncertain as to whether a field or topic might be suitable is invited to contact the RIAI for guidance before submitting a formal application.
If RIAI CPD LINKS is suited to the training that your organization provides, and you would like to make an application or speak to somebody in the RIAI, then please refer to the attached brochure and application form or contact Sharyn Roffe at sroffe@riai.ie.
Applications should be returned to: CPD Manager, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2,
Ireland.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Sharyn Roffe MRAI or Teresa Harte
CPD Manager CPD Officer
sroffe@riai.ie tharte@riai.ie
T:353 1 676 1703
F:353 1 661 0948
W: www.riai.ie
Yours Sincerelly,
Ann McNicholl FRIAI
Education Director
Google Sketchup Essentials 1
Building Information Modelling Essentials
W/Workshop in Joseph Walsh Studio
PHPP Planning Pack
Lime Workshop
68: New Guidance Notes on the RIAI Articles of Agreement
(RIAI Information Paper - published May 2006)
New Guidance Notes on the RIAI Articles of Agreement
The RIAI is represented on the Liaison Committee to the Construction Industry.
The constituent bodies forming the committee are the RIAI, the Society of Chartered Surveyors, the Association of the Consulting Engineers of Ireland, Engineers Ireland and the Construction Industry Federation.
In 1994 the Liaison Committee published a set of notes which gave guidance to the implementation of the some of the clauses of the Articles of Agreement.
Over the last three years the Committee has debated the workings of each of the clauses and is now are about to print a new publication called “Code of Practice for Tendering and Contractual Matters 2006”.
This code of practice is published with the agreement and support of all the constituent bodies and covers such items as Retention Fund; Tender Deposits; Tendering Procedures; Post Tender Negotiations; Payments Attendances; Contract Performance Bonds; Professional Indemnity Insurance on Nominated Sub-Contractors Undertaking Design, Standardised Appendices covering Invitation to Tender; Form of Tender, Nominated Sub Contractors and Form of Retention Bond.
The publication will be available shortly from the RIAI Bookshop and all the constituent bodies for €20.
This publication is an essential document to have at hand during the administration of the building contract.
67: Safety, Health and Welfare (SHW) 2006 working at height
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued April 2006)
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Working at Height) Regulations 2006
Minister Fahy has published Statutory Instrument S.I. No. 318 of 2006 in July 2006, concerning working at height.
This S.I. contains requirements governing weather conditions; avoidance of risks from work at height; selection and requirements and inspection of work equipment for work at height; fragile surfaces; falling objects; danger areas; checking of places of work at height and amendments to 1960, 1991 and 2001 regulations.
The S.I. is published by the Stationery Office Dublin and can be purchased directly from Government publication Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, or by mail order from Government Publications, Postal Trade Section, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. The S.I. is priced at €4.57
RIAI Members are advised to obtain and read a copy of the S.I.
Please note that this S.I. should not be confused with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations and Guidance which is to be published later this year and is based on the Act which was published September 2005.
Call on Government to reinvigorate the economy by investing in Ireland’s infrastructure
The RIAI with business groups and trade unions and the CIC have called for Government investment in Ireland’s infrastructure. Representatives from IBEC, ICTU, Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Construction Industry Council joined together to call on Government to reinvigorate the economy by investing in Ireland’s infrastructure. The groups said that now is an ideal time for the Government to invest in strategic projects that will support Ireland’s renewed economic growth by creating jobs in the indigenous sectors of the economy.The RIAI with business groups and trade unions and the CIC have called for Government investment in Ireland’s infrastructure.
Representatives from IBEC, ICTU, Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the Construction Industry Council joined together to call on Government to reinvigorate the economy by investing in Ireland’s infrastructure. The groups said that now is an ideal time for the Government to invest in strategic projects that will support Ireland’s renewed economic growth by creating jobs in the indigenous sectors of the economy.
The documents referred to throughout this communication are also attached as follows:
Copy of CIC letter to TDs and Senators
CIC Manifesto Executive Summary
Architect Connect
Irish Architects O’Donnell + Tuomey elected Honorary Fellows of American Institute of Architects
In March of this year, Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey have been elected as Honorary Fellows of American Institute of Architects, the first Irish architects to receive this honour for Architectural Design since Michael Scott was elected in 1972.In March of this year, Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey have been elected as Honorary Fellows of American Institute of Architects, the first Irish architects to receive this honour for Architectural Design since Michael Scott was elected in 1972.
John Tuomey, Hon. FAIA and Sheila O’Donnell, Hon. FAIA, are partners of the firm of O’Donnell + Tuomey in Dublin, Ireland.
"The AIA Honorary Fellowship program was developed as the international counterpart to the Fellowship program. Election to honorary fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the foreign architect as an individual, but also elevates before the international public and the profession a model architect who has made a significant contribution to architecture and society..'
Honorary fellowship is bestowed on architects of esteemed character and distinguished achievements who are neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. residents, and who do not primarily practice architecture within the domain of the Institute."
For more information:
John Tuomey
Sheila O'Donnell
To view O'Donnell + Tuomeys website
CPD Network Overview
A partnership for RIAI CPD providers.
The RIAI
The RIAI, founded in 159 years ago, is the representative body for the architectural profession in Ireland. It's qualifications for membership are accepted by the Government, the courts and the EU as the required standard for the practice of architecture. A high standard of professional competence among its members is maintained by examination prior to entry, a policy of Continuing Professional Development, and an extensive service of information and advice to all members. The Institute's involvement with architects and architectural technicians starts when they are students and continues with back-up and advice through their professional lives. The great majority of professionally qualified architects in Ireland are RIAI members, and the RIAI has the most comprehensive data base on architects and architectural practices in the country.
What is CPD?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been defined as: " The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skill and the development of personal qualities necessary for the execution of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner's working life". (Construction Group, UK)
What is the purpose of CPD ?
It has always been the responsibility of any member of a profession to maintain his or her professional skills, and to take steps to stay well-informed about developments in the field. However, in recent times the pace of change has made keeping up-to-date an increasingly onerous task. At the same time, increasing expectations on the part of consumers put pressure on both practitioners and the professional bodies to ensure that skills are indeed being maintained.
Effective CPD results in better buildings, more consumer protection and client satisfaction for the public, better job satisfaction and career advancement for the architectural employee, and greater success for the architectural practice.
For the individual architect or technician, in today's competitive and changing world, CPD is essential for continued employment and advancement. For the practice it is essential for survival.
Why the RIAI CPD Network?
RIAI Policy requires every member of the RIAI to take all reasonable steps to maintain an appropriate level of professional skills. Where a member of the RIAI is responsible for the employment of other members, he/she must encourage them to meet their CPD obligations by developing and maintaining a CPD policy within the organisation.
The RIAI makes recommendations on the amount of 'Formal CPD activity' which a member should undertake. Activities qualifying as 'Formal CPD Activity' include: CPD designated RIAI events, relevant educational events run by recognised educational institutions or professional organisations, and appropriate conferences, seminars or workshops.
In addition, members are expected to maintain a pattern of personal study and development. This can include study tours and site visits, case studies, peer review, original research, writing books or articles, distance learning, reading books, journals, and technical literature.
It is the responsibility of each member to judge the amount and type of CPD activity necessary to maintain the professional skills appropriate to his or her chosen career path, so members are free to choose the topics which are most relevant to their own interests and responsibilities. Any topic which contributes to a member's professional development may be appropriate.
However, any CPD activity undertaken must be deliberate, focused and planned with a particular educational end in view. Each member is advised to develop a personal CPD strategy and to keep a record of his or her CPD activities.
Who can join the RIAI CPD Network?
- Manufacturers and suppliers of building materials, products, components or equipment.
- Specialist service suppliers
- Associations of manufacturers or suppliers.
What kinds of materials can be submitted for assessment?
The RIAI will evaluate information supplied in any of the following formats: printed trade literature, design guides, etc., videos, CD ROMs, Web sites, presentations, lectures and seminars.
What RIAI Services will be available to Network Members?
The RIAI will provide to each Network member:
- Copy of RIAI Member's Guide to CPD
- Guidelines for developing effective education/marketing materials
- Submission checklist form (to accompany submitted material)
- Initial feedback and assessment of CPD material submitted for approval
- Right to use RIAI CPD Network logo for approved materials/events
- Promotion of scheme to RIAI members and member practices
- Links from RIAI web site to web sites of RIAI CPD Network members
- Model attendance certificate (to be issued to RIAI members by provider)
- Model evaluation form (to be completed by RIAI members attending events)
What is in it for You?
To maximise sales in a competitive industry you need to understand how architects use trade literature, what they want of it, and how to increase your chances of achieving product visibility. The style of your marketing naturally affects the image of your company. This, after all, is what it is planned to do. However, the results may not always be as intended, and it is important to get it right. Intelligent marketing suggests an intelligent design, manufacturing, delivery and back-up service; 'stupid' advertising raises doubts about the competence of the company in other areas.
From the feedback it gets from its members, the RIAI knows that a lot of well intended, and expensive, marketing exercises for construction products are seen by architects as ill advised Offices are short of storage space, partners want to know that their employees' time is being productively used, and specifiers are too busy to wade through quantities of unhelpful trade literature or web site pages. What architectural practices need is relevant, reliable and accessible information.
Joining the RIAI CPD network offers you:
- RIAI mark of approval
- Quality control for your marketing/technical information initiatives
- Feedback from people who understand the needs and attitudes of your potential audience
- Enhanced corporate/product image
- Increased relevance for the Irish market; not just the legislation, but also its climate, industry methods, construction techniques, trade skills.
- Reduced chance of your product being poorly or inappropriately used
For further information contact:
Sandra Campbell
RIAI
8 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. + 353 (0)1 676 1703
Fax. + 353 (0)1 661 0948
Email: scampbell@riai.ie
Love the City - Designing Dublin call for Applications: Deadline 13 August 2010
Love the City will challenge you to learn big, think boundlessly, work collaboratively, be rigorous, develop a range of methodologies and processes, heighten your entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities, design multiple quick solutions, and effect real change. All in an action-packed six months!
Love the City
Love to learn
Love to experiment
Love to share
Love the City
Designing Dublin: Learning to Learn is looking for a new multi-disciplinary team to collaborate on a project called Love the City based in Dublin’s City Centre.
Love the City will challenge you to learn big, think boundlessly, work collaboratively, be rigorous, develop a range of methodologies and processes, heighten your entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities, design multiple quick solutions, and effect real change. All in an action-packed six months!
Love the City runs between 13 of September 2010 and 31 of March 2011.
Application deadline is 13 of August 2010. Full time commitment is required.
Learn more and apply at www.design21c.com
Tax Relief on Registration Fee
The RIAI has written to the Revenue Commissioners and they have confirmed that architects who pay the €490 registration fee are entitled to claim a tax deduction in respect of the payment from 1 January 2010.
Download letter from the Revenue Commissioners
The Results of the RIAI Employment Survey 2010
The RIAI recently carried out a survey to find out if the employment situation among Architects and Architectural technologists had changed.
Our last survey in 2009 showed that 41% of Architects and Technicians were being made redundant. What the results show is that a significant number have established practices or found employment but that the salary levels among Architects and Technicians have reduced significantly.
Download the synopsis of the results of the RIAI Employment Survey carried out in May 2010.
RIAI Employment Survey (May 2010) synopsis
Ordnance Survey Ireland Alleged Copyright Infringement
An RIAI Practice has contacted us regarding allegations of copyright infringement of OSi mapping on a project they submitted to a local authority for a planning application.
OSi alleged that they visited the planning authority inspected the planning file and claim the maps contained therein were a breach of copyright.
The RIAI Practice has a copy of the receipt from the National Map Centre in Aungier Street in Dublin for the legitimate purchase of the maps used in the planning application, i.e. a “Planning Pack.”
The RIAI Practice has written to OSi pointing out that they should be able, if they did indeed inspect the file, to recognise legitimate maps purchased from their agents and stamped appropriately.
Report of the Lord Mayor’s Commission on Employment
The Report of the Lord Mayor’s Commission on Employment was launched on Tuesday, 15 June 2010.
Download the report.
This report is also available to view on the Dublin City Council's website www.dublincity.ie or is available from edu@dublincity.ie
The RIAI School Survey on Commissions that are ready for Tender or for Construction
The RIAI are aware through discussions with Practices and Members that it takes an inordinate amount of time to get a school commission from inception to construction on site. Many commissions dating from the year 2000 still have not as yet gone on site. The complicated commissioning and procedure process operated by the Department of Education and Science creates and compounds this problem with the use of the new Government Forms of Contract being sited by the former Minister of Education and Science as a further impediment.
Every local politician conscious of the impending general election would be more than pleased to be told that their local school project, although many years in the “pipeline” has planning permission, has gone out to tender or is ready to go to tender.
This survey seeks to identify, regionally throughout Ireland which schools; VEC, Secondary or Primary, are ready but are held up by the Department of Education and Science, for whatever reason.
If these schools can be identified, their approximate cost and their status, a case can be made through political pressure both at national level and local level to get the schools on site. It should be remembered that the former Minister of Education and Science returned to the Exchequer millions of Euro from the school building programme, last year because they could not build enough schools.
The survey was sent to all RIAI practices and their returns are now awaited.
If you would be interested in viewing the questionnaire, it can be accessed here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Schools_Survey_July_2010
The Construction Industry Council meet the Oireachtas Committee on Environment
Deputy Sean Fleming invited the CIC to present to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on Tuesday, 6 July to discuss the CIC Manifesto, “Building a Better Ireland – Investing in Infrastructure and the Built Environment to Support Ireland’s Smart Economy” which was recently published and launched at the Aviva stadium.
Eamon Timoney, President of the ACEI headed the delegation, which also included RIAI President Paul Keogh.
View the recorded Oireachtas hearing.
Please note that due to the public servants’ go slow, access to the hearing may not be available until next week.
Employee rights - Advice note to RIAI Members
5 July 2010
Examples include:
Risks
Legal Advice
- If the Labour Court has granted an exemption to the employer from the obligation to pay minimum wage due to financial hardship.
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Approved Schemes
An Employer’s ‘PRSI holiday’ came into effect in late June, backdated to 1 January 2010. Subject to certain conditions being met, employers will not be liable for PRSI in respect of new employees for a period of 12 months from the date of employment. The employee’s PRSI is not affected.
The main conditions attaching to the scheme, as outlined by the Dept of Social Protection, are:
- The employee concerned must have been on the Live-Register (Unemployed) for at least 6 months;
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National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 (Prescribed Courses of Study or Training) Regulations, 2000.*
S.I. No. 99/2000 sets out the conditions that must be met for a practice to be entitled to pay the reduced minimum wage. Provided that the candidate takes the RIAI/UCD Lecture Series the RIAI Examination in Professional Practice appears to meet the requirements for a prescribed course of study or training. But the Regulations also make demands of the employer (including payment of any fees for the course) which must be set out in a written agreement. The S.I., which is quite short, explains the conditions that must be met www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI99Y2000.html.
The FAS Work Placement Programme (WPP) allows participants to gain experience while not affecting their social welfare payments. Participants can avail of a nine month placement, up to a maximum of 2000 placements nationwide, but are not paid by the employer during this period.
This IBEC graduate scheme is intended to encourage graduate internships with a view to people acquiring more skills during the downturn so as to be ready when the economy recovers. The website has information pages for companies (who must be IBEC members), for graduates, and a search facility to identify internships being offered. On the date of checking there were no architectural internships on offer. Graduates, who should check with their local Social Welfare office to establish eligibility, may be able to keep their social welfare payments during the internship. www.ibec.ie/GradLink
Where an employee's job ceases to exist, and the employee is not replaced (rationalisation, re-organisation, not enough work available, financial state of the firm, company closures etc.) any employee aged 16 or over with 104 weeks’ continuous service with the employer is entitled to a statutory redundancy payment. The statutory payment is two week’s gross pay per year of service up to a ceiling of €600 per week plus one week’s pay, which is also subject to the ceiling of €600. This payment is tax-free.
Employers who pay the statutory redundancy entitlement and give proper notice of redundancy (at least two weeks) are entitled to a 60% Rebate from the Social Insurance Fund, into which they make regular payments themselves through P.R.S.I. contributions. The Redundancy Payments Section of the DETI processes applications for these rebates, which should be submitted using Form RP50.
If the employer is not in a position to pay the statutory redundancy to their employees then they should sign the RP50 form and submit the following information to the DETI:
Further information from:http://www.deti.ie/employment/redundancy/guide.htm
Under current conditions, when principals and any remaining staff may be working all the hours available, practices also need to keep in mind the Organization of Working Time Act 1997. This sets out statutory rights for employees in respect of rest, maximum working time and holidays. People who control their own working hours (i.e. principals in practice) are not covered by these rules.
For everybody else, the maximum average working week is 48 hours. Averaging may be balanced out over a 4, 6 or 12 month period depending on the circumstances.
The 48 hour net maximum working week can be averaged according to the following rules:-
In addition, every employee has a general entitlement to:-
In a Dail response in July 2009 Minister Hanafin stated:
Additional information is available at:
Redundancy Payment
Working Hours
‘Dole for Business Owners’.
“Self-employed people can apply for the means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance if …. they are on low income as a result of a downturn in demand for their services.”
www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2009-07-01.1757.0
www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/unemployed-people/self-employed-and-unemployment
66: Building Regs 1997 - 2006 amendments since 1997
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued March 2006)
Building Regulations 1997 - 2006: Amendments and Corrections since 1997
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government published Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) A to M under Article 7 of the Building Regulations, 1997 for the purpose of providing guidance with regard to compliance with Parts A to M of the Regulations.
Corrections and minor amendments to current editions of TGDs are issued from time to time as found necessary.
The document below contains the text of all currently applicable corrections / amendments made since 1997. This document and all the latest editions / reprints of the TGDs A to M can be downloaded from the Department's website: www.environ.ie under the headings 'What we do', 'Building Standards', 'Technical Guidance Documents'.
Download the Amendments and Corrections since 1997 document here.
3TWENTY10 – RIAI Research Competition
Dublin Garden Squares Day
Dublin Civic Trust invites you to celebrate the glory of Dublin’s Georgian garden squares. Enjoy walking tours, live performance, stalls and children’s events in a fun family day out for all. Walk or cycle between the squares and discover the history of these unique gardens, their plants and wildlife, the people who once used them and the historic buildings that embrace them.
Saturday 3rd July from 10am
Dublin Civic Trust invites you to celebrate the glory of Dublin’s Georgian garden squares.
Enjoy walking tours, live performance, stalls and children’s events in a fun family day out for all. Walk or cycle between the squares and discover the history of these unique gardens, their plants and wildlife, the people who once used them and the historic buildings that embrace them.
Events taking place at all five squares from 10am onwards.
The squares are:
- Mountjoy Square
- Parnell Square
- Merrion Square
- Fitzwilliam Square
- St. Stephens Green
See www.dublincivictrust.ie for more details.
Irish Architecture Awards Night at Farmleigh
The Irish Architecture Awards 2010 were presented at a ceremony in the Gallery at Farmleigh on the evening of 21st June. The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards are the main focus in the Institute’s campaign to communicate to the public the variety and quality of contemporary Irish Architecture.The Irish Architecture Awards 2010 were presented at a ceremony in the Gallery at Farmleigh on the evening of 21st June. The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards are the main focus in the Institute’s campaign to communicate to the public the variety and quality of contemporary Irish Architecture. You can view the awards on this site
The following awards were made on the night:
Public Choice Award
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The Public Choice Award was presented to Henry J Lyons Architects for the Criminal Courts of Justice by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Accessible Project
The Best Accessible Project Award was presented to Henry J Lyons Architects for the Criminal Courts of Justice by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Sustainable Project
The Best Sustainable Project Award was presented to Scott Tallon Walker Architects for St. Patrick's Place by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Commercial / Retail Building
The Best Commercial / Retail Building Award was presented to Henry J Lyons Architects for the Architects' Studio at 51-54 Pearse Street by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Conservation / Restoration Award
The Best Conservation / Restoration Award was presented to McCullough Mulvin Architects for Rush Library by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Cultural Building
The Best Cultural Building Award was presented to Terry Pawson Architects for VISUAL - Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre by MinisterCiarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Educational Building
The Best Educational Building Award was presented to McCullough Mulvin Architects for the Engineering & Informatics Building, Athlone Institute of Technology by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Health & Leisure Award
The Best Health & Leisure Award was presented to Niall McLaughlin Architects for the Alzheimer's Respite Centre by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best House Extension Award
The Best House Extension Award was presented to Boyd Cody Architects for 107 Ringsend Park by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best House Award
The Best House Award was presented to Taka Architects for House 1 + House 2 by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Housing (More than 1 Unit)
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The Best Housing (More than 1 Unit) Award was presented to DTA Architects for Social & Affordable Residential Development, Santry Demesne, Fingal by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Overseas Award
The Best Overseas Award was presented to Brady Mallalieu Architects for 4 Mastmaker Road by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Public Building
The Best Public Building Award was presented to ABK Architects for Civic Precinct - Courthouse, Local Area Office and Library by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Best Public Space
The Best Public Space Award was presented to MCO Projects / ArArq Ireland Architects for Father Collins Park by Minister Ciarán Cuffe TD and RIAI President Paul Keogh.
Criminal Courts of Justice voted Ireland’s favourite new building
The Criminal Courts of Justice, designed by Henry J Lyons, has been voted Ireland’s favourite new building. The new court building was the People’s Choice in this year’s RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2010
New court building wins Public Choice Award at Irish Architecture Awards
The Criminal Courts of Justice, designed by Henry J Lyons, has been voted Ireland’s favourite new building. The new court building was the People’s Choice in this year’s RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2010, which were announced today at the RIAI Annual Awards ceremony at Farmleigh. A total of fourteen projects received awards. Full details and images of all the winning projects are available on www.irisharchitectureawards.ie.
The People’s Choice Award is designed to raise awareness of architecture in Ireland. Since the shortlist of 55 projects was announced two weeks ago, the RIAI has received over 9,000 votes, 20% of which went to the Criminal Courts of Justice. Other projects which came close to clinching the prestigious award were Sandford Park Multi-Purpose Hall, Ranelagh in Dublin, and 1 Strawberry Hill, Sundays Well, Cork.
The Engineering and Informatics Building, Athlone Institute of Technology, won the award for Best Educational Building while St. Patrick’s Place, a mixed-use development in Cork, won for Best Sustainable Project. The Criminal Courts of Justice also won the Best Accessible Project Award.
This year, a new category was added to reflect the extensive high quality work that Irish architects are doing internationally. Brady Mallalieu is the first recipient of this new award for their London project, 4 Mastermaker Road. The project contains 199 homes contained in two towers and five low rise buildings as well as a coffee shop and retail space, a community centre with allotments and a rooftop sports pitch.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, John Graby, Director, RIAI, said, “At a time of immense challenge for the architectural profession, it is heartening to see such excellence in architectural design. It is also gratifying that as the quality of the buildings produced every year continues to increase, so does public interest in good design, as we can see from the strong response to the Public Choice Award. “
Eddie Conroy, Chairperson of the Judging Panel, said, “The jury were pleased with the broad range of submissions that were received this year despite the economic downturn. Domestic work, where the Architect-Client relationship is closest, was the most vigorous and innovative. Larger schemes were improved by a growing understanding of the benefits of urban design. Procurement regimes seemed to have a deadening effect on Public projects particularly in the Health and Education sectors.”
Irish Architecture Awards 2010
65: Building Control Bill
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued February 2006)
The Building Control Bill 2005
The Building Control Bill contains more than registering the title of Architect.
Contained within the Bill are elements that will affect the manner in which the RIAI Practitioners will carry out their business.
There are three main elements, as proposed, that will have an immediate affect the workings of the architect are contained within Part 2 of the Bill;
Fire Safety Certificates
There is a provision for retrospective Fire Safety Certificates, which may place an additional burden on Members workload, if clients decide to construct a building and apply for a fire safety certificate retrospectively. Professional fees will have to be adjusted to cover any additional workload.
Restrictions on the use of a Premise without a Fire Safety Certificate
Subsection (2) (a) (xi) states
"that a new building, or an existing building in respect of which an extension or a material alteration has been made, shall not be opened, operated or occupied or permitted to be opened, operated or occupied, unless a fire safety certificate or disability access certificate (or, as the case may require, a revised certificate of either kind) required by regulations under this Act has been granted by the building control authority.”
Architects’ Opinions on Compliance may have to be either modified or supplemented to deal with this requirement at the point of conveyancing or lease. Members may have to take account of this eventuality when preparing tender documentation and seeking confirmations by the building contractor and specialist sub contractors."
Disabled Access Certificates
The Bill also provides for Disabled Access Certificates.
Subsection (2) (c) (ix) states:
“ the submission to a building control authority of an application for a certificate of compliance with respect to requirements under the building regulations for provision of access to a building for persons with disabilities (a “disability access certificate”) and enabling the building control authority to grant such a certificate if in its opinion the building or extension of or material alteration to the building in respect of which the submission is made would comply with the relevant requirements of the building regulations”.
Energy Performance Certificates
Subsection 6B (1) states:
“A person who constructs a building of a prescribed class construction of which commenced on or after such a date as may be prescribed for the purposes of this subsection shall, before such building is occupied for the first time, secure a building energy rating certificate (herein after in this section referred to as a “BER certificate”) in relation to the building and shall produce such a certificate-
(a) where the construction of the building was commissioned by another person, to that person, and
(b) to the building control authority in whose functional area the building is situated, on demand being made by that authority for its production”
There are also requirements under the proposed 6B for a building energy rating certificate to be obtained for a new building, prior to its occupation for the first time.
There are obvious implications for both our professions and in particular the issue of Opinions of Compliance at the stage of conveyancing of property.
There are two important dates of the 26th April for a public hearing / presentation and 25th May 2006 for the Committee stage in Dáil Eireann.
The RIAI will be represented on these dates to answer questions and advise members of the Dáil.
64: Building Regs 2005 Part L, 2006 Edition
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued January 2006)
New Building Regulations 2005 Part L. (May 2006 Edition)
The Minister of the Environment, Dick Roche, has published, under article 7 of the Building Regulation 1997, Technical Guidance Document Part L ‘Conservation of Fuel and Energy, May 2006 Edition’.
It provides guidance in relation to Part L of the Second Schedule to the Regulations as inserted by Building Regulations (Amendments) Regulations (S.I. No. 873 of 2005).
These Building Regulations apply, in general, to the construction of new buildings and to extensions and material alterations to existing buildings from 1 July 2006.
The two previous editions of Part L (1997 and 2002 editions) cease to have effect from 1 July 2006.
There are transitional arrangements:
Works or buildings where work, material alteration or change of use commences or takes place before 30 June 2006
or
Where planning approval or permission has been applied for on or before 30 June 2006 and substantially complete (structure of the external walls have been erected) by 30 June 2008.
To read the Minister press release which covers the change to Part L click here
63: Digital builder info
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued September 2005)
How Do You Distribute Digital Information to the Building Contractor?
The RIAI Practice Committee is considering a Practice Note on an appropriate method of issuing digital information to the building contractor to head office or site.
Historically information was distributed in 'hard copy' by prints, or occasionally in negative form where there was a requirement for the contractor or nominated sub contractor to confirm builder's work information.
Most Architectural practices prepare drawings on computer and it is these computerised drawings that are requested by contractors, for ease of record storage, printing multiple copies and distributing to domestic sub contractors.
- Is there a problem issuing information in this manner?
- Some practitioners fear their designs will be plagiarised!
- Some practitioners fear their designs will be altered or modified!
As the Practice Committee considers the matters for the Practice Note, the RIAI is interested in hearing from practitioners as to what method they adopt to transmit this information; whether they have concerns or whether they have had difficulties and have successfully addressed these difficulties with a secure and practical procedure.
Note to members: 2010 Update – This issue is still being considered by RIAI Practice Committee
62: Digital Issue drawings
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued August 2005)
A Digital Issue for Practices - Transfer and Reproduction of Drawings
As part of an ongoing review of software for Architectural Practices; the dominance of one provider of drawing programmes; protection of copyright when transmitting digital information and the protection of digital information to building sites, the RIAI Practice Committee has placed all of these topics on their agenda with the intention of issuing Practice Notes.
As a commencement on a discussion on these topics, Mr. David Power MRIAI and Western Regional representative on RIAI Council has agreed to write his initial thoughts on the transfer of digital drawing information, whether to the building contractor, other members of the design team, clients, planning authority or others involved in the building process
Drawings issued for Printing:
When Architects’ CAD drawings are transmitted to be printed by others they may be incorrectly configured causing problems with text styles, line weights, dashed display, etc. The drawings can easily be printed off scale.
Possible Protective Measures
Include a scale bar and mark the drawing “not to scale”.
Include a copy of the Architects “ctb” (plot style) file for AutoCAD drawings to ensure correct line weight printing.
Lock drawing viewports in AutoCAD drawings to avoid inadvertent rescaling during printing.
How to Record Drawings that are being Issued:
CAD drawings can be easily changed by the recipient and may be modified and reissued with the Architect’s original title block. Extra vigilance in recording actual drawings issued is required.
Suggested Possible Protective Measures
- Save drawings in “read only” format.
- Issue a PDF copy of the drawing as an unalterable record with the original CAD drawing. (Several drawings & documents can be combined into one PDF book.)
- Attach a drawing issue slip in PDF format.
- Use a project Extranet. This will record all drawings and documents issued by all parties during the course of the project.
Consider Adding a Warning notes: e.g.: Drawing issued to contractor / subcontractor:
“This electronic data is provided to coordinate design information and its accuracy must be checked by the recipient. The data does not purport to be a finished design drawing. The drawing must not be edited or modified by the recipient.”
e.g.: Drawing returned to contractor/subcontractor following request for “approval” by Architect:
“These documents have been examined for adherence to design intent. Comments made on drawings shall not in any way release the contractor from his responsibility in respect of the accuracy required of all such drawings nor from his responsibilities for providing completed works suitable in dimension, construction and finish for the location which they occur. Dimensional accuracy and compliance of detail remain the responsibility of the contractor. Comments do not relieve specialist subcontractors of their design responsibilities.”
Practices must be encountering these potential difficulties on a regular basis and may have office procedures for dealing with these problems.
Further Reference Information: RIBA Journal October 2001 and July 2003.
61: Law Society agreed to online compliance docs
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued July 2005)
Law Society of Ireland and “RIAI Opinions on Compliance” Documents “On-Line” version
The Law Society has agreed to the proposed wording to be added to the ‘On-Line’ documents which confirms the documents are unaltered by the Architect signing the ‘On-Line’ version.
The proposed wording is as follows;
Front page after; ‘by registered RIAI Members only’, and it is warranted by the signatory that the standard text of this digital document is unaltered.
Last page at the Signature; Registered Member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, who warrants that the standard text of this digital document is unaltered.
This procedure will occur in June 2005.
60: Building By-Laws
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued June 2005)
Building By-Laws and Building Regulations Transitional Dates
In conversation with a Member who sought advice on dealing with an Opinion on Compliance concerning Building By-Laws, it was noticed that the Practice Note contained a misprint in respect of a date, which read 13 December 1999, instead of 12 December 1989. This Practice Note has been corrected on the RIAI website and the corrected version is below:
The Institute regularly gets enquiries from members about the key dates surrounding the introduction of Building Regulations in 1992.
13 December 1989: Buildings completed before this date will be deemed to have complied with By-laws unless the Building Control Authority serves a notice on them within 6 months of the Operative Date (1st June 1992).
13 December 1989 to 1st June 1992: Buildings started or completed in this period require to have Building By-Law Approval.
1st June 1992: Buildings started after 1st June 1992 will require Commencement Certificates and will require to comply with Building Regulations unless they are to be built in compliance with a By-Law Approval granted before 1st June 1992.
1st June 1992: Start of Fire Safety Certificates.
1st December 1992: The last day on which Building Control Authorities may serve a notice in respect of non-compliance with By-Laws.
59: Conditions of Engagement and Collateral Warranties
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued May 2005)
Conditions of Engagement and Collateral Warranties
RIAI Insurance Services / Marsh Ireland have seen sight of a number of conditions of engagement and collateral warranties from RIAI Members incorporating the following clauses;
Ensuring the Suitability of the Design
Their advice is that this is uninsurable as it may impose a requirement 'fitness for purpose'.
In one instance a variation on the words was used with "for the construction of the Works and the compliance of such designs with our requirements." This should also be rejected on the basis that it is saying the same thing only in a different way.
'Fitness for Purpose' is not covered under an Architect's Professional Indemnity Insurance
Indemnification Clauses
RIAI Members have been requested to sign indemnity clauses for the client/beneficiary arising from breach of duty. The advice has always been to RIAI Member that they should not accept indemnification clauses.
If the member agrees to indemnify, the indemnity will always be wider than the policy cover, which is subject to certain exclusions. If RIAI Member agrees to provide a full indemnity, the policy will only cover claims subject to its terms and exclusions.
The RIAI Member must also ensure that the indemnity is being provided solely in relation to architectural services, otherwise the claim will be excluded from the cover of their policy. A further concern is that the indemnity may allow the client a defence to a contributory negligence claim, when they were a contributing party.
If you have any doubt about any clauses in non RIAI conditions of engagement or collateral warranty, you should contact the RIAI or your professional indemnity insurance advisor.
58: Collateral Warranties for Professional Architectural Services
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued April 2005)
Collateral Warranties for Professional Architectural Services.
The RIAI recommend the use of their document Warranty for Professional Services and Client Architect Agreement for Architectural Services and if you are insured for Professional Indemnity by RIAI Insurance Services / Marsh Ireland your are insured under your policy when signing the RIAI warranty. Other P.I. may also provide this cover.
Practitioners working on mid to large size commercial projects will be aware that various forms of collateral warranties are being presented to architectural practices on behalf of clients, funders, building purchasers and tenants. The warranties are being devised by legal advisors on behalf of their clients and are at considerable variance from the RIAI warranty. In most instances, it will be obvious to practitioners that they cannot sign these warranties because of the legal obligations and burdens imposed by various clauses contained therein.
The common trend is to link the Conditions of Appointment with the Collateral Warranty or Warranties, at the time of the appointment of the Architect and Design Team. Previously, the Architect was commissioned and the Conditions of Appointment were signed and only later when the client sought funding from a bank or lending institution that the collateral Warranty was produced for signing; in some instances the project had commenced on site.
What to Do?
If Practitioners are required to sign warranties and conditions of appointment, other than the standard RIAI form, they should notify their professional indemnity insurer, sent the warranty and conditions of appointment to them and ascertain whether they are insured if they sign the document.
In addition they should consult their solicitor and send a copy to the RIAI if they wish to seek their advice.
57: Invalidations
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued March 2005)
Invalidations: Mind the Date of the Newspaper Notice
One of our Practitioners provided us with some recent invalidation experiences that may be of interest to our Practitioners. Strangely they have a general familiar ring to them, such as 1, 2 and 4 below. However, paragraph 3 highlights an issue that Practitioners may not be aware of; what is the acceptable duration of the newspaper notice normally regarded as 14 days?
Paragraph 3 notes that one Planning Authority regards the commencement date of the newspaper advert as the first day, say a Wednesday, and 14 days later is calculated to be Tuesday week, not Wednesday week.
This system of including the first day in the calculation with a conclusion on the 28 day period of appeals (effectively 27 days) is operated by An Bord Pleanála with the further complication of using the date of issue of the notice of planning permission or refusal, by the local authority, and not the date of delivery by registered post as the commencement date.
Most Practitioners will not run into difficulties with the duration of the newspaper notice as the will try and submit the planning application as close as possible to the date of the notice in order to permit validation within that period of time.
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Our latest invalidation stated that the site notice was not in place; we checked and the site notice was still in place on the correct location on site; we had photographed the notice as sometimes they are removed and the client had checked that it was in place during the application period. We have no option but to re-advertise as the planning clerk stated that 'they never make mistakes'. The invalidation letter arrived only the day before the decision was due. To question the invalidation would involve high court action?
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One local authority asked for horizontal overall dimensions on elevations in addition to the required vertical dimensions even though the floor plans were dimensioned.
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Lately our local authority insisted that the newspaper notice runs out of date the day before the date of publication.
e.g. if the paper comes is dated on a Wednesday the application must be in by Tuesday two-weeks ; this is probably strictly true and may be useful for practices to know to avoid this error.
- All elevations e.g. side elevations are to be drawn even if they are identical! It's not enough to state that they are handed. Likewise with floor plans e.g. if first and second plans are identical.’
56: Floor Area Compliance Certificates
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued February 2005)
Floor Area Compliance Certificates (FACC)
The Floor Area Compliance Certificate process, as implemented by the DoEHLG, requires products for use in house building to have a durable life of up to 60 years.
Some house builders have used new products which have Irish Agrément Board Certificates certifying compliance with Building Regulations. However, the Irish Agrément Board Certificate did not confirm that the product would have a durable life for the period sought by the DoEHLG i.e. up to a 60 year lifespan. This has now caused difficulties for house builders in securing the required Floor Area Compliance Certificate from the DoEHLG. An example of an area in which experiences are now being encountered is in the use of single ply pitched roofs.
Practitioners should note that their clients may take the view that the Architect has a responsibility to specify materials that are not rejected by the DoEHLG because they do not meet the 60 year lifespan requirement. 40 years has been accepted rather than 60 years on some occasions!. Practitioners are advised to read the FACC memorandum carefully.
A copy of the explanatory memorandum (HA1) as issued by the DoEHLG can be viewed here:
http://www.riai.ie/public/downloads/FACC.pdf (PDF, 154kb)
55: Building Regulations-Winders
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued January 2005)
It’s Official: Winders are now Specifically Mentioned in the Building Regulations
Michael McCarthy, Principal Officer, Building Standards/ Environmental Assessment at the DoE/H/lg, has written to the RIAI President Tony Reddy regarding the reprinting of the Technical Guidance Documents A – M of the Building Regulations in July 2005, and we quote below;
‘A list of corrections and amendments made to date since publication of the document is included at the beginning of each Technical Guidance Document 1997 -2004- Amendments and Corrections since 1997, summarising these amendments has also been included in the boxes. It is planed that this booklet will be updated on an ongoing basis as amendments are made and individual TGDs are updated’.
Technical Guidance Document K- Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards will read;
Paragraph 1.1.6. to read:
‘The varying thread width of a tapered step can cause people to misjudge distances and lead to fall. For this reason, the use of tapered steps should be avoided. If it is necessary to use them, they should preferably be situated at the bottom of the stairs.
Public stairs should not contain tapered steps.’
Availability of the Documents.
The reprinted documents are available from Government Publications Sales Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2: Telephone Number 01- 6476000.
The cost of a complete set of documents is Euro 75.00, inclusive of postage.
The documents can also be accessed and downloaded free of charge from the Department of the Environment’s web site at www.environ.ie
54: Floor Area Compliance Certs
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued October 2004)
Floor Area Compliance Certificate.
The Department of the Environment has issued a memorandum as guidance for those making an application for a floor area compliance certificate.
The FACC now replaces what was previously called Floor Area Certificate (FAC) which applied prior to 1st April 2004, for stamp duty exemption.
When a new apartment/ house is offered for sale and is within the specified floor area limits (not less than 38 sq. metres and not greater than 125 sq. metres) the developer/ vendor must obtain a Floor Area Compliance Certificate (FACC) to enable the purchaser to obtain stamp duty exemption.
This certificate confirms that the floor area of the house or apartment is within these specific floor area limits. The Regulations set out specific requirements for eligibility, specifies the required documents, technical standards dealing with design, construction standards and method of floor area calculations.
A Word of Caution!
It is within the area of Technical Standards that practitioners should be weary as there are requirements, if not originally addressed correctly could cause difficulties, some of which will be difficult and costly to remedy. Furthermore, in the case of stair winders (previously highlighted in e-Bulletin No. 10; 'House Builders Tripped Up by Stair Winders') the requirements exceed the requirements set out in the Building Regulations.
Practitioners are advised to obtain and read carefully the Memorandum and the Housing (Floor Area Compliance Certificate Inspections) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 128 of 2004). Copies are available form Government Publications Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
53: Opinion on compliance when you are NOT Architect
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued September 2004)
Opinion on Compliance on Planning Permission or Building Regulations when YOU are NOT the Architect. What should you do?
There is no standard form for circumstances when an Architect is requested to sign an opinion on compliance for either planning permission or building regulations when they were not the architect for the building or development. So what should you do if the situation arises?
If the original Architect is still available, he or she is the appropriate person to sign the opinion.
If the original Architect is not available, either deceased or uncontactable i.e. permanently residing abroad, members may consider signing an opinion on compliance for planning permission, if the planning permission file is available at the public counter of the planning authority and confirmation is possible by comparison with the file and a visual inspection. Files may not be available at the public counter after 5 years.
Confirmation with Building Regulations is not as simple, as the building or development has been constructed. Compliance with the Building Regulations could only be confirmed with confidence by opening up and the extent of opening up could be considerable. Permission to open up in most instances will be refused by the building owner or tenant. Compliance may possibly be confirmed where the original drawings are available for scrutiny and a comparison with the property or structure is possible. Compliance may also be possible for a simple structure.
Can the Architect, with confidence, confirm compliance with the building regulations?
The RIAI believe extreme caution should be exercised and Members are advised that offering opinions on Building Regulations, when they were not the Architect for the building or development and should be avoided.
52: Radon
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued August 2004)
Radon Measures for New Buildings
The DOE/H/LG has issued a revised edition of TGD Part C: Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture. This September 2004 edition has new guidance aimed at ensuring that radon protection measures, first introduced in 1997, are carried out more effectively Radon prevention guidance has been up-graded in the light of recommendations made by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) following a 2003 RPII Survey Report on Radon in new houses built in Ennis. This found strong evidence that the 1997 Building Regulations had led to a significant reduction in the incidence of high Radon levels in new houses. However, the RPII recommended that technical guidance on how to comply with the Regulations might be enhanced.
The new measures cover independent certification of materials, quality of installation and capping and identification of standby radon sumps
A useful feature of the new document is the inclusion of RPII Radon Prediction Maps, which will make it easier for an architect to check if a site is in a High Radon Area.
The recommendations of the amended Technical Guidance Document will apply to construction works (e.g. new houses, new workplaces etc.) commencing on or after 1 April 2005.
The full text of the revised TGD can be found on the DOE/H/LG website www.environ.ie/en/TGD
UIA Architecture & Children Golden Cubes Awards – Irish Nomination Process
A new International Award scheme has been developed to recognise initiatives that help children and young people to understand architecture and the built environment.
A new International Award scheme has been developed to recognise initiatives that help children and young people to understand architecture and the built environment. There will be awards for ‘Schools’, ‘Institutions’, ‘Written Media’ and ‘Audio-Visual Media’. The RIAI, as the professional body for architecture in Ireland, announces the launch of the Irish Nomination Process and invites applications from individuals and organisations involved in architectural and built environment education for children.
The Award Process has two stages. First, each country organises a selection process and nominates one entry in each category for submission for the International Awards. Then an International Jury will evaluate the nominated entries and select one for each Award. The International Awards will be presented at the 24th Congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA) in Tokyo, September 2011.
The RIAI will be running the National Nomination Process for Ireland. Entrants are invited to make submissions describing initiatives aimed at teaching children and young people, from pre-school up to the age of eighteen, about architectural design and the processes which form our environment. Submissions can cover anything (book, article, film, radio or TV programme, website, game, course, event, teaching material . . . ) produced at any time between 1 January 2007 and the Irish Nomination Process deadline of 17 January 2011.
We need to develop young people’s awareness of architecture, the city and sustainable development, so that as adults they will be able to make their voices heard and influence the political, economic and social strategies which affect their environment. As Louise Cox, President of the UIA, says: “The creation of a humane and sustainable environment is a challenge that involves us all – architects, planners, politicians and communities. I am convinced that if everybody had more understanding of the processes by which our environment is shaped, our towns and our countryside would be better and happier places to live.”
Entries for the Irish Nomination Process should be submitted by 4.00 pm, Monday 17 January 2011 to:
UIA Architecture & Children Golden Cubes Awards
RIAI
8 Merrion Square
Dublin 2.
The Awards Regulations, Entry Form, Template and Guidance for National Entrants can all be downloaded at: http://uiabee.riai.ie/.
Any queries about the Awards should be addressed in writing to: Email uia-goldencubes@riai.ie or Fax: 01 661 0948.
51: Code of Conduct
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued July 2004)
The RIAI Code of Professional Conduct and the Architect's Fee Arrangements with Clients
It is a requirement of the RIAI Code of Professional Conduct to provide and agree a fee arrangement for a project. Failure to do so is in breach of the Code.
The Code states the following:
'2.9 A member, before accepting an architectural commission, shall satisfy himself that he can provide the technical, financial and administrative resources required to complete it to a reasonable professional standard.
2.10 A member, when undertaking an architectural commission, shall confirm in writing the scope of the professional services to be provided, the fee arrangements and, as appropriate, the general aims and requirements of the project and any special circumstances and conditions relevant to the commission.
2.11 A member will respond promptly and courteously to a client's complaint in relation to the member's professional service.'
It is a common cause of complaint to the RIAI from clients of RIAI members that the fee arrangements for the project are not set out by the Architect prior to, or during the commencement stages of the project. Clients state that they in some instances have on numerous occasions requested this information, only to be surprised to receive, at the conclusion of a work stage or the conclusion of the project a fee the amount of which they did not expect, and to which they would not have agreed to in the first instance.
Circumstances like this lead to a lack of confidence in RIAI members by clients and members of the public. It also leads to complaints by clients against members, sometimes resolved by Mediation arranged by the RIAI, or a Formal Complaint, which is dealt with by the Code of Conduct Committee.
Practitioners are advised that there are a number of Client /Architect agreements available from the bookshop which clearly set out the scope of the project, the work stages and other services not included in the standard service.
- Agreement between Client & Architect for the Provision of Architectural Services. 2002 edition. Price: €12.10.
- Agreement between Client and Architect for Commercial Small Works. 2002 edition, revision 1. Price €12.10.
- Agreement between client and Architect for Domestic Work. 2002 edition, revision 1. Price: €12.10
- Agreement between client and Architect for Private Sector Estate Housing.(Where a full service is not required) 2002 edition. Price €12.10
- Agreement between client and Architect for Private Sector Apartments Development. (Where a full service is not required) 2002 edition. Price €12.10
50: SHW - Safety, Health and Welfare, NEW Construction Regulations 2004
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued June 2004)
MEMOS FOR MEMBERS ON THE NEW CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
Members are to note that government will bring into law in the New Year new Construction Safety Regulations. The design institutions together with government representatives on the Health and Safety Construction advisory board have spent the last 4 years fighting the more illogical and inoperable proposals in this legislation to no avail. It is important at this stage to inform you as members, of the key changes being proposed, which will not only affect our role as members of design teams or contracting organisations but also our clients and in particular members who heretofore have undertaken the role of project supervisor for the design stage.
The following is a brief summary of the proposed changes to the Regulations affecting each party to the construction safety management process
CLIENT
- Shall appoint in writing and confirmation of acceptance shall be in writing. This is a positive proposal and protects the client.
- Project supervisor for design process to be appointed on or before design work starts. However, considering new processes in relation to assessing competence this is going to prove difficult to comply with.
- There are obvious practical difficulties in deciding when design work starts. For example, would a client appointing an architect to carry out a feasibility study be obliged also to appoint a project supervisor.
- Clients now have a duty to co-operate with the project supervisor to enable them to comply with their duties and in relation to the time required to complete the project -positive move as it prevents clients escaping liability for issuing instructions overriding reasonable time requirements.
- A Client must provide or arrange to provide a copy of the preliminary health and safety plan to every person being considered for the role of PSCS. This Regulation is poorly drafted though the intention is good. The problem is that not every project gives rise to a preliminary health and safety plan, but the words "must" are used in the Regulation.
- There is a new section defining competence of all parties to the process. A client must be reasonably satisfied with respect to all parties including contractors and designers that they are competent to perform any requirement or not to contravene the relevant provisions of the regulations. Duty regarding appointment of designers and contractors extends to all persons making appointments.
- New duty to be reasonably satisfied that the party to be appointed has allocated or will allocate resources to comply with their duties.
- Both of the above imply a degree of knowledge regarding health and safety in the construction industry which goes beyond what would be expected of any lay client. In particular the issue as to resources is particularly problematic.
- Clients are to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that construction work does not commence unless a developed health and safety plan has been prepared. Again this imputes serious knowledge to a non professional as regards to what is developed health and safety plan. One solution to this problem is that the client could seek confirmation from his competent project supervisor construction stage that the developed plan is compliant with the regulations.
- Notices previously required to be given by the PSCS in relation to information on the project are now to be issued by the client prior to the commencement of the project and also on the appointment of the project supervisors. There will be problems for clients in obtaining from a co-operative PSCS the information necessary for the notice. It is not explicit in the regulations who provides the client with this information, but even if he does receive co-operation from all parties he remains solely liable under the regulations for the content of these forms.
- Overall, the regulations go well beyond the duties envisaged for the client under the EU directive in obliging him to become active in a process where he is expected to have adequate knowledge to assess that the parties are providing adequate resources to carry out their duties, and extend to deciding whether a developed health and safety plan is in place.
PROJECT SUPERVISOR FOR DESIGN PROCESS
- The key issue is requirement "to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable". This extends similar liability of the employer under safety legislation to the Project Supervisor without giving the control that an employer exercises as of right over the work. In our view, given the duties imposed, it will be difficult to avoid liability unless the appointee can exercise that control or uses the health and safety inspectorate extensively as a form of police enforcer. Failure to do so could leave the PS open to potential civil suit for breach of statutory duty. It is important to realise that "to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable" means doing everything possible i.e. the usual defence as to what can be reasonably expected from a professional is removed.
- Temporary works design are now the PSDS 's responsibility
- Safety File are now the PSDS's responsibility
- The change in nature of duties will oblige active involvement throughout the project as a PSDS must ensure cooperation between all designers on the same project and co-ordination of their activities.
- The problems with temporary works designers engaged by contractors and ensuring their cooperation and coordinating their activities is going to be difficult to effect in practice. Given that the PSDP has no direct relationship whatsoever with these designers and is entirely dependent on the contractors /sub contractors concerned, it is going to seriously affect the contractual relationships between all parties.
- The preliminary safety plan must now state the basis on which the time for the completion of the project was established.
- The plan must also contain the conclusions drawn by the designers and PSDP in taking account of the principles of prevention.
- The plan is required to indicate location of welfare facilities including connections. Again, how does the PSDP estimate the contractors' welfare requirements without knowledge of the contractors' resource allocations for the project?
- Plan must be prepared in time for issue to intending PSCSs.
- Plan must be retained for 5 years.
- Safety co-ordinator now only assists as opposed to taking over duties on behalf of the PSDP.
- The PSDP (and PSCS) can give directions to designers and contractors and if these directions are not followed, the PS must report this to the HSA. There is no right of appeal in this process. There are also obvious consequences for contract costs and programmes, particularly given the Government objective of introducing fixed price contracts.
DESIGNERS
- Designers must provide to the PSDP their written conclusions drawn by them as designers in taking account of the Principles of Preventions.
- The guidance notes go way beyond what was previously expected and would appear to be reflecting not only current HSE CDM guidance , but go beyond that advice - the design institutions have expressed serious concerns about the current draft to the Health and Safety Authority.
- PROJECT SUPERVISOR CONSTRUCTION STAGE
- As with the PSDP, their duties are now expressed as a duty to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, though some of the duties have been subsequently revised to exclude the duty to ensure. The CIF have serious misgivings with this expression, for reasons already outlined elsewhere in respect to the extension of civil and criminal liability.
- A full-time Safety Officer must be appointed by PSCS on sites where more than 100 persons on site at any one time.
- Minor modifications for management of safe pass etc
CONTRACTORS
- Contractors must now comply rather than take account of the reasonable directions of the PSCS. Note they have no corresponding duty to the PSDP even though they may be the party engaging the temporary works designer.
- New requirements to facilitate site safety representatives, possession of safe pass cards and that person under their control receive site specific safety induction programmes.
49: New Health and Safety Bill - Is it Safe?
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued May 2004)
THE NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY BILL / IS IT SAFE TO READ ON?
ISSUES FOR CONCERN
Some major issues are included in the new Bill which Minister Killeen has promised will be law by January 2005. The ACEI, IEI, RIAI and SCS intend to lobby TD's and Government during the Committee Stage of the Bill.
Among the major concerns is the introduction of a new layer of bureaucracy in the construction industry. Under a new section 17 any person who procures or commissions the design or construction of a place of work must now appoint a competent person who will ensure the place of work is designed and is capable of being constructed so as to be safe and without risk to health and further can be maintained during subsequent use without risk to heath and safely and is compliant with all relevant statutory provisions. Whilst it might be thought that this role would readily fall to the lead designer not every designer would wish to take on the additional liability of warranting that their building is capable of being constructed to be safe and without risk to health even if it is qualified by the words so far as is reasonably practicable.
The issue here is to ensure one person takes responsibility with respect to health and safety for the overall provision of the design of the place of work. Section 11 of the current Act refers to designers and persons who construct places of work, but given the divided nature of those responsibilities, there might in some circumstances be difficulties in pinning responsibility on a particular designer or contractor
DEFINITIONS
Place of Work
Under definitions it should be noted that places of work is now broadly defined as any place and not limited by the words in the current act "under the Employer's control". This is a serious change and could give rise to a serious extension of employers' liability and a review of current law on tort which limited liability as regards workers engaged in works on premises which were not in the employer's control.
Definition of "Client" as per construction regulations
Another serious issue in relation to the construction regulations is the definition of undertaking which is defined as being "engaged for gain in the production, supply or distribution of goods or the provision of services ". Whether the words "for gain " are separated from the provision of services is unclear, but public bodies and charitable and religious organisations could argue they do not provide services for gain. Could it be that they are outside the definition and thereby excluded from Client responsibilities under the construction regulations?
Competence
The definition of competence has also serious consequences in that the use of the word "person" would appear to have a more restrictive meaning than heretofore i.e. that of a real person (as opposed to the body corporate). The reason being that in defining competence it refers to that person possessing sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work undertaking. That, according to current legal advice, is capable only of being fulfilled by a real person. Hence the serious danger that the protection of persons working for limited liability companies or corporations and carrying out duties requiring competence may find themselves without the protection of that corporations or firms insurance as neither that firm or corporation is capable of being liable by definition as a competent person. This definitely is an issue that the Attorney General should be asked to look into.
Reasonably Practicable
There is now a very extensive definition of reasonably practicable though it is restricted to the duties of the employer.
PENALTIES
Note penalties under minor offences have been increased considerably to include up to 6 months in prison. The increase of the minimum fine to €3,000 does not appear to be in line with inflation given that in 1989 the max fine was €1,900. The maximum fine is 3 million and /or 2 years in prison. The inspectors can also impose on the spot fines up to €1000 which can be accepted by the recipient or alternatively they can opt to challenge it through the courts.
SUMMARY
Generally the remainder of the act spells out in greater detail what is expected of employers, and the safety statement is more broadly defined.
NEW CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
Brief report on current situation
The attached letter from the presidents of all 4 design institutions has been forwarded to H.S.A chairman, Tom Beegan, regarding the process of consultation on the Guidelines, which are intended to clarify the proposed Regulations but in fact do the opposite. Both sides had given a commitment to the minister to progress the designers' complaints by addressing the issue by means of production of acceptable Guidelines. It had been understood that at the end of that process that any remaining problems would be addressed by a further review of the legislation.
It would appear that the process engaged in by the health and safety inspectorate was one of merely providing their opinionated guidelines, going through the designers' response, apparently accepting changes arrived at by consensus, but then reissuing the guidelines with a differing slant on the agreed changes and no further discussion.
The indications are that the guidelines will be forwarded for approval by the board and will go to the minister to be issued with the regulations unchanged.
It is the view of the four institutions that the proposed Guidelines go far beyond any reasonable interpretation of the Construction Regulations.
At a recent meeting of the CIC the following strategy was agreed:
- Delegation to meet Mr Beegan to press for change and if that fails press for a meeting with the Minister (which was promised by his predecessor)
- If neither action is successful, the design institutions will advise their members that the role of project supervisor for the design process may not be covered by their standard PI insurance, given the extent of the additional duties arising and the onus on the person to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that those duties are carried out. Note that in contrast to the UK legislation, the Irish legislation does not exclude project supervisors from civil liability suits arising from failure of their duty of care in carrying out their statutory duties.
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The RIAI are prepared to take a case against the EU directive on the basis that in relation to design and client responsibilities the research on which the legislation is based is fundamentally flawed.
48: Loft Conversions
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued April 2004)
Loft Conversion – Protect Your Family.
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has issued a booklet called “Loft Conversion Protect Your Family.”
The booklet includes recommendation on taking professional advice; fire safety; the legal requirements; escape provisions; fire detection and alarm system; protection to structural elements; electrical installations and other aspects of conversions including houses of architectural / historic importance.
The relevant Technical Guidance Document, on how to comply with Parts A – M inclusive, can be viewed on the department’s web site: www.environ.ie/en/TGD or purchased from the Government’s Publications Sale Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Telephone:01 - 6476000
47: Advertising Code
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued March 2004)
RIAI Council Agree Changes on Advertising Code.
The RIAI Council removed the restriction on paid advertising formerly contained in the RIAI Code of Professional Conduct. The new rules are operative from 23 April 2004. The only restrictions are that any advertising should be truthful, should not reflect unfavorably on other architects and should not bring the profession into disrepute.
The new wording is in Clause 1 of Appendix 4 of the Code of Professional Conduct: Rules of Council in Respect of Publicity Material and the Promotion of Practices, which is revised to read as follows:
"1. A member should not publish or cause to be published an advertisement which:
(a) is false or misleading in any respect
(b) is likely to bring the architectural profession into disrepute
(c) reflects unfavourably on other architects."
The RIAI believes that the change is in the interests of both consumers and the profession. Consumers are entitled to information about the services offered by architects and RIAI members and practices and they now have the freedom to present their qualifications, skills and services to the public.
Members should state in any advertising that they are RIAI Members or RIAI Registered Practices.
46: DOEHLG Commencement Notice
(RIAI Information Paper - Issued February 2004)
New Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Commencement Notices
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has issued an advice notice on a new form of Commencement Notice to be issued by all local authorities from 1st May 2004.
The Building Control Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 496 of 1997) is amended from the 4th March 2004 and will be implemented by the Regulations of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2004 Act, Statutory Instruments S.I. No. 85 of 2004 from 1st April 2004.
The purpose of the Amendment is to provide greater statistical information on residential developments.
For further information: http://www.riai.ie/public/downloads/commencement_notice.PDF (90kb)
RIAI Press Release
The number of registered architects, members of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), who earn less than €20,000 a year, has doubled to more than 25% of all architects in the last year according to an RIAI conducted survey just published*.
60% of architects earn less that €45,000 a year
Numbers earning less that €20,000 double in a year
VAT break for small building projects could help stop the rise and rise of the black economy
Converting empty buildings into badly needed schools gives NAMA chance to pay social dividend
Commenting on the survey results, John Graby, Director of the RIAI, said “Architecture was never a high paying profession but in the last year, in line with the broader construction industry, salary rates have collapsed. More than 22% of those surveyed described themselves as either unemployed or working part time while a further 35% are now working for themselves on smaller projects. This could be described as a brain freeze with a substantial cohort of some of the country’s most creative people under or unemployed.
“This lack of work for architects is even more ironic because we had the greatest response ever, with just short of 1,000 consultations taking place, at the recent annual RIAI Simon Open Door Weekend where members of the public booked one-hour consultations with RIAI architect in exchange for a €50 donation to Simon. A thousand consultations over a weekend strikes me as indicating that there’s a big pent up demand for the typical smaller project that normally keeps architects employed and that in this case could bring many of them back from the dole.
“Worryingly, though architects never handle clients’ money, they are reporting that they are seeing a definite increase in the black economy with cash passing between client and builder. A small, and we believe self-funding, initiative that would eliminate the black economy in this area would be to give a VAT amnesty or a substantial reduction in rates for smaller projects, designed by registered architects to ensure the highest standards, which would mean there would be no incentive to avoid paying tax and no benefit to those who choose to break the law. This VAT holiday has been used in both Belgium and France and with builders paying income, PRSI and corporation taxes the move was greatly tax positive for those States. We’ve seen the success of the car scrappage scheme and the €200 second home charge. We believe a similar scheme for household projects could have similar benefits for the country.
The RIAI is recommending that Government, in prioritising their capital spending, should look at converting some of the existing infrastructure, empty office, apartments and houses, into badly needed school buildings to replace the plague of Portakabins currently in use**. For those who might be concerned at swapping huts for houses instead of ‘proper’ schools many, if not most, of the schools that are being built are designed to a standard format that was applicable forty years ago. Since then there has been a revolution in teaching methods that is not being reflected in how school buildings are being designed. Far from costing extra money, good design saves money, even on something as simple as having a design that allows for the use of a school as a community centre outside of school hours – something that is standard in Nordic countries. Architects are confident that they can transform existing buildings into first class facilities, possibly giving NAMA its first social dividend.
Mr Graby added, “In an interview given by world renowned film director, David Putnam***, in a recent issue of the RIAI magazine, Architecture Ireland, said, “In Ireland, there is currently a massive disconnect between what is the norm in the private sector and in our schools. Why should we expect to recruit good teachers to work in substandard accommodation when we don’t expect that of KPMG employees, for example? Why would schools be different? There have been very few attempts to dignify the profession, and a serious effort has to be made now.”
However, conditions in some of our schools in Ireland have been previously described by Lord Putnam, who has a home in West Cork, as a “cause for national shame”.
Lord Putnam said, “In recent times I have watched a major transformation in the UK in terms of the quality of its educational infrastructure. I have seen at first hand the enormous difference it makes to teachers and students, if they are being in taught in a modern, quality environment. It makes them feel that someone has cared about what they do. In the economic boom of the past decade we have had any number of tax breaks offered if you wanted to invest in a hotel or apartment. I have yet to see any tax breaks that apply to building a school. The public has not been offered the opportunity to invest our taxes in the infrastructure of our schools. There has been also no benchmarking exercise to look at Ireland in an international context, comparing our education infrastructure and the IT capacity of our schools with that of countries with similar challenges and opportunities. We need to find out, what do they do right that Ireland is doing wrong? If the Irish Government has not undertaken any comparative benchmarking, how do we know where we stand?”
Commenting on the importance of the availability of a quality educational infrastructure for Ireland to deliver the Smart Economy Lord Putnam said, “It is essential. In the 1970s, Ireland got off to a flying start by getting its technology act together faster than other countries, thereby creating inward investment. The ball was completely dropped in the last ten years when the revenue was coming in. Why did we invest in apartment buildings that we don’t live in rather than in the essential infrastructure of our schools and our health system? Are our children not more valued? If the Taoiseach means what he says about building Ireland’s future, then we need to set new priorities. It’s about priority and political will.
“In the UK there have been dramatic improvements and every month 12 new schools are opened. This is the biggest investment in school building since Victorian England. If the UK’s Better Schools programme, which was started in 2000, is completed, it will mean that every single school in the UK will have been either rebuilt or refurbished by 2020. It involves just under 7000 schools and includes the necessary rewiring and equipping with technology. It will transform these schools into 21st century teaching spaces. As part of my advisory role for the Labour Government, I also looked at international exemplars, and it emerged that the Nordic countries and Singapore are particularly leading the way.”
*The RIAI commissioned survey, carried out by email of all members of the RIAI, had responses from a total of 658 architects. The survey was carried over April and May 2010.
***According to media reports an extra 10,000 children will be starting primary school in Ireland every year (on top of the usual 60,000 plus that start each year) and according to the Department of Education’s own website, 1,100 schools are currently seeking major capital investment, with 250 in architectural planning and construction.
***After Lord Putnam retired from film production he became an advisor to two successive Ministers of Education, including Estelle Morris, with the Labour Government in the UK. In this capacity, he has visited over 400 schools in the UK and a dozen or so in Ireland.
Sustainable Design Tool Guidance
Do you know your DEAP from your PHPP, or your BREEAM from your LEED?
The field of sustainable design tools has undergone an explosion in recent years, and is constantly changing, due to increased computing power and increased demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use energy more efficiently.
In response, the Sustainability Task Force of the RIAI has produced introductory guidance on Sustainable Design Tools.
This guidance is aimed at giving RIAI members a clearer idea of the range of sustainable design tools on the Irish market and equipping members with some basic knowledge to help you navigate through what is a rapidly changing environment.
We hope that by the time you finish reading the guidance you will have a clearer idea of the categories of tools available, some basic information on common tools currently in use in Irish practices, some illustrations of how and at what stage these tools have been used on recent projects, as well as some basic concepts to bear in mind when selecting a sustainable design tool to suit your needs.
Documents to Download:
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Introduction
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Matrix - Simple Calculation Tools
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Matrix - Whole Building Energy Calculation Tools
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Matrix - Simulation Tools
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Matrix - Environmental Tools
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Matrix - Specification Tools
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Case Study 01 - PHPP, Therm, RETScreen
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Case Study 02 - BREEAM, Ecotect, PHPP
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Case Study 03 - iSBEM
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Case Study 04 - Radiance
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Case Study 05 - FloVent"
RIAI Information Paper 2010/05 on SUDS
From RIAI Sustainability Task Force
Implications for Development and Planning Permission of Dublin Area Study and Review of Dublin City Council SuDS – Points system for Planning Applications
The Greater Strategic Drainage Study examined the drainage needs of the Greater Dublin area and was published in 2004. This resulted in a Final Strategy Report and five Regional Drainage Policies. The policy on ‘New Development’ is the only policy highlighted in this Information Paper - the impacts on the greater Dublin region of precipitation / flooding - and the control required by the region on future development. The final report resulted in the policies being adapted by local authorities in the region, policies that have a significant impact on all planning applications, including smaller projects and domestic extensions. Dublin City, Fingal, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath County Councils are the local authorities who participated in the study, and are now implementing the policy at planning level.
One of the report recommendations require that each planning application incorporates Sustainable urban Drainage [ SuDs ] to the extent required in the recommendations.
While the application and procedure adopted by each council may vary, the objective of ensuring provision in each planning application for attenuation of surface water for the application site, or any new addition, is consistent.
Planning legislation provides for regulation of the connection of new drainage to a public system or intensification of use. The legislation also provides for on-site drainage treatment. The new policy, now incorporated into the planning process, provides a regulation framework for dealing with surface water appropriate to the scale and extent of the development.
All developments are subject to the new requirements, enforceable through the normal planning process. Medium to large scale developments, with the benefit of a full design team will be familiar already with the design considerations. However, as the policy filters down to small projects, houses and extensions requiring planning permission, the project may not have the benefit of expertise familiar with the detailed requirements.
Failure to be aware of the requirements may lead to design alterations or, if the project proceeds on site without the requisite approvals, to delays and claims. If requirements particular to the site are not established at design stage a planning permission may be granted with a condition that all drainage must obtain approval prior to affecting the planning permission. Post planning is a very late stage to incorporate green roofs, attenuation storage or permeable surfaces that meet the SuDs requirements without major design changes. This is particularly relevant for sites with intensive plot ratios and will impact significantly on extensions and developments in urban areas. The application of a variety of solutions to attenuate water on an intensively developed and hard landscaped site, without recourse to an engineered solution, may causes difficulties for smaller projects with limited budgets.
The best practice guidance for any development is to:
- Consult with local authority Drainage department prior to planning.
- Establish clear guide lines on the requirements applicable to the development site.
- Develop solutions appropriate to the design and site.
- Incorporate the design solution in the planning application and seek concurrent approval from the drainage department.
- The general principle is that, as with building regulations or fire safety, that the execution of the design is possible without alterations affecting planning compliance.
Dublin City Council has issued a draft document ‘Dublin City Council SuDS – Points system for Planning Applications’ dated November 2009 and the STF were requested to review the document for the RIAI. The document comprises:
- A table stipulating the type of development and the SuDS points required for each type of development.
- A list of options assigning points to a variety of SuDS methods commonly used in projects.
- Explanatory notes on the use of the points and its application.
The document is intended to provide compliance guidance in an accessible format allowing designers to apply either one, or a number of SuDs solutions to the design. The SuDS points system contains a number of caveats and it is formulated from an engineering viewpoint. The system applies provides guidance to projects that are small / medium in scale or constitute a average domestic or small commercial development. Six development categories are listed – four are domestic scale, from resurfacing of driveways to a single house. One of the remaining categories includes residential developments and by implication any houses over 100m². The points system is a helpful tool to facilitate compliance at an early design stage, thought careful study is required to ensure a full understanding how it is properly applied.
It is likely that the new requirements resulting from Final Strategy Report will not be easy to incorporate into some projects and that some architects will feel obliged to seek the advice of an engineer to achieve compliance, ensuring a successful application within the normal timescale without a requirement to submit additional information.
The issue of guidance on the SuDS requirements for planning applications by Dublin City Council is welcome. A comprehensive guidance document, encompassing all aspects of regulations relating to sustainability, with compensating factors to accommodate the diversity of sites and projects, would seem to be next obvious step. The situation should clearly be avoided that several sections of a local authority issues individual and un-coordinated requirements that applicants are required to consult on, and meet, for every individual application. A commonality of approach from all Local Authorities to the planning process, and the technical requirements regulated by the planning process, is highly desirable.
Patrick de Roe FRIAI
Sustainability Committee
Note: Click here for document from Dublin City Council Drainage Division_26 November 2009
Useful Green Links
The following is a non exhaustive list of links to environmental, green and sustainability websites which of use to the professional and the public. As weblinks can change rapidly, please use the main root core should the web page not open. We have consciously not made reference to specific building products as these should be used with the assistance of professional independent advice. If there are suggestions to this list please let me know and we will add them on.
Bernard Gilna on behalf of the Sustainability Task Force, RIAI Feb 2010
Global- Climate Change
- Change.ie: http://www.change.ie
- EPA explanation on Climate Change: http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/climate/
- RIBA stance on global change: http://www.architecture.com/FindOutAbout/Sustainabilityandclimatechange/ClimateChange/ClimateChange.aspx
Legislature- Global
- UN Climate Change: http://en.cop15.dk/
- European: http://ec.europa.eu/sustainable/welcome/index_en.htm
- National: http://www.environ.com
- Building Regulations: see ‘Certification’ below
Energy
- Dept. Communications, Energy & Natural Resources: http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Energy/
- Water http://www.wfdireland.ie/
- Flood risk guidelines- planning http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,21709,en.pdf
Waste
- Forfas: http://www.forfas.ie/media/forfas070320_waste_management_report.pdf
- EPA: http://www.epa.ie/researchandeducation/research/projects/waste/
Biodiversity
- An Taisce: http://www.antaisce.org/naturalenvironment/Biodiversity/tabid/293/language/en-IE/Default.aspx
Ecology
- How to calculate your Carbon footprint http://www.change.ie
- Urban Design http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/PlanningDevelopment/Planning/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,19216,en.pdf
Planning & Design
- RIAI Sustainability Policy See Separate Document in Sustainability Area of RIAI Website
- Rural Housing guidelines http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,1620,en.pdf
- Residential Development guidelines http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,19164,en.pdf
- Software Design Tools Guidance See Separate Document in this Sustainability Area of RIAI Website
Climate Change & The Home
- Guidance on permeable paving for front gardens: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/pavingfrontgardens.pdf
- The Natural Step org http://www.thenaturalstep.org/en
- Climate change & your home - specific info re retaining sash windows.....http://www.climatechangeandyourhome.org.uk/live/research_generic.aspx
- Ireland - National Climate change Strategy 2007-2012 http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Atmosphere/FileDownLoad,1861,en.pdf
- Flood risk guidelines- planning http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,21709,en.pdf
- Wind Energy Guidelines http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,1633,en.pdf
- Micro renewables In domestic situations http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/PlanningDevelopment/Planning/TopicalIssues/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,16673,en.pdf
Climate change toolkit
- Architecture.com: http://www.architecture.com
- Zero Carbon Refurbishment toolkit http://www.tzero.org.uk/About.aspx
- U value calculations http://www.xtratherm.com/software/software.php
- Insulation http://www.xtratherm.com/products/literature/Xtratherm%20-%20The%20Guide.pdf
- Statistical data and practical guidance and standards http://www.sei.ie/publications/
- ditto UK but highly relevant http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Building-Professionals
Certification
- Building Regulations IRE http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/
- Building Energy Rating http://www.sei.ie/Your_Building/BER/
Optional Labelling/classification of building
- LEED http://www.usgbc.org
- BREEAM http://www.breeam.org/
- BREEAM Ireland http://www.breireland.ie/page.jsp?id=29
- Passive house Institute http://www.passiv.de/
- Code for Sustainable homes http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/buildingregulations/legislation/codesustainable/
- Ecohomes http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=21
Heating
- Construction techniques http://www.cat.org.uk/news/news_content.tmpl?subdir=Media&category=Building
Renewables
- Good starting point http://www.sei.ie/Renewables/Renewable_Energy_Information_Office_REIO_/
Other National Architectural Organisational websites:
- Resources Canada http://www.nrcan-rncan.gc.ca/com/index-eng.php
- The U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC): http://www.usgbc.org
- The American Institute of Architects (AIA):
- RIBA http://www.architecture.com/FindOutAbout/Sustainabilityandclimatechange/Sustainabilityandclimatechange.aspx
- Australian Institute of Architects http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=13292
- List of International Associations http://architectafrica.com/Institutes
Green Specs
Embodied energy
Residential
- Passive house Institute http://www.passiv.de/
- Commericial http://www.cibse.org/pdfs/ECG019.pdf
- Conservation http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/
- UK guidance on historic buildings including refurbishment http://www.helm.org.uk/index.php
Money
- IRL Grants- Refurb domestic http://www.sei.ie/grants/
- EU Grants- Energy Efficency Conservation http://www.new4old.eu/
- Lifecycle Costing http://www.architecture.com/Files/RIBAHoldings/PolicyAndInternationalRelations/Policy/Environment/WholeLifeAssessment.pdf
Irish specific websites
- Dept of Environment http://www.environ.ie
- SEI http://www.sei.ie
- Comhar http://www.comharsdc.ie/
- Cultivate.ie http://www.sustainable.ie/cultivate/calendar/index.htm
- Construct Ireland http://constructireland.ie/
- Environmental & Sustainable Construction http://www.easca.ie
- Carbon counter http://www.change.ie
- Dublin travel counter http://www.dto.ie/web2006/jp.htm
- Feasta http://www.feasta.org/
- EPA http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/climate/
- Products http://www.edie.net/ireland/
- Bike to work http://www.bikescheme.ie/
Colleges- R&D
- UCD http://erg.ucd.ie/
- Trinity http://www.tcd.ie/research/tee/
- DIT http://sustainability.dit.ie/
- Cork http://www.ucc.ie/en/serg/energyefficiency/
- DKIT http://ww2.dkit.ie/staff_and_admin/strategy/the_sustainable_living_institute
- WIT http://www.wit.ie/SchoolsDepartments/SchoolofEngineering/DepartmentofEngineeringTechnology/sustainability/
- UL http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Faculties/Science_%26_Engineering/Research/Research_Institutes/CPI
CPD, Courses, Seminars
- Cultivate http://www.sustainable.ie/cultivate/calendar/index.htm
- RIAI CPD http://cpd.riai.ie
- CIBSE http://www.cibseireland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=186&Itemid=113
ONLINE
- Sustainable.ie http://www.sustainable.ie/directory/subcategory.php?id=3
- AIA http://www.aia.org/practicing/groups/kc/AIAS077433
- CAT http://www.cat.org.uk/
- http://www.construct-it-green.org/index.php?lang=2
- BER/LOW CARBON http://www.rickabythompson.com/Training-and-CPD_Ireland.html
Role of the Sustainability Task Force
The primary function of the Sustainability Task Force is to act as a focus group (within the RIAI) that advances and implements institute policy on sustainability in the built environment.
Specific tasks will be undertaken to further the policy on sustainability:
- Carry out an annual review of RIAI policy, activities and outcomes during the year.
- Monitor and advise the RIAI on international developments principally through liaison with ACE, UIA & RIBA.
- Assist the RIAI in the implementation of national and international measures, working as appropriate with other interested organisations:
- Monitor and report on new and proposed legislation and initiatives; and draft appropriate responses on behalf of the RIAI.
- Initiate proposals on behalf of the RIAI as appropriate.
- Support the development of expertise among members and students:
- Identify deficiencies in expertise.
- Implement measures in response including:
- Propose CPD.
- Prepare regular Bulletin notes.
- Develop a website resource database to include references to publications, design tools, expertise / contacts, exemplars etc.
- Publish articles in AI and other journals as appropriate.
- Contribute to Good Practice Guide.
- Assist the formulation of education policies.
- Initiate bi-annual liaison meetings between Chairpersons of RIAI committees and task forces.
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Promote sustainability in the built environment amongst national and local government, the public, clients and partners in the construction sector.
- Support and acknowledge excellence in sustainability in the built environment.
- Establish criteria and assess projects for the annual RIAI Sustainability Award.
- Contribute to 3rd party task forces and committees as appropriate.
- Promote working links with institutions and organisations with similar objectives.
- Develop appropriate guidance notes for clients.
RIAI Policy on Sustainability
The RIAI recognises that the built environment has a major impact on the sustainability of global systems. The RIAI will assist members in placing environmental, social and economic sustainability at the core of their professional responsibilities to ensure that sustainable design is part of normal practice.
Commitment:
The RIAI commits itself to:
- The active promotion of the principles of sustainable development as an essential consideration in Architectural Design Practice and Education.
- The formulation of proposals in support of those principles.
- The actions to implement those proposals.
- Promote and recognise best practice exemplars.
Measures:
Specific measures will encompass;
- Contribution to the implementation of agreed national and international measures in support of sustainable development, working with other interested organizations.
- Development of professional techniques to enable the implementation of this policy by its members, providing practical support to them in their work.
- Education of RIAI members and architectural students.
- Promotion of sustainability in the built environment amongst the public, clients and partners in the construction sector.
CAS Call for proposals
Call for proposals for new capital assistance type projects to be completed in 2010
The Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government has indicated €25m will now be allocated through a new call for proposals for capital assistance type projects that can be completed and money drawn down in 2010. This is likely to (due the short turnaround time ) primarily comprise of the acquisition/purchase of existing properties available for sale on housing market, in an area where there is a housing need and where identified properties may be suitable for the particular client group (i.e. older people, people with disabilities and the homeless).
Project proposals may include provision for minor modifications of acquired properties where it is anticipated that any purchase and modifications would be completed substantially in the calender year of 2010. Hybrid proposals for projects may also be considered.
Downloads:
4 June 2010 - DOE Circular SHIP 2010/13 - Capital Assistance Scheme
SEAI Energy Efficiency Retrofit Fund 2010
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI are managing the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Fund on behalf of the Irish Government.
The scheme is open to public and private sector organisations that are committed to the implementation of energy efficiency projects and related initiatives.
A guide for Applicants is available called Version 1 and it should be read carefully.
SEAI state that “Private sector and commercial state agencies should consult with SEAI in advance of making an application”.
Note: Projects must be completed and drawdown of funds must occur by 1st December 2010.
Downloads:
Energy Efficiency Refrofit Fund - Guide for Applicants Version 1.0
RIAI Travelling Scholarship 2009/2010
The theme for this year’s Travelling Scholarship Award was Building in the Landscape. Many of the schemes met the challenge of this theme head-on with well considered proposals for building in a sensitive rural location.The theme for this year’s Travelling Scholarship Award was Building in the Landscape. Many of the schemes met the challenge of this theme head-on with well considered proposals for building in a sensitive rural location.
This brief is the first of a three-part exploration of the competition:
- Rural 2010
- Suburban 2011
- Urban 2012
There were a total of 70 entries received for the Rural 2010 from three Schools of Architecture, Dublin Institute of Technology, University College Dublin and Waterford Institute of Technology.
The assessment of entries took place on the 19th April 2010. The presentation of Winner’s Medal, Certificates for Highly Commended and opening of Exhibition took place on 18th May 2010 in the Ballymun Civic Centre, Ballymun Road, Dublin 11. The Ballymun Civic Centre was an exciting venue and a great success.
The Exhibition is held in the Atrium, Ballymun Civic Centre and is open to all until 4th June 2010.
The Jury were as follows:
Gary Mongey (Convenor) MRIAI
Stephen Gallagher, MRIBA
Shane Mc Enroe, MRIAI
Rory Murphy, MRIAI
The Winner of the Travelling Scholarship Medal was Breffni Greene.
(Martin Donnelly, Chairperson, Board of Architectural Education and Breffni Greene Winner, Travelling scholarship 2009/2010)
The following were Highly Commended:
Thomas Comerford
Raukura Turei
Ger Brennan
Sean Kehoe
Stephen Murphy
Paul O’Brien
Leanne Martin
Brian Casey
The following were also selected for Exhibition:
Wendy S. Adams
Sean Attley
Jonathan Buckley
Conor Coughlan
Aisling Flanagan
Paul Geoghegan
Dualta Mc Cormac Jones
Conchuir O’Hargain
Adrian Kelly
Uldis Krautmanis
John Crowley
The Medal and Certificates were presented by Martin Donnelly, Chairperson, Board of Architectural Education. Gary Mongey, Convenor, gave a short talk on the Assessor’s Report.
The RIAI would like to thank Gary Mongey and the Jury. The RIAI would also like to thank Anne Lynch, MRIAI, Architect's Department, Dublin City Council and Joanne O’Hagan, Communications Officer, Dublin City Council for all their help in organising the hire of the Council Rooms and Exhibition area.
20th Century Architecture of Cork - Book Launch at the Cork Vision Centre 26 May, 2010
Dear All,
On behalf of the committee of the Southern Region of the RIAI it is my pleasure to invite you to the book launch of 'A Guide to Cork's 20th Century Architecture' by Tom Spalding.
The joint publication by Cork Civic Trust and the Southern Region of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland will be officially launched by Myrtle Allen at the Cork Vision Centre, North Main Street on Wednesday 26th May at 6pm.
Please RSVP to visioncentre@eircom.net or give me a call at 087 911 6929.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Kind regards,
Kevin Smyth MRIAI
Chair Southern Region RIAI
Q5 Waltrovka, Prague Architectural Competition
The competition is a two stage architectural design contest for The Lofts zone of Q5 Waltrovka. The RIAI is administering a competition on behalf of the competition promoters, Red Group
The Launch of Q5 Waltrovka, Prague Architectural Competition was announced 24 May, 2010
The RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) is administering a competition on behalf of the competition promoters, Red Group www.redgroup.cz/en/
The competition is a two stage architectural design contest for The Lofts zone of Q5 Waltrovka.
Competitors are asked to reinvent the existing structures on the site to create a distinctive mixed use development comprising residential ‘loft’ style dwellings and non-prime offices. The competition winners will be commissioned on a design only basis.
RIAI CPD LINKS – RIAI Recognised CPD Providers
The RIAI is pleased to announce the launch of RIAI CPD LINKS, a Partnership between Providers of Continuing Professional Development and the RIAI.
The RIAI is pleased to announce the launch of RIAI CPD LINKS, a Partnership between Providers of Continuing Professional Development and the RIAI.
To expand the range of CPD provision to our members, and in response to demand from education providers, the RIAI has launched this initiative for partnership with people and organisations who offer educational programmes, publications and events which would be useful for Architects and Architectural Technicians/Technologists.
Why RIAI CPD LINKS?
As part of its CPD support system the RIAI itself provides members with a wide range of technical and professional information in the form of publications, lectures, courses and advice. However, many other organisations – professional, educational and commercial – deliver programmes and events which can be of educational value to RIAI members.
In 2000 the RIAI introduced the ‘RIAI CPD Network’. The objective of the Network was to improve the quality and content of information given to architects by manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to the construction industry.
The new RIAI CPD LINKS system is intended to increase substantially the range, depth and quality of CPD opportunities available to RIAI members. This will bring to three the strands of CPD offered through the RIAI:
- RIAI Programmes, provided by the RIAI itself
- RIAI CPD Links
- RIAI CPD Network
Who can join the RIAI CPD LINKS?
People and organisations eligible for inclusion in RIAI CPD LINKS List may include:
- Educational Institutions
- Professional Bodies
- Individuals, companies, organisations, groups or associations offering educational activities or programmes relevant to architects and architectural technicians/ technologists.
The primary purpose of the programme must be educational. The RIAI makes a clear distinction between educational and marketing activities. People or organizations providing educational activities primarily as a vehicle for the promotion of their own product or service are excluded from RIAI CPD LINKS. So the following groups should refer to the ‘RIAI CPD Network’ system:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of building materials, products, components or equipment
- Specialist service suppliers
- Associations of manufacturers or suppliers
- Marketing, management, IT, financial and other companies who are promoting a service to the architectural profession.
The decision on whether an activity is primarily educational or primarily promotional rests solely with the RIAI.
The RIAI’s membership includes fully qualified Architects and Architectural Technicians / Technologists, and also graduates who are in training for their professional examinations.
Members work in a wide range of roles in both public and private sectors, in practice, in industry and in education.
The range of roles and activities in which our members engage is constantly evolving. Their core skills are set out in the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architect and the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architectural Technologist, both of which are attached.
However, many have an interest in expanding their knowledge and skills beyond what is required for their core activities or chose to follow other related career tracks. So the range of topics which may have relevance is very wide indeed and the list of additional fields given here is non-exhaustive.
- Arbitration, Mediation and Negotiation
- Archaeology
- Art (all fields)
- Business (including marketing, finance, etc.)
- Communication and Languages
- Design (urban, landscape, furniture, product, graphic, etc.)
- Education, Training and Mentoring
- Economics and Politics
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- IT
- Law
- Management
- Multi-media (Web Design, CAD, Photography, etc)
- Planning, (Spatial, strategic, etc.)
- Property and Development Economics
- Psychology and Sociology
- Research
- Technology
Any provider uncertain as to whether a field or topic might be suitable is invited to contact the RIAI for guidance before submitting a formal application.
If RIAI CPD LINKS is suited to the training that your organization provides, and you would like to make an application or speak to somebody in the RIAI, then please refer to the attached brochure and application form or contact Sharyn Roffe at sroffe@riai.ie.
Applications should be returned to: CPD Manager, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2,
Ireland.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Sharyn Roffe MRAI or Teresa Harte
CPD Manager CPD Officer
sroffe@riai.ie tharte@riai.ie
T:353 1 676 1703
F:353 1 661 0948
W: www.riai.ie
Yours Sincerelly,
Ann McNicholl FRIAI
Education Director
RIAI CPD Links
Dear Member,
The RIAI is pleased to announce the launch of RIAI CPD LINKS, a Partnership between Providers of Continuing Professional Development and the RIAI.
To expand the range of CPD provision to our members, and in response to demand from education providers, the RIAI has launched this initiative for partnership with people and organisations who offer educational programmes, publications and events which would be useful for Architects and Architectural Technicians/Technologists.
Why RIAI CPD LINKS?
As part of its CPD support system the RIAI itself provides members with a wide range of technical and professional information in the form of publications, lectures, courses and advice. However, many other organisations – professional, educational and commercial – deliver programmes and events which can be of educational value to RIAI members.
In 2000 the RIAI introduced the ‘RIAI CPD Network’. The objective of the Network was to improve the quality and content of information given to architects by manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to the construction industry.
The new RIAI CPD LINKS system is intended to increase substantially the range, depth and quality of CPD opportunities available to RIAI members. This will bring to three the strands of CPD offered through the RIAI:
- RIAI Programmes, provided by the RIAI itself
- RIAI CPD Links
- RIAI CPD Network
Who can join the RIAI CPD LINKS?
People and organisations eligible for inclusion in RIAI CPD LINKS List may include:
- Educational Institutions
- Professional Bodies
- Individuals, companies, organisations, groups or associations offering educational activities or programmes relevant to architects and architectural technicians/ technologists.
The primary purpose of the programme must be educational. The RIAI makes a clear distinction between educational and marketing activities. People or organizations providing educational activities primarily as a vehicle for the promotion of their own product or service are excluded from RIAI CPD LINKS. So the following groups should refer to the ‘RIAI CPD Network’ system:
- Manufacturers and suppliers of building materials, products, components or equipment
- Specialist service suppliers
- Associations of manufacturers or suppliers
- Marketing, management, IT, financial and other companies who are promoting a service to the architectural profession.
The decision on whether an activity is primarily educational or primarily promotional rests solely with the RIAI.
The RIAI’s membership includes fully qualified Architects and Architectural Technicians / Technologists, and also graduates who are in training for their professional examinations.
Members work in a wide range of roles in both public and private sectors, in practice, in industry and in education.
The range of roles and activities in which our members engage is constantly evolving. Their core skills are set out in the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architect and the RIAI Standard of Knowledge Skill and Competence for Practice as an Architectural Technologist, both of which are attached.
However, many have an interest in expanding their knowledge and skills beyond what is required for their core activities or chose to follow other related career tracks. So the range of topics which may have relevance is very wide indeed and the list of additional fields given here is non-exhaustive.
- Arbitration, Mediation and Negotiation
- Archaeology
- Art (all fields)
- Business (including marketing, finance, etc.)
- Communication and Languages
- Design (urban, landscape, furniture, product, graphic, etc.)
- Education, Training and Mentoring
- Economics and Politics
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- IT
- Law
- Management
- Multi-media (Web Design, CAD, Photography, etc)
- Planning, (Spatial, strategic, etc.)
- Property and Development Economics
- Psychology and Sociology
- Research
- Technology
Any provider uncertain as to whether a field or topic might be suitable is invited to contact the RIAI for guidance before submitting a formal application.
If RIAI CPD LINKS is suited to the training that your organization provides, and you would like to make an application or speak to somebody in the RIAI, then please refer to the attached brochure and application form or contact Sharyn Roffe at sroffe@riai.ie
Applications should be returned to: CPD Manager, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Sharyn Roffe MRAI or Teresa Harte
CPD Manager CPD Officer
sroffe@riai.ie tharte@riai.ie
T:353 1 676 1703
F:353 1 661 0948
W: www.riai.ie
Yours sincerely,
Ann McNicholl FRIAI
Education Director
‘Architecture Tours Ireland’ seeking qualified architects to act as Tour Guides
‘Architecture Tours Ireland’ is seeking applications from qualified architects to act as Tour Guides to lead groups on various architectural walking tours of Dublin City Centre
The RIAI & IAF have formed ‘Architecture Tours Ireland’ as a new public service for tourists, special interest groups, students and the general public to Dublin with the aim of showcasing Dublin’s architectural icons both contemporary and historic. The tours will look at a diverse range of themes, which tell the story of the architectural development of Dublin city. The walks will be architect-led and primarily focus on contemporary architecture.
Tours will be available to the general public from July 2010 and tour guide training will start at the beginning of June.
Responsibilities:
• Assemble and check in tour attendees prior to departing on tour
• Educate, explain and engage people on various points of architectural and local interest along the tour and answer questions as required
• Monitor visitors' activities in order to ensure compliance with establishment or tour regulations and safety practices
• May have to either plan and/or conduct itineraries and activities
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Architectural Qualification
• Excellent knowledge of Irish Architecture, architectural trends and development
• Good knowledge of local history, buildings, artefacts, and amenities
• Excellent communication skills
• Creative methods of communication
Remuneration:
Guides will be paid on a per tour basis. A Tour Guide Training programme will be provided by the RIAI & IAF for all Guides.
To Apply:
Download Application Form
Please complete the application form and send it along with a one page resume to: cbrosnan@riai.ie before 5pm, Monday, 31 May 2010.
Proposed Roscommon County Council Corporate Headquarters e-Tender
The RIAI sent a letter by registered post to Roscommon County Council advising and recommending changes to their e-tender “Suitability Assessment Questionnaire for Service Providers” for this project.
Download the letter to Roscommon County Council
In response to the letter sent by the RIAI and numerous telephone discussions with PM Group (the client representatives for the project), Clarification No. 3 from Roscommon (PM Group) is now published on the e-tender website.
Download Roscommon Clarification No. 3
The following concessions have been made for Architects' criteria for qualification:
• The minimum turnover has been reduced to Euro 200,000 from Euro 400,000
• The relevant experience has been reduced fro 15 years to 10 years
• The requirement for 3 office or public buildings of minimum 5,000 sq.m. gross internal floor area has been reduced to 3 office or public buildings, one of which to have a minimum 3,000 sq.m. gross internal floor area
• Staffing level for minimum pass are reduced to 2 Managerial and 4 Technical Personnel, from 3 Managerial and 10 Technical
The tender date has been extended to 12 noon on Tuesday, 8 June 2010.
RIAI Members and Practices who may have decided not to participate in the tender process due to the exclusionary conditions of the original tender, may wish to revisit the revised tender conditions and make a submission by the extended date.
Roscommon County Council Tender
Q5 Waltrovka, Prague Architectural Competition
Now Available at RIAI Bookshop: RIAI Practices Site Signs
RIAI Practices – Have you considered using a RIAI Site Sign to generate business and advertise your work?
Please note that we are now in a position to provide RIAI Site Signs at a cost of €84.70 including VAT @ 21.%.
Boards are 1200mm (W) X 300mm (H), printed on 5mm corri-board.
Payment can be made by either cash, cheque or credit card payable when we receive your final approval for the art work.
After your order is placed, the boards will be ready within 4-5 working days – there will be no charge for delivery within the Dublin area.
This service is available to RIAI Practice members – please view sample version above that Fitzpatrick & Mays Architects have kindly allowed us to use.
Contact bking@riai.ie or reception@riai.ie to place your order in writing.
RIAI Media and Press
Book launch at the RIAI
Yesterday evening Mary Laheen launched her new book entitled 'Drystone Walls of the Aran Islands - Exploring the Cultural Landscape'.
Book Launch: Drystone Walls of the Aran Islands - Exploring the Cultural Landscape
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Mary Laheen, with friend Maria Walsh
Yesterday evening Mary Laheen launched her new book entitled 'Drystone Walls of the Aran Islands - Exploring the Cultural Landscape'.
There was a strong attendance including the RIAI President, Paul Keogh, to mark the event.
Grellan Rourke, Senior Architect, National Monuments opened the evening at the RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
There was a strong attendance including the RIAI President, Paul Keogh, to mark the event. 
If you missed the opportunity to attend, this publication is now readily available from the RIAI Bookshop (Opening Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm)
Signed copies are now available at the RIAI Bookshop on 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Price €20.00
Postage + Packaging charges may apply.
If you wish to order your copy from the Bookshop,
please send a fax (01-6628593) or email : bking@riai.ie
SEAI Annual Sustainable Energy Awards 2010
The 2010 Sustainable Energy Awards are now open for entries.The 2010 Sustainable Energy Awards are now open for entries.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a mission to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. The Authority is financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.
Has your organisation achieved success in taking control of energy consumption?
Would you like to gain recognition for your efforts?
Entering is a simple 2-step process
1 Register your interest online and receive a link to download entry forms.
2. Download the relevant entry form, complete and return it to awards@seai.ie before 5pm on Friday, 28 May 2010.
For details of the 2010 categories.
For more information:
• Sustainable Energy Awards Overview
If you have any queries, email awards@seai.ie or call Orla on 01-8082087
Winners will be announced at a gala event in Dublin in November
Accessibility in the built environment (wayfinding and signage for people with disabilities)
Migration Information Evening - 17 May 2010
Date: Monday, May 17, 2010
Time: 5:30PM until 7:00PM
Location: RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Event Information:
The RIAI, in association with Alan Gallagher from Visafirst, will be hosting a Migration Information Evening on 17 May 2010
The Session is aimed to give RIAI members considering migrating abroad some general tips and in particular information on prospects in Australia.
The following facts are taken from www.joboutlook.gov.au on 7 April 2010.
• Job prospects for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians are good. Employment growth for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians to 2012-13 is expected to be strong. Employment in this very large occupation (51,500 in August 2008) rose slightly in the past five years, and rose moderately in the long-term (ten years).
• Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians have a high proportion of full-time jobs (92 per cent). For Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians working full-time, average weekly hours are 44.4 (compared to 41.8 for all occupations) and earnings are high - in the ninth decile. Unemployment for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians is below average.
• Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians are employed across several industries including: Construction; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Public Administration and Safety; and Manufacturing.
• The vacancy level for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians is average. Vacancies arising from job changing (Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians changing employers) are expected to provide 41.7 per cent of vacancies, compared with 48 per cent from job openings (Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians leaving the occupation) and 10.3 per cent from new jobs (employment growth for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians).
• The mix of industries employing Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians is very favourable for employment growth prospects.
If you would like to reserve a place for this event, please contact Sharyn Roffe sroffe@riai.ie or Teresa Harte tharte@riai.ie
Migration Information Evening - 17 May 2010
The RIAI, in association with Alan Gallagher from Visafirst, will be hosting a Migration Information Evening on 17 May 2010. The Session is aimed to give RIAI members considering migrating abroad some general tips and in particular information on prospects in Australia.
Date: Monday, May 17, 2010
Time: 5:30PM until 7:00PM
Location: RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
The RIAI, in association with Alan Gallagher from Visafirst, will be hosting a Migration Information Evening on 17 May 2010
The Session is aimed to give RIAI members considering migrating abroad some general tips and in particular information on prospects in Australia.
The following facts are taken from www.joboutlook.gov.au on 7 April 2010.
• Job prospects for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians are good. Employment growth for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians to 2012-13 is expected to be strong. Employment in this very large occupation (51,500 in August 2008) rose slightly in the past five years, and rose moderately in the long-term (ten years).
• Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians have a high proportion of full-time jobs (92 per cent). For Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians working full-time, average weekly hours are 44.4 (compared to 41.8 for all occupations) and earnings are high - in the ninth decile. Unemployment for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians is below average.
• Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians are employed across several industries including: Construction; Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Public Administration and Safety; and Manufacturing.
• The vacancy level for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians is average. Vacancies arising from job changing (Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians changing employers) are expected to provide 41.7 per cent of vacancies, compared with 48 per cent from job openings (Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians leaving the occupation) and 10.3 per cent from new jobs (employment growth for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians).
• The mix of industries employing Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians is very favourable for employment growth prospects.
If you would like to reserve a place for this event, please contact Sharyn Roffe sroffe@riai.ie or Teresa Harte tharte@riai.ie
The RIAI Irish Architectural Awards 2009 Exhibition - Now Showing at the Theatre Royal Waterford
The exhibition will contain highlights of the winners and highly commended entries from the 2009.The exhibition will contain highlights of the winners and highly commended entries from the 2009.
The Exhibition is a major component of the RIAI efforts to illustrate and inform members of the public of the impact of good architecture on their lives.
Over the past twenty one years there have been 350 such exhibitions all over Ireland; attracting members of the public and press both nationally and internationally.
There were over 227 entries this year spread over 17 different categories, including housing, conservation, sustainability, accessibility, best building in the landscape, retail, leisure, public choice and culture.
Running from April 2010 - May 2010 at Vestibule, Theatre Royal
A New Record! Simon Open Door
The RIAI and Simon Communities of Ireland would like to thank every single Architect and participant who has made this year’s RIAI Simon Open Door so successful. The RIAI Simon Open Door this weekend saw over 950 meetings between Architects and members of the public
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The RIAI and Simon Communities of Ireland would like to thank every single Architect and participant who has made this year’s RIAI Simon Open Door so successful.
The RIAI Simon Open Door this weekend saw over 950 meetings between Architects and members of the public; this is a new record and we have raised an incredible €50,000 this year for the Simon Communities of Ireland.
We would like to thank all those Members who gave their time for free this weekend and those who helped with the promotion.
Architect Peter O’Dwyer in consultation with the Finnegan Family from Clontarf
If you missed the deadline for bookings and would still like to avail of a consultation, some participating Architects are continuing to hold consultations over the next few days.
Please email Clare Finglas in the RIAI to find out more – cfinglas@riai.ie
Haiti Reconstruction
RKD has been participating in an initiative concerned with working on redevelopment in Haiti and has been liaising with a US-based non-profit organisation called Architecture for Humanity (AFH). They are seeking construction professionals including architects, structural and civil engineers, surveyors and quantity surveyors to carry out voluntary field work there.
RKD has been participating in an initiative concerned with working on redevelopment in Haiti and has been liaising with a US-based non-profit organisation called Architecture for Humanity (AFH) www.architectureforhumanity.org They are seeking construction professionals including architects, structural and civil engineers, surveyors and quantity surveyors to carry out voluntary field work there.
Architecture for Humanity need volunteer professionals at the rebuilding centre they are establishing in Port-au-Prince and are looking for smart professionals with great gobs of common sense and an ability to work in rough conditions.
Architecture for Humanity provides lodgings and daily subsistence. While they do not provide the cost of travel, RKD Architects would be prepared to pay for airline tickets for up to 5 volunteers who would be prepared to go for a period of 3-6 months.
From their website, AFH are providing support to assist community partners and NGO’s in the design and construction of housing and civic infrastructure destroyed by the earthquake:-
1. Housing for underserved/low-income populations
2. Transitional/Permanent Educational Facilities
3. Childcare Facilities
4. Health Clinic Facilities
5. Other public/civic institutions and infrastructure as required
Services offered:
• Training in safe and sustainable building practices (Building 101 classes and manual)
• Structural assessment training and tools
• GIS and mapping support for community-level planning and assessments
• Technical support and capacity building in green building practices
In addition, the Rebuilding Centre will offer on-going design services to community partners and NGO’s for specific building projects, including but not limited, to:
• Needs assessment
• Site feasibility analysis
• Community-based design services
• Consulting on sustainable and green building practices
• Contract documents/ bid/tender process
• Construction documents and technical specifications
• Construction administration
• Post-occupancy analysis
If you are interested in taking on the challenge of this work (for whatever period), please contact David Browne at RKD before Friday, 14 May 2010 – dbrowne@rkd.ie
Meeting the public and promoting Architecture
The RIAI took a stand at last weekend's Spring Ideal Home Show at the RDS in Dublin.
Nearly 300 free consultations were held over the three days providing members of the public an opportunity to meet with an Architect for a short 30-minute consultation.
The event was used as a precursor to the 'Simon Open Door' www.simonopendoor.ie event this coming weekend.
Forty architects gave their time for free and the feedback from the architects involved, the organisers and the public has been fantastic. The RIAI is looking forward to organising a similar stand at the Ideal Home Show in October.
This event is part of the RIAI’s outreach initiative to engage with the public, breakdown perceived barriers and explain the scope of work that an architect can do.
If you are aware of an upcoming public show in your area, please get in touch with us and we will contact the organisers to offer an advice clinic or if you require any information from the RIAI please contact us.
RIAI - info@riai.ie or cfinglas@riai.ie
UCD Professional Diploma (Architecture) 2010/11 - Apply by 13 May 2010
The UCD diploma programme (Part 3), which is recognised by the RIAI for admission to the Register for Architects is now open for applications for 2010/11.
The programme includes a lecture course (September- December), tutorials (February-March) academic support over two semesters and examinations leading to the UCD award of Professional Diploma (Architecture).
The programme is flexible to allow students to complete the course over a number of years. Students can present their Case Study and take their Oral Examination in either Semester 2 (April 2011) or in Semester 1 (December) or Semester 2 (April) of a later year.
Students can now enter the programme with min. 6 months professional practical experience as an architectural graduate. This must be in paid employment for min. 21 hours/week. It is not required to be in Ireland.
Tax relief is available on tuition fees for this post-graduate diploma programme.
Applications are now open and the closing date has been extended until 13 May 2010.
For more information: UCD Professional Practice (Arch)
www.ucd.ie/arcel/architecture/postgraduate/professional_diploma.htm
Enquiries: professionalpractice@ucd.ie
Insulated Walls: Emerging Problems
A problem is manifesting in some north and east facing walls that have insulation systems installed. The Sustainability Task Force of RIAI is anxious to hear from members who may have experienced the problems or who may have devised methods of dealing with the issues. Findings and appropriate advice will be issued to members.
Please contact jmiller@riai.ie or cfinglas@riai.ie who will distribute correspondence to William Scott, Chair: RIAI Sustainability Task Force with comments, queries and advice.
Internal Insulation of Fairfaced Brickwork Walls
Uninsulated brickwork walls will generally be relatively warm, having a balanced cycle of getting wet during the winter and drying out (and presumably in) during the summer in an annual cycle. They are warmed from heat loss through the fabric from inside to outside.
The retro fit of internal wall insulation may upset this cycle. The brickwork of the wall will be very significantly colder, slowing down the drying out process. Drying of the fabric to inside may no longer be available. There is a risk, probably at its worst in North facing orientation or where a wall is exposed to driving rain, that the wall will get wetter and wetter never drying out. This problem could also lead to frost damage to brickwork. It appears that the problem can only be reduced by improved rain protection such as hydrophobic facade treatments.
It is emphasized that this is a separate issue to the problem of interstitial condensation that can arise in incorrectly detailed internal wall insulation arrangements. However, the two issues may compound the problem of moisture build up in wall fabric.
A brief paper is available describing preliminary research into this problem. (To follow)
External Wall Insulation
There are some reports of build up of visible green algae or mould material accumulating on the outside render surface of external wall insulation systems. The problem reported to date is worst in North and East facing orientations and where there is poor solar radiation available. The problem appears to arise from the very cold temperatures that will prevail through the winter on these thin surfaces. Moisture build up is arising from dew or rain. This moisture appears to support organic matter, manifesting as ugly green tinged growth.
Members should consider the risk factors associated with this issue and should satisfy themselves that their specification deals adequately with the potential risk. Enquiries should be made of the specialist suppliers to ensure the adequacy of the proposed systems. Members may also wish to avoid very light coloured coatings that may highlight the problem.
Revised Technical Guidance Document F: Ventilation
A revised and updated TGD F2009 – Ventilation, has been issued.
In general, this document applies to works, or buildings in which a material change of use takes place, where the works or the change of use commence or takes place on or after 1 October 2010. Technical Guidance Document F - Ventilation dated 2002, also ceases to have effect from that date. However, the latter document may continue to be used in the case of buildings;
- where the works or the change of use commences or takes place on or before 30 September 2010, or
- where planning approval or permission has been applied for on or before 30 September 2010, and substantial work has been completed by 30 September 2011, or
- where a notice pursuant to Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, has been published on or before 30 September 2010, and substantial work has been completed by 30 September 2011.
The document is significantly more demanding than earlier guidance, setting out standards for general, extract and purge ventilation arrangements. The guidance covers natural and mechanical ventilation (with and without heat recovery) systems for dwellings and other buildings as well as car parks.
Download the revised and updated TGD F2009 - Ventilation
Members with comments should email Joe Miller jmiller@riai.ie or Clare Finglas cfinglas@riai.ie and your correspondence will be sent to William Scott, Chair: RIAI Sustainability Task Force.
The Department of Education and Science Guidance Notes - March 2010
Department of Education and Science Guidance on completing the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire for Service Providers - March 2010
Recently the DES placed a call for Architects interested in applying for 11 primary schools. Guidance (noted above) was published and the RIAI has written to the Department with proposals to improve the opportunities for RIAI practices to be successful in their application.
The guidance document offers opportunities for RIAI Practices, who have no experience in school work and who previously might have been excluded through lack of school design experience, to apply.
RIAI Letter to DES on Guidance
The 2010 Restructuring of the RIAI Practice Committee
The Chairman of the RIAI Practice Committee, Eoin O’Morain, proposed a new structure from 2010 onwards to improve its workings and efficiency. The Committee was composed of 18 Members and it was felt that such numbers made it difficult for the Committee to be effective.
The new Committee now consists of 8 specialist sub-committees and is structured as follows:
Committee A will deal with planning and development reviews and public sector architects.
Committee B will deal with Building Regulations; Fire Safety; Health and Safety and Disability Access Certificates.
Committee C will consider RIAI forms of building contracts; Government forms; certification; contract administration and dispute resolution.
Committee D will review the Good Practice Guide; RIAI practice notes and information papers; CPD Engage.
Committee E will propose the future role of the P ractice Committee; communications with RIAI members and reducing bureaucracy in dealing with the public service.
Committee F will consider cost information systems; project costing templates and risk analysis.
Committee G will review all RIAI documentation; client/architect agreements, cost guidelines; client briefing; warranties; Architects Opinions on Compliance and restoration work.
Committee H will investigate procurement; project management and building technology.
The chairs of the sub-committees A to H will form the main committee together with the Chairman and Practice Director.
Procurement and Discussions with the Department of Finance
The RIAI plays a major part in the Construction Industry Council continues to have discussions with the Department of Finance Government Construction Contracts Committee.
The latest discussions relate to the procurement of building consultants services and the quality/price ratio used during the assessment process. 700 marks are allocated for quality and 300 marks are allocated for tender bid.
The Department of Finance have now indicated that they are reassessing these ratios because they believe that those who score the highest marks on quality will always be successful irrespective of their tender bid.
The difficulty arises because of the quality marking system, as presently used, which allocates no marks for the least successful quality bid with the most successful bid obtaining 700 marks and the other bids spread within that spectrum.
What is now being considered is a minimum marking system with the least successful bid receiving 400 or 600 marks.
Legal Opinion re Quality Assessment
The decision by the GCCC is awaited.
Guidance Note – Prequalification of Consultants (Long List) using Minimum Standards for Suitability Criteria
The RIAI Practice Committee is studying a draft Department of Finance document called "Guidance Note – Prequalification of Consultants (Long List) using Minimum Standards for Suitability Criteria". This document was issued at the last CIC/GCCC meeting held on 26 March 2010. While we await the deliberations of the RIAI Practice Committee, the initial impression of the document is that realistic levels of annual turnover, Professional Indemnity Insurance, are set out, but the design quality issue is not addressed.
Procurement and the Selection of Candidates through Experience Going Back 3 Years
The Construction Industry Council, of which the RIAI plays a major part, commissioned Arthur Cox and Partners, Solicitors to give a legal opinion on a request from the GCCC, regarding the evidence that contracting authorities can request of candidates, when it comes to assessing their “technical or professional ability” and in particular, how far back in time such requests can go, when it comes to an assessment on candidates’ experience.
We quote from the last paragraph of Arthur Cox’s letter:
“We would suggest that this issue should be decided with reference to the type of contract and type of services under review. In this regard, more complex and skilled specialists may be considered relevant for a longer period of time than more standard skills. However experience going back a period of five years should be relevant in most cases.”
The legal opinion has been sent to the Department of Finance.
Legal Opinion re Procurement and 3 Years Experience
Dispute Resolution under the RIAI Articles of Agreement
Clause 38 of the RIAI Articles of Agreement provides for a Dispute Resolution process which is a stepped approach, with Conciliation first, followed, if Conciliation is unsuccessful, by Arbitration.
These Arbitrations are currently regulated by the Arbitration Acts 1954-1998. Note that the Arbitration Act 2010 takes effect on 8 June 2010 for cases commenced on that day and thereafter. The Arbitration Act 1996 applies in Northern Ireland.
Some General Principles:
Clause 38 provides for Dispute Resolution and has a stepped procedure where the parties contract to attempt a resolution of disputes by way of Conciliation firstly - in advance of moving forward to Arbitration if not resolved.
The first three words of Clause 38(b) are "Provided always that…" As far as we are aware (subject to the notes below), there is no Case Law on the ability of a party to move directly to Arbitration without having attempted Conciliation. The usual practice at the RIAI is that a party seeking Nomination of an Arbitrator has to provide some evidence to satisfy the query has Conciliation been tried? Parties are always encouraged to attempt Mediation / Conciliation. The usual form is that some letter - typically from the Conciliator indicating that the Conciliation has been attempted - would be produced and this would allow the President comfort in nominating in the knowledge that the parties have abided by Condition 38 (a) of their contract.
Let us consider a case where; an Employer initiates Arbitration but has not followed up after issuing an Employer’s Notice of Dispute and Arbitration served in accordance with Condition 38 (b) – without reference to Conciliation; the Contractor also wishes to go to Arbitration. On the face of it, therefore, both parties have taken a step in the direction of Arbitration which would appear to indicate consensus that this is the way they want to resolve their dispute.
The fact that the Employer may have stalled by stepping back from that may not be relevant. A step has been taken.
Accordingly, the Contractor is quite entitled to say that Conciliation had been abandoned and that both parties are in agreement to that extent. If the parties do not agree upon an Arbitrator, either party can make a reference to the RIAI to ask the President to nominate. Evidence that the Employer took seeking Arbitration coupled with an equal step by the Contractor to now seek a Nomination should satisfy the test for the President. a step
There is a school of thought that would say that the first three words of 38 (b) "Provided always that..." means precisely what it is said. The key point is that parties are always encouraged not to escalate the scale of the Dispute Resolution Process unnecessarily - but they should have recourse to Arbitration on a provided always that, basis.
• Yes, the Contractor is entitled to seek nomination of an Arbitrator from the RIAI in the event that concurrence on a single name does not arise within a reasonable short period. Normal procedures spelled out in the Contract should be followed to the letter.
• Generally speaking, from the Architect’s perspective, whether Arbitration occurs or does not occur should not really be relevant to contract administration in hand. If Certificates are due for issue, they should issue, if Final Account ascertainments have been made in detail or are ready to be made, they should be circulated. If decisions are due to be made on extension of time applications, they should be decided upon. The key point is that an Architect should not go into stasis or avoid any decision or recommendation just because the Employer or Contractor has served a notice under C. 38.
• Contractors sometimes ask Architects for advice if Notices issue from Employers. It is a matter for the Contractor to obtain his/her/its own legal advice. The Architect should not be drawn into the role of providing an advisory service to the Contractor.
• In relation to being available for the process and to any legal Advisor that might be appointed by the Employer - it would, of course, be a new commission. The Architect would be wise to make some indication of reasonable terms for the provision of those additional services to the Employer, particularly in the event that the Employer intended to claim for fees incurred including the costs of the arbitration.
From Time to Time You May Need a Commissioner for Oaths
Those procuring the services of Architects, more and more, require verification of either documents or statements by an authorised body. In the case of the RIAI, they confirm current Membership of both RIAI Members and Practices.
The Department of Education and Science in its recent 'Guidance on Completing the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire for Service Providers' (March 2010 edition) under 3.8 Section 3 (c) states: If the applicant firm is Irish or from the UK make sure that the form is witnessed by a Commissioner of Oaths and dated within the last 12 months (in Northern Ireland all Solicitors are Commissioners for Oaths).
What is the situation in the Republic of Ireland?
An extract from the Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1994 states:
'…every solicitor who holds a practicing certificate which is still in force shall, subject to any condition to which that practicing certificate is subject under the Solicitors Act 1954 to 1994, have all the powers conferred by an enactment or statutory instrument on a commissioner for oaths and any reference to such a commissioner in any such enactment or statutory instrument,…'
Read the full text of the relevant section of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994