UIA World Congress of Architects
The RIAI is a member of the International Union of Architects (UIA), and we are delighted to share these online resources for the UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona.
Responding to the congress theme ‘Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition’, we are exploring Irish architecture under three themes – Ireland: an architecture of place; Becoming: circular design; and Becoming: community.
“Becoming explores spatial practices that foster the appropriation and transformation of our inhabited environments (…). Rejecting the notion of tabula rasa, it is rooted in a deep awareness of pre-existing physical and cultural landscapes, curating transitions through material, political, ecological, and poetic interrelations.”
- UIA Congress Curatorial Team
Ireland – an architecture of place
Irish architecture is at a pivotal time, marked by the challenges of affordable housing, liveable cities and climate change.
Irish architects deliver social, economic and cultural infrastructure and respond intuitively to these challenges with context-driven design solutions that recognise the importance of creating a sense of place.
Place is further defined by our geography as an island nation, exposed to outside influence, while bringing our skillset to other places – from Arkansas to Egypt, and from Tokyo to Toronto.
Irish architects are supported in their work by our National Policy on Architecture – Places for People, which has three actions: Value and Empower; Set a Quality Agenda; and Generate Knowledge.
In support of Places for People, the RIAI has developed a number of key policies and books. Several are listed below, and for more, visit RIAI Research and Policy.
RIAI Policy on Planning and Development 2025
Setting out many of the key actions needed to take to radically reform our current planning, design and delivery systems and unlock the blockages and inefficiencies in the current system.
_200_200.jpg)
Irish Cities in Crisis
The most comprehensive book on Irish cities to date, it calls for a radical change in how we finance, govern, and plan Irish cities. It argues that cities must be recognised as engines of our social, economic and cultural lives and must be treated with imagination and care.
Beyond the Lowest Bid: Reforming Public Procurement for Fairness and Faster Delivery
This new procurement policy sets out clear and pragmatic policy recommendations to streamline and optimise the procurement process.
Becoming – circular design
Irish architects develop climate change solutions that are rooted in an understanding of our landscape, materiality, craft and technology. Existing buildings are sensitively adapted to new use.
RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge
The RIAI has developed the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge to support architects and other built environment professions to evaluate the way they currently design and to make the necessary changes needed to meet the reductions and targets outlined in this document.
RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - An Architect’s Guide
The RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge - An Architect’s Guide supports the Architect's understanding of the RIAI 2030 Climate Challenge with greater detail.
Design for Performance
Design for Performance supports a sector-wide shift from a focus on compliance and efficiency to a mindset of circularity; tackling building performance comprehensively and promoting the regenerative use of natural resources, resulting in healthier, more resilient indoor environments. This suite of guidance and tools provides the practical methodology to embed the targets from the earliest design stages through to post-occupancy measurement and feedback.
One Stop Shop Pathways - Guidance Document
This One Stop Shop Pathways - Guidance Document provides a structured framework for architects, engineers, building surveyors, clients, and registered One Stop Shops (OSSs) to collaborate efficiently, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standards of design, quality and compliance.
RIAI Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) Guidance
Maximising the benefits of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) during the lifecycle of a project requires DfMA to form a core part of the design process. The DfMA suite of guidance provides direction to the architectural profession and other design practitioners in their individual journeys to embed the principles of three strands: DfMA, sustainability and digital delivery in MMC projects undertaken, for MMC adoption.
Becoming – community
The community – in our villages, towns and urban neighbourhoods – is at the heart of Irish architecture. Irish architects work to create inclusive and sustainable communities.
RIAI / AOTI Position Paper - Changing the Mindset from ‘Granny Flat’ to Flexible Home Adaptations
Resulting from collaboration between the RIAI and the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI), this Position Paper considers the issues facing people with specific housing needs and how to make best use of existing buildings and optimise the existing infrastructure.
RIAI Statement of Policy on Accessibility, Inclusion and Universal Design
The RIAI Statement of Policy on Accessibility, Inclusion and Universal Design positions accessibility, inclusion and universal design at the centre of the architectural profession.
RIAI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
As the professional and regulatory body for Architects in Ireland, the RIAI recognises that equity, diversity and inclusion are important values that underpin a healthy and successful profession and foster inclusive values for society.
Low Rise Medium Density Housing Model
This RIAI submission to the Irish Government explains how a Low-Rise Medium-Density Housing model would allow for the creation of places that provide high-quality homes, building on existing infrastructure by incorporating new housing types.
RIAI Town and Village Toolkit
This toolkit provides practical advice, references and successful case studies of places that have with architectural and urban design expertise positively overcome challenges.
Old House New Home
Guidance and advice on repairing and reusing historic buildings, including how to understand your home, conserve period features and reimagine it for contemporary living, while maintaining the character and craftsmanship that come with historic properties.
Becoming – Access to the Profession in Ireland
Are you interested in joining the architectural profession in Ireland? Here are some useful links to RIAI resources.
Register as an Architect in Ireland
Registration as an Architect is open to you if you can demonstrate that you meet all the requirements outlined.
You can find everything you need to know about registering as an Architect in Ireland and the route to registration that best fits your circumstances here.
RIAI Competency Framework Architecture
The RIAI Competency Framework Architecture sets out the standards of knowledge, skill and professional competence required at three key stages of an architect’s professional formation: education, training, and registration. It supports the design, development, and professional accreditation of architectural qualifications and examinations in Ireland. It underpins the RIAI’s accreditation processes and is integrated across all routes to the Register of Architects.
CPD Policy
Information on the mandatory RIAI CPD Policy for Registered Architects
How to Become an Architect
Provides information on the typical route to the register for Architects via prescribed full-time education and postgraduate professional training
Information for Students and Graduates
Provides information for Architecture students and Graduates considering continuing their education or training in Ireland.
Accredited Programmes
A list of RIAI accredited qualifications in Architecture and Architectural Technology
Information for Schools of Architecture and Architectural Technology
Information for schools of Architecture and Architectural Technology on the RIAI’s accreditation of qualifications