As an architect based in Newry, I have seen firsthand the consequences of poor design decisions, cost-cutting, and unregulated practices in the construction industry. Protecting the function of architects is not about professional prestige—it is about public safety. Without strict oversight and regulation, we risk more tragedies like Grenfell.
Yet, despite such tragedies, unqualified individuals are still legally allowed to design buildings in the UK. This must change. The role of an architect is not just to create aesthetically pleasing structures but to ensure safety, compliance, and sustainability. If the function of architects continues to be eroded, projects will remain underfunded, safety will be compromised, and lives will be at risk.
Low fees and profit-driven decisions push design professionals into impossible situations. When architects are forced to underbid for work, essential safety checks and thorough design reviews are sidelined. Contractors who win projects based on cost alone often downgrade materials, neglect proper fire safety measures, and disregard key design elements—all of which can have fatal consequences.
Architects and Chartered Architectural Technologists are the golden thread that ensures buildings are safe, functional, and durable. Their expertise in fire safety, material specification, and risk assessment is essential for public protection. Yet, unqualified designers continue to make critical decisions with little oversight.
If we do not act now to legally protect the function of architects, we will see more tragedies unfold. The UK government must step up and implement legal safeguards to ensure that only properly trained and regulated professionals design the buildings in which we live, work, and learn. We cannot afford another Grenfell. Public safety must come before cost-cutting, and professional accountability must be restored at the heart of the built environment.
Source: BDOnline