Square that circle – is it possible to work on any of the Neom projects and still be a member of RIBA?

‘We serve our members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Being inclusive, ethical, environmentally aware and collaborative underpins all that we do.’ So says the RIBA’s current statement on Strategy & Purpose. In addition, RIBA’s Code of Professional Conduct goes further by stating that ‘Honesty, integrity and competence, as well as concern for others and for the environment, are the foundations of the RIBA's three principles of professional conduct.

All great ambitions, but how do these commitments sit with its members who, to cut to the chase, remain underemployed and desperately looking for work? There simply isn’t enough of it in the UK at the moment to sustain the 50,000 or so qualified architects, let along the tens of thousands of Part I and Part II students coming along. We are collectively underemployed and have been for a number of years. However, worldwide there are places requiring the skills and expertise that UK (and other) architects possess. So, with the cost of living crisis not going away any time soon, isn’t it right for the RIBA to be signing Memorandum’s of Understanding (MoU) with nations building more than we are? A year ago, RIBA signed just such an agreement with the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission (ADC). The MoU ‘aims to advance architecture in Saudi Arabia and establish RIBA as a key partner in the design and construction sector’ there.

Now try to marry the ambitions of RIBA’s Professional Code of Conduct to the aspirations of its MoU with Saudi Arabia – where the work is.