Sanctions update: EU and UK price caps to hit insurers and other sectors

On 5 February, the EU and UK brought into force price caps agreed by the G7 on refined petroleum products to limit Russia’s oil revenue. The price cap measures complement existing prohibitions on Russian originating products into the UK and EU markets. They also mirror a similar cap for crude oil products in effect since 5 December. The caps affect the transportation of these products from the EU or UK to third countries. They target insurance, shipping, and other companies that finance, trade, broker, or carry Russian crude and oil products en route to third countries, where purchases have exceeded the price limit. The UK has laid down detailed guidance and provided an attestation process requiring different actors in the oil supply chain to effect and record due diligence on trading partners.

This article by Paul Henty provides further information on the measures and the steps affected businesses need to take.

Please click HERE to read the full article.

ROCA GALLERY OPENING / Vanishing Points

The AIA UK sponsor Roca has an ongoing program of exhibitions at their Gallery, and they regularly invite AIA UK members to their opening, private viewings.  Last year, AIA UK members attended the opening viewing party for Everything Flows – Zaha Hadid Design Exhibition, written up in our Newsletter HERE. In previous years, events have included topics such as Timber Rising: Vertical Visions for the Cities of Tomorrow or Data Centre Aesthetics – How Do you Make Them Look Good, or Architectures of Story Telling.  In other words, they generally cater to topics of interest to Architects. 

The 9th of February 2023 was opening night for Roca’s Vanishing Points exhibition – an event that hits all the right, architectural buttons. The exhibition is a comprehensive collection of modern, often computer aided drawings, juxtaposed with drawings from architectural practitioners of the past.  There were drawings from the 17th and 18th centuries, drawings from well-known architects from more recent history alongside contemporary drawings of the current generation.  

Needless to say, the exhibition is destined for success.  It will be open to all from the 10th of February to the 29th of July and it is well worth a visit to Imperial Wharf.  AIA friends at Roca will be happy to see you and show you around their amazing, Zaha Hadid designed showroom and gallery.  

Frequent Roca attendees - Martin Varela Vivona (Board Correspondent) , Stephen Reinke (1st President AIA UK Chapter) and Pierre Baillargeon – are joined by Taylor Rogers (current Vice President AIA UK Chapter) in an animated conversation.  In the background, Michael Lischer (3rd President AIA UK Chapter), Dan Smith and Lorraine King (9th President AIA UK Chapter) watched the debate.  It was a distinguished showing from the Chapter among a crowd of literally hundreds. 

The AIA UK Chapter had its own special interest in the exhibition.  Newly elected Board Director, David Martin, was there with his son Alexander to honour his wife’s inclusion in the contemporary groupings.  

David is an award winning healthcare, research and educational architect with a distinguished career.  Although he met his wife Bea while both worked in an architectural office, her talent has blossomed along entirely different lines as evidenced below. 

Attendees at Roca Gallery events do not always get a chance to actively participate in the exhibition, but for Vanishing Points a blank sheet of paper with instructions to ‘Draw Here’, was included, and attendees cooperated as requested. 

Not all the drawers were architects of note – or even trained artists.  Alexandria on the right below simply likes to draw.  To encourage her, we applaud her effort and publish it for future reference. It appears she has future talent of an architectural bent?

The slide show includes exhibited drawings randomly selected from the offerings.  Unfortunately, the event was crowded so not all exhibits were accessible, including some of the oldest, rarest drawings.  To get a better perspective – pun intended – a private trip to Imperial Wharf is in order.

Written by: Lorraine King AIA

25 JAN 22 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING / Starting with People

The AIA UK’s Annual General Meetings is not only a long held tradition, but also a mandated requirement from our Bylaws.  Refusing to be overwhelmed by governance issues, the Chapter also celebrates its obligations by surrounding the BUSINESS MEETING with a welcoming PARTY and an enjoyable, credit earning TALK. 

PARTY AND TALK

Herman Miller has sponsored our AGMs from our beginnings in the early 1990s.  Now - after its merger with Knoll – the parent company MillerKnoll continues its association with the AIA as it represents an impressive array of new products. It is a company that takes the workplace seriously and willingly shares its expertise and extensive research through the ‘Designing a Better Tomorrow’ special talk.

MARK CATCHLOVE – leader of Herman Miller’s Insight Group – started his talk with a short survey of the audience, asking each of us in turn what we would rather be doing with our time.  While no one expected any members to reply, ‘sitting at my desk working’, the responses were surprising.  

Only two members admitted enjoying above all else ‘D&A/A&D’ – that is, design and architecture - but who would have predicted an intense interest in poetry, knitting or basketball?  Or fantasy?  

Catchlove’s simple stratagem quickly proved his point; we may all identify with being architects, but – despite this common denominator – individuals are much more than their profession or their job title.  And that leads directly to the talk’s topic of note: How can workplace design better reflect the requirements of individuals and entice workers back to the office? 

Catchlove stressed the importance of ‘in person contact’.  Working from home can be great for many, but an absolute nightmare for others.  Although strong work ties can be maintained without contact by those already possessing strong ties, weak ties will weaken.  70% of people with low social connection are more likely to feel ‘burnt out’, whereas energy could be increased from contact with others. 

As architects, we all are aware of the importance of place and can easily understand that 80% of people surveyed by the Insight Group want ‘flexibility in WHERE they work’.  It is harder for some designers and managers to appreciate that 94% of people also want ‘flexibility of WHEN they work’. 

Catchlove’s advises a 4 part approach to designing flexible places that stresses the importance of starting with people not with spaces:

• Places that matter are based on an understanding of how people perceive the world;

• Places that matter strengthen communities by facilitating activities that bring people together; 

• Places that matter feel inclusive and personal based on the unique culture of the people who use them;

• Places that matter get better over time; they are adapted and changed based on people feedback. 

If you are interested in workspace design, more Herman Miller Insight Group research and presentations can be found HERE.

BUSINESS MEETING

Following Catchlove’s talk, the 2022 President, Anna Foden Assoc AIA, gave an overview presentation of the past year and the 2023 President, Gregory Fonseca AIA, gave a preview of his plans for 2023.  The Year End Presentations can be viewed in full HERE.

The formal part of the AGM dealt with the election of the 2023 Board of Directors and Officers and a review of the 2023 Accounts.  AIA Chapter Members will receive full Minutes of the AGM for review and approval in a separate Announcement.  

Written by: Lorraine King AIA

Photo Credits: C Fiallos, E Fitzpatrick, K Storr, L King

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS ARE STUDY SESSION

The AIA UK Emerging Professionals held a drop-in study session for ARE candidates in London at the Howe Showroom near Old Street on 10 Nov 2022. It was a casual event attended by a new generation of UK-based NCARB candidates.

The session focused on exchanging ARE knowledge and going through some sample questions prepared based on the ARE 5.0 Reference Matrix. The Reference Matrix is a list of publications which are used to directly inform exam questions. According to incumbent EP Committee Chair Paolo Mendoza, one of the objectives for AIA UK EP for 2023 is to provide regular ARE Study Sessions based on individual exam Divisions. Another objective is to lean in on the expansion of online ARE Study Resources to make them more accessible. This project will be continued by 2022 EP Committee Chair Adelina Koleva.

If you are currently preparing for the ARE Exams while in the UK, please consider attending AIA UK EP events for more insights and information as well as to provide us with feedback. We are currently developing our resources and are always looking for volunteers to help us improve. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with emergingprofessionals@aiauk.org.

Written by Adelina Koleva, AIA 

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS END-OF-YEAR SOCIAL

Members and prospective members of the AIA UK Emerging Professionals Committee meet at The Crown Victoria on 1 Dec 2022 to discuss the future of EP. Photo by Adelina Koleva, AIA.

On Thursday 1 Dec 2022, AIA UK Emerging Professionals met for an informal evening of discussions at The Crown Victoria to celebrate the end of a successful year. The event was notably attended by EP Committee Member Beyza Kayali and incumbent EP Committee Chair Paolo Mendoza.

We hope that 2023 will bring additional development on the Emerging Professionals front of the AIA UK.  Changes we hope to initiate next year include the expansion of online ARE Study Resources and additional content to be added to the Emerging Professionals web page. We are seeing an increased interest from the side of young US expatriates looking to benefit from two new UK measures: the US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement and the High Potential Individual Visa. We are also working to gain traction with young UK professionals, particularly those from BAME communities or underrepresented backgrounds, and start looking to build foundational relationships locally. 

All these efforts will take time and personal investment. AIA UK EP needs volunteers to make this vision a reality. As always – for those looking to connect or interested in getting involved - please do not hesitate to get in touch with emergingprofessionals@aiauk.org.

Written by Adelina Koleva, AIA 

LICENSURE MATTERS 3 / Reflecting On The US-UK Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)

Ten years ago, a collaboration between NCARB and ARB on architectural reciprocity would not have seemed possible. Not only did the UK’s membership in the EU precluded any professional agreements with the US – qualifications, and in some cases education, were not directly recognized by either country. At the time, the UK was nowhere near Brexit, and many people had to go through a process of repeating courses, paying exuberant fees, and submitting loads of paperwork while navigating an obscure and complicated system. The barriers to enter the profession in the UK from the US, and vice versa, seemed insurmountable.

How times have changed since then: it only took a national referendum, several prime ministers, and a global pandemic to reach a moment of clarity. When news broke of the new Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in June 2022, it felt like a moment of absolution to many US-UK architects – though bittersweet for those that had to go through the hurdles. The significance of this agreement to US architects based in the UK, and indeed, the AIA United Kingdom as a chapter, cannot be overstated. While Mutual Recognition may not be as meaningful to those already established in practice, the forecast is heightened activity for the AIA UK Emerging Professionals committee and – we hope – a renewed appreciation for the AIA UK chapter from both the AIA and RIBA motherships.

A Comparison of US & UK Paths to Qualification

Licensure in the US is administered by NCARB (National Council of Registration Boards) and its national counterpart in the UK is the ARB (Architects Registration Board). Unlike the ARB, NCARB does not award licenses or keep a register of qualified architects; this is in fact handled by individual states or territories. Instead, NCARB handles the certification process which allows candidates to submit applications for license within individual jurisdiction. The NCARB Certificate can therefore be considered as a “passport” to practice in individual states. Some states only require the NCARB Certificate to register; others have additional requirements, which can be thought of as a “visa.” The California Supplemental Examination (CSE) is one such example.

To achieve an NCARB Certificate, candidates on the standard path must first complete an NAAB-accredited B.Arch. or M.Arch. degree program. The B.Arch. program lasts 5 years; M.Arch. programs can vary in length depending on previous education but can be up to 3 years and require an undergraduate degree. In addition to education, candidates are required to complete examination and experience criteria. These are the six Divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) (a standardized test) and 3,740 hours of practice hours across six experience areas under the supervision of a professional mentor. This practice component is known as the Architect Experience Program (AXP).

In the UK, the ARB takes on the same role as NCARB and additionally functions as a state or territory. Unlike NCARB, the ARB does award licenses and keeps a register of qualified architects. It also handles the education and experience components through the Criteria for the Prescription of Qualifications Parts I, II, & III. Part I relates to the first three years of university education, followed by two years of education for Part II (a diploma or a Master’s degree). Parts I and II are often bundled into the same degree program. In the UK, there is a practice of assigning individuals who have not completed Part III the title of a “Part I -” or “Part II Architectural Assistant,” regardless of educational background or professional credentials.

Once the Part I/II educational criteria are complete, the final Part III fulfils the examination and experience requirement. The experience component consists of 24 months in architecture practice while completing a Part III accredited course. Unlike the ARE sit-down test, the ARB Part III examination component is an assessment process involving a professional review, preparation of case studies, a written examination, and an interview. The Part III examination is perhaps more comparable to NCARB’s AXP program than the ARE, whereby the qualified architect supervisor fills a similar role to the Part III examiner. At present, there is no standardized test requirement for architects to enter the ARB register.

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How would you describe the process of qualification in the UK / US?

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How do you think the MRA will be useful for UK / US students and architects?

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UK Registration as a non-UK Architect

The current method for registering as a UK architect without the ARB-accredited Parts I/II is through an “Alternative Route to Registration,” specifically the ARB Prescribed Examination. This is the process AIA members have used in the past to qualify in the UK in absence of an MRA agreement, but it can be quite demanding. Like the standard Part III examination, it requires interviews and portfolio work to demonstrate equivalency. The problem is that these applications are expensive and can be rejected. It is therefore vital that candidates take extra care and seek sound advice in preparation. Experience in the UK is likely advantageous in understanding how to demonstrate the necessary competency. If the Prescribed Examination is successful, the candidate would then be required to complete the Part III to join the UK register.

UK Registration as a US Architect (MRA)

If the ARB accepts the non-UK education or experience – waiving any one of the Parts I or II requirements – this likely will not allow the individual to take advantage of MRA agreements. This would be because the candidate obtained a UK license via an "alternative route" (non-UK education); subsequently, if that same candidate wished to register in the US, likely they cannot use the UK qualification to obtain an NCARB Certificate.

Currently, only the “standard route” is allowed on either side of the US/UK MRA. This measure excludes non-UK and non-US architects from taking advantage of reciprocity via a US or UK license. For this reason, it is also not permitted to qualify in the UK via another MRA; for example, a Mexican architect qualified in the US via the US/Mexico MRA cannot use the US certification to qualify in the UK through the US/UK MRA. Such arrangements are not possible at this time. Nonetheless, the ARB has expressed a wish to investigate such options in the future.

The implementation of the new US-UK MRA will transform the process for US architects to register in the UK, and vice versa. For US architects, the NCARB Certificate – and a supplementary test – would be the only requirement. (This measure is intended to entirely replace the prior Prescribed Examination requirement for NCARB Certificate holders.) This remains to be confirmed as more information becomes available. At the time of writing, the ARB is still waiting on the UK Parliament to complete its legislative process to complete the Agreement. The estimated date is early 2023.

A diagram of the Alternative Routes to Registration in the UK with architectural education that is not recognised.  Foreign architectural qualifications, other than Irish, are not currently recognised. However the ARB is currently working on MRA agreements with other countries that will circumvent this restriction, so opportunities will likely improve in the future following Brexit. For more information, please consult the ARB website. Image source: ARB Website, click HERE to view

US Registration as a non-US Architect

Unlike the UK, the US consists of multiple licensing boards that are managed by individual states. NCARB operates on a national level to standardise and manage most requirements set forth by the individual boards, but not all of them. Therefore, registering as an architect in any US jurisdiction will typically be facilitated by an NCARB Certificate obtained through the “Foreign Architect Path.”

Non-US qualified architects have the option to pursue an NCARB Certificate by verifying the qualification and completing the two education and experience components: the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Alternatively, non-US candidates without a NAAB-accredited education have the option to request an educational assessment through a program called Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA). The EESA evaluation is administered by the NAAB organisation and compares academic transcript(s) to the NCARB Education Standard. The process will determine the education meets the standards for (a) initial licensure in a jurisdiction, (b) NCARB Certification, or (c) reciprocal licensure between jurisdictions. The evaluation will also identify whether any additional education is required.

Once the non-US candidate obtains an NCARB Certificate, this may only be used to apply for an initial license in a U.S. jurisdiction that accepts an NCARB Certificate issued through the Foreign Architect Path. The NCARB Certificate may allow additional registrations in US jurisdictions more easily; however, it is necessary to check the requirements of the individual jurisdictions to ascertain whether the specific case allows for this.

A diagram of the Foreign Architect Path to licensure in the US with either an architectural license or architectural education that is not recognised by the respective US organisations responsible for certifying. Though full of hurdles, the Foreign Architect Path is not impossible and will likely improve in the future. For more information, please consult the NCARB website. Source: NCARB Website, click HERE to view

US Registration as a UK Architect (MRA)

The implementation of the new US-UK MRA will transform the process for US architects to register in the UK, and vice versa. For UK architects, it is likely that the ARB qualification will earn an NCARB Certificate directly with no other requirements; however, this remains to be confirmed as more information becomes available. It is important to note that like the “Foreign Architect Path”, an NCARB Certificate obtained through the US-UK MRA may not be accepted in all US jurisdictions. It will therefore again be necessary to check the specific requirements of each jurisdiction before deciding where to apply for an initial US license.

This article is a continuation of the 2022 LICENSURE MATTERS series. This is an ongoing story; please refer to NCARB and ARB for the latest information.

Written by Adelina Koleva, AIA