"Sustainable construction" CPD from the RIBA
Keywords: Sustainable development, Construction industry, Architects
Probably the single biggest challenge currently facing the construction industry is the issue of "sustainability". In May 2000, following consultation with the industry, the government published its "Strategy for Sustainable Construction" – as part of its initiative for Building a Better Quality of Life. A year on and after a great deal of consideration, it is evident that in myriad ways, the construction industry has a major role to play in helping to improve the quality of life.
The RIBA CPD Providers Network exists to encourage architects to maintain their competence and develop a leading edge through quality assessed CPD. If specifiers see the RIBA logo, they can be assured of quality CPD training. The network currently has members offering accredited CPD seminars on various aspects of the "sustainable construction" concept (see Table I) and is actively encouraging new providers to join the network. One such organisation is the World Wildlife Fund.
Table I Seminars on aspects of Sustainable Construction
"We are delighted RIBA are promoting the issue of responsible timber sourcing by joining the WWF 95+ Group and enabling us to become CPD network providers", says WWF 95+ Group Coordinator Catherine Graham. "WWF believe that all companies that purchase, use, or specify, timber or paper in the UK have a responsibility to ensure it is from well managed forests, and that the only way to ensure this is if it has been independently certified. At this time only the FSC meet WWF criteria for an independent certification scheme. Through the CPD network, WWF aims to encourage architects and the construction sector to implement responsible timber sourcing policies and specify independently certified timber products – this is good for the environment and good for business."
For many people in the industry, the situation will have been summarised in the words of the RIBA President Marco Goldschmied: "We are members of the first generation who will knowingly leave the planet in a worse condition than that we inherited. We now have an equally historic opportunity to contribute to the sustainability of our planet's scarce resources. Architects have a responsibility to play their part."
Just three sobering statistics to consider are that in the UK alone, half of all CO2 emissions result from energy used in buildings – and annually the industry consumes six tonnes of resources and generates half a tonne of waste – per citizen! It comes as little surprise then to hear that the construction industry is beginning to recognise just what could be achieved,both environmentally and commercially, through the success of a "sustainable construction" strategy.
Needless to say, the "sustainable construction" seminars are proving invaluable for those organisations able to immediately recognise the topics of most relevance to their operation. However, the scale of the concept is enormous and one problem being encountered by a number of organizations, is knowing quite how to identify the areas in which practical action can be taken. It might be helpful to consider the broad areas of activity, identify from those the subjects that might be of most value to your particular organisation and then expand on them through CPD. Do remember that the RIBA CPD team is always on hand to discuss the possibilities with you.
For those who may not be familiar with CPD at the RIBA, qualified architects who belong to the Institute are required to attain 35 hours and 100 points of CPD every year. One major way of keeping up with this requirement is through the RIBA CPD Providers Network. This often takes the form of a free in-house assessed presentation, though there are options available such as CDs, videos and factory visits.
