Did you know that London is the global hub for architectural services?
This spring, representatives from the Architects’ Company, including current Master, Chris Williamson and Richard Brindley, a former Director of RIBA, presented a co-authored document to Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli on the importance of the architecture industry to London.
In response, the Lord Mayor praised the research that "clears a path for all of us to initiate a far more informed debate on how best to support the sector. It deserves to be read, and read widely."
Drawing on RIBA's research findings and recognised industry metrics, this summary underlines the capital’s status as the unrivalled global hub for architecture:
- London is the base for a third of the world's top 100 architecture practices.
- More than half (58%) of all UK architectural staff operate in London.
- London generates 70% (£2.5bn) of the annual income from architectural services in the UK.
- London-based UK chartered practices contribute 87% (£653m) of the UK's international earnings in architecture, with a 43% increase over the past two years.
With the new government setting out their priorities, we’re sharing it now to highlight some of the challenges facing the profession. Issues such as talent retention, professional recognition, and market access post-Brexit all need political support to sustain London’s global role and support growth outside the capital.
As Chris Williamson says, “When you work in the industry, it’s obvious every day, at every event, that London has significant international sway as a hub for architecture. But take a step back and you find that perspective outside the industry is missing. We need to be louder in celebrating the role of architects in driving economic growth in the capital and in the UK, and do more to create a global community to promote the profession’s interests at home and overseas to the benefit of society.”
