We brought together some of the most stimulating and thought provoking comment pieces in 2024 - take a look at what our columnists had to say
At BD, we bring together some of the sharpest voices and most original perspectives to tackle the big issues facing architecture today. Through our daily comment pieces, we provide a platform for informed debate, thoughtful critique, and bold calls for change.
This year, our contributors delved into some of the profession’s most pressing challenges. Jason Boyle, a veteran architect and prominent podcaster, shared his powerful story of why he ultimately decided to leave the profession, citing low wages, diminishing autonomy, and financial instability as systemic issues in need of reform. Aylin Round explored the stark disconnect between the public perception of architecture as a career and the often difficult realities faced by those within it.
Eleanor Jolliffe examined the growing trend of architects moving to work for contractors, arguing that this shift may herald a new era for the profession, one that demands designers who can balance creativity with technical expertise. Meanwhile, Neal Shasore turned the spotlight on architectural education, questioning whether the lessons of Grenfell have truly been learned and calling for deeper reforms to ensure accountability and safety remain at the heart of the profession.
Below, we’ve curated a selection of BD’s most compelling comment and opinion pieces from 2024. These articles reflect the diverse voices and critical thinking that define our coverage, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping architecture today.
Take a moment to explore the highlights and revisit the debates that have shaped this year.
Why I finally quit architecture
Architectural veteran and leading podcaster Jason Boyle calls for industry-wide reform, highlighting low wages, declining autonomy, and financial instability as driving factors in his decision to leave architecture.
Expectations vs reality: The truth about architecture as a career
There is a huge mismatch between how the architectural profession is perceived and the reality, writes Aylin Round.
How did architecture become such a poorly paid profession and what can we do about it?
The profession must consolidate and specialise to address challenges around low fees and pay, writes Matthew Lloyd.
Does the rise of the contractor-side architect mark the start of a new era for the profession?
The industry needs a designer who understands the art of architecture, and grasps the technical details of construction, writes Eleanor Jolliffe.
Trump’s return: US architects brace for challenges over the next four years
From the possible return of neoclassical mandates to a threatened clampdown on immigration, Chris Fogarty assesses the potential impact of a second Trump presidency on US architecture.
David Rudlin explores how biodiversity net gain regulations are clashing with the government’s housing targets.
Have we learned the lessons of Grenfell? Architectural education is in the spotlight
Neal Shasore makes a call for deeper reform in how architects are trained and held accountable post-Grenfell.
Why building inclusion should be seen as a professional obligation
Everyone says an inclusive organisation is important, but too few people are ready to invest the time and money to make it so. That has to change, writes Marsha Ramroop.
Why architects need to embrace the new UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
The NZCBS proposes to limit emissions in the built environment in line with our nation’s climate targets, writes Dav Bansal.
Empty, decaying, at risk: Glasgow’s architectural heritage crisis
Alexander Thomson’s St Vincent Street Church has closed, the city is selling off a Mackintosh building to save money, and Victorian gems lie empty. Glasgow’s architectural heritage is at a tipping point, writes John Stewart.
Why architects must embrace the Principal Designer role
As RIBA launches a domestic category of its Principal Designer Register, Jack Pringle explains why the role is an opportunity for architects to take the lead.
The genesis of ‘starchitect’ culture: A product of education or practice?
Architectural training too often leaves students beholden to misguided beliefs and ill-equipped for the workplace. It’s time for change, writes Satish Jassal.
How public sector procurement reform can unlock innovation in architecture and empower SMEs
Procurement processes must evolve to enable a broader range of architects to contribute innovative solutions to housing and infrastructure, writes Hien Nguyen.
True placemaking is about so much more than just a numbers game. King’s Cross is a prime example…
The delivery of much-needed new homes requires patient, joined-up thinking that takes into account factors other than profit and speed, says former HS2 design director Kay Hughes.
Is the lack of ornament in architecture a barrier to diversity?
Modernism’s stripped back aesthetic could be seen as inclusive, but is it actually an impediment to diversity, asks Ben Flatman.
Techno Deco: AI and the revival of ornamentation in architecture
AI and digital fabrication are revolutionising architecture, blending tradition with innovation, writes Andy Shaw.
The missing business education in architecture: Why architects struggle to value their services
In an industry where fee undercutting erodes standards and stability, it’s time for architecture to embrace business education and defend the true value of its expertise, writes Nicholas Jewell.
Seven years after Grenfell: We have come a long way, but there is still a huge amount to do
Andrew Mellor reflects on the Grenfell Inquiry’s demand for radical reforms. The message is clear: urgent action is needed to protect lives
Swimming in the Seine: ‘What a wonderful, romantic ambition’
The Paris Olympics has had to tackle political, environmental, and urban planning challenges, writes Sophie Thompson.
What’s stopping us from rebuilding?
The sorry story of the Crooked House pub tells us that sometimes maybe we have to let a building go, writes Anna Beckett.
Best of 2024
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