BAME architects on notice for £500m framework

Architecture practices run by directors from ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds are being encouraged to bid for a place on Southwark’s framework after the local authority was forced to reopen the process.

The architect design services framework, worth up to £500m, was originally announced earlier this year but when it emerged that none of the 110 winning practices was led by black people and very few had BAME directors, the mayor of London criticised its “unacceptable” lack of diversity.

The council and its provider LHC have now announced they are “extending” the framework and would be appointing up to 20 additional practices, both established and emerging.

All but two of the winners have agreed to the expansion but the council told Building Design on Friiday it was still "actively communicating with a couple of practices to understand their concerns". It is understood that 110 firms' agreement would be needed to avoid a potential legal challenge.

Southwark said the new set of successul bidders would be chosen for their design skills but that the amended criteria aimed to attract “talent that puts the local community at the forefront of their designs and can demonstrate a lived experience of that environment”.

The council said the original appointments had followed a lengthy and meticulous competitive process that aimed to draw in a pool of architects from different backgrounds and with varied specialisms. It resulted in an “excellent” framework, it said but acknowledged that it did not reflect the diversity of the borough. Southwark’s population is 25% and 46% non-white.

“A complaint that there were no black-led practices included demonstrated what everyone agreed; that it did not go far enough in terms of representation,” said the council.

“That must improve, in order for everyone to benefit from the rich talent pool that should also be on the list.”

It added that the original 110 winners would be expected to look at their record on equality, diversity and inclusion in the year ahead.

The expanded framework, called 1.1, is set to run for the next three years. Firms can bid for and be awarded up to three lots (see below).

In a contract notice published to the Official Journal the joint venture highlighted how much emphasis it would place on bidding firms’ diversity strategies. It said applications from qualified practices with diverse leadership, an employee model that represents the diversity of London, and lived experience of disadvantaged communities were being particularly encouraged. Firms with a background of having overcome adversity or disadvantage either as a result of protected characteristics or another reason, who had success in bringing under-privileged and BAME architects and interns through their business have also been told to apply.

Interested practices have until 21 January 2021 to register their interest in the framework.

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