ARB’s code of conduct overhaul calls for architects to step up

The architectural profession finds itself – along with the wider construction industry – at a pivotal moment. The expectations placed on architects, both by the public and by the regulatory bodies overseeing their work, have never been higher.

At the same time, the days of static roles, where one set of skills and practices could serve an entire career, are over. We now live in an era where continual evolution, learning and accountability are non-negotiable.

This necessity is keenly reflected in the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) draft consultation for a new code of conduct, which sets the tone for a profession in a period of transformation.

The last few years have put a particular focus on the competencies and culture of the construction and architecture sectors. Grenfell highlighted deep and systemic failings across the industry. The tragedy underscored the urgent need for reform in every aspect of construction and design, particularly in how architects understand their ethical and professional responsibilities.

The Grenfell Inquiry was clear in its critique, concluding that architects must play a far more proactive role in ensuring building safety, with the report noting that architects cannot simply pass the buck when it comes to regulatory compliance. This sentiment is at the heart of the ARB’s revised code of conduct and its drive for professionalism grounded in public trust.

The code was last updated in 2017. In contrast with the general tendency towards adding to existing guidance, the new draft code seeks to simplify, and is significantly shorter than the previous version.

Architects today face a built environment in flux, with new building products and regulatory demands requiring constant adaptation

In its 2024 draft code, the ARB places a clear emphasis on six core standards: honesty and integrity, public interest, competence, professional practice, communication and collaboration, and respect. This simplified yet stringent structure reflects the reality that architectural practice, and the skills needed to execute it responsibly, must evolve alongside the challenges of the modern world.

Architects today face a built environment in flux, with new building products and regulatory demands requiring constant adaptation. The pace of regulatory change is no longer gradual; it is almost continuous, spurred by a heightened focus on safety and sustainability.

The public’s expectations are equally high. As ARB’s 2024 consultation points out, architects must “protect the health and safety of those who construct, maintain, and use buildings and places”. This is a fundamental shift in the framing of an architect’s duty – moving beyond responsibility to serve the client to a broader societal obligation.

It is no longer enough to design aesthetically pleasing or functional buildings; architects must actively ensure that these spaces are safe for everyone who interacts with them.

This shift is mirrored in the profession’s drive to meet growing sustainability demands. The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, and architects are on the front lines of the battle to mitigate this impact.

The ARB’s recent research report on professionalism found that, while safety remains the public’s primary concern, sustainability is not far behind.

The research report found that architects are increasingly expected to “advocate for higher levels of environmental sustainability in construction,” and failure to do so will likely lead to a loss of public trust. The fact that 77% of respondents agreed that architects should only work on projects that implement sustainable practices is a clear signal of the direction in which the profession must head.

The Grenfell disaster has had a profound influence on public perception of the architecture profession. While the ARB’s 2024 consultation has been informed by a detailed report on public expectations, which highlighted the importance of values such as “integrity, commitment, and empathy,” the profession must also address the perceived gap between these values and their actual implementation in practice.

The report found that the public largely assumes that architects operate to high standards, but there is little awareness of the formal mechanisms, such as codes of conduct, that enforce these standards. This is a key point: if architects are to maintain the public’s trust, it must be clear not only that they adhere to a strict code but also that this code is robust, modern and actively enforced.

This is a crucial evolution – placing the architect not just in a reactive role but as a proactive guardian of safety, quality, and the public good

The 2017 code of conduct, while still serviceable, falls short of fully addressing the scope of issues that have become more pressing in the intervening years. For example, the 2017 version refers to the importance of being “honest and acting with integrity” and managing conflicts of interest, but the updated version goes further. It requires architects to actively report breaches of professional standards and to “challenge others where their actions may put people at risk, and report them to an appropriate authority when those risks are not adequately managed.”

This is a crucial evolution – placing the architect not just in a reactive role but as a proactive guardian of safety, quality, and the public good.

Equally significant is the new draft code’s focus on communication and collaboration. Architects today must work in a highly interconnected environment, where projects often involve multidisciplinary teams spanning various sectors.

Effective communication is not just a “soft skill” but a core component of competent practice. The new code rightly places a premium on this, recognising that better architecture is “delivered when working collaboratively as part of a team where everyone understands their role and is accountable for their decisions.”

Another notable change is the draft code’s emphasis on respect, equity, diversity and inclusion. The ARB’s commitment to these values reflects wider societal changes and acknowledges the profession’s need to be more inclusive, both in its internal practices and in the environments it creates.

Architects are now increasingly required to be champions of diversity, contributing to a “positive and inclusive working environment”. In a world that is becoming increasingly diverse, this shift is being presented as no longer optional – but as essential for the profession to remain relevant and credible. As a recent BD review highlighted, some are likely to view this as regulatory overreach by ARB.  

The architectural profession is standing at a crossroads, driven by societal, environmental, and regulatory forces. Stasis is no longer realistic. Continual learning, upskilling, and adaptation are now the norm, and architects must rise to this challenge if they are to maintain public trust and fulfil their broader responsibilities to society.

The revised ARB code of conduct sets a framework that reflects these realities, but it is up to the profession to truly embrace this new era of accountability and excellence. By doing so, architects can ensure that they remain not just relevant, but indispensable, to the future of the built environment.