RIBA moves into Hong Kong, Singapore and the Gulf

The RIBA is to launch three overseas chapters in response to a rise in expatriate membership.

The institute will set up chapters in the UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Singapore chapter, which will open before the end of the year, will be led by architect Goh Chong Chia; the Gulf chapter will open next year and be led by Simon Crispe, regional commercial director for Atkins. The Hong Kong chapter will open later in 2009.

The new entities will be similar to the RIBA’s US chapter, its only other international body, which works in collaboration with the American Institute of Architects.

The RIBA now has over 4,300 members overseas, just over 10% of its membership.

Richard Hastilow, the RIBA’s chief executive, said: “These are the international areas in which we have the greatest concentration of members. Abu Dhabi, for example, has a thriving industry with many professionals out there, and it’s only going to get bigger.”

The two bodies in Asia will be set up with the help of local architects’ institutes, but the Gulf chapter will be a standalone entity. The RIBA hopes to provide similar services to its expatriate members as it does in the UK, such as arranging architectural competitions and forging education links.

More and more architects want international recognition

Richard Hastilow

It also wants to help members to find local practices to partner with, particularly in the Gulf and China.

Hastilow said: “Networking opportunities are an essential part of doing business overseas. We can help facilitate that.”

The RIBA’s international move comes as the downturn in the UK forces architects to seek more work in secure international markets. Hastilow said this was coincidental. He said: “We took this decision in principle long before [the downturn].”

The RIBA will be exhibiting at UAE property conference Cityscape next month.

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