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Sighthill Regeneration, Glasgow – Collective Architecture
© Keith Hunter
Welcome to
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is a champion of Architecture and the Built Environment in Scotland. It supports the interests of its growing membership, united through its six regional Chapters, to promote the importance of well-designed buildings and places.
RIAS is a registered charity run by, and for, its members.
learn more about the RIAS
Find an architect
For Practices
The RIAS Practice Department tackles legal and contractual issues, commissioning, fees, appointment arrangements, insurance problems, dispute resolution and legislation as well as monitoring the work of other industry bodies. All of this feeds back into CPD for architects.
The RIAS Practice Department offers advice and information to interested parties such as clients, other construction professional bodies, trade associations, MSPs, the Scottish Government, Local Authorities as well as gathering essential statistical information about the profession. The Practice Department also advises on dispute resolution.
Latest Practice Notes from RIAS Practice Services
SC197
Sustainability re-examined
We invited Richard Atkins, the author of the 2006 RIAS practice note “A Focus on Sustainability” (BP066) to reconsider its contents in the light of the Extinction Rebellion movement, the Scottish Government’s declaration of a ‘climate emergency’ and commitment to a net zero emissions by 2045 and the recent work of the RIBA Commission on Ethics and Sustainable Development:
12 August 2019
BP197
DIY Home Builders VAT Reclaim
This article was written by Iain Masterton, Director of VAT at Chiene + Tait Chartered Accountants. Chiene + Tait provide accountancy services to the Incorporation.The DIY House Builders VAT scheme is available for people who build their own homes to reclaim the VAT incurred on their building costs. This scheme puts self-builders in the same position as people who buy new houses from housebuilders in that the costs are zero rated for VAT.
12 August 2019
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Working with an Architect
Whatever the size of your building project, it makes sense to consult a professional. Architects offer unrivalled training and experience in the design and construction of buildings. Architects provide a service that extends well beyond producing a set of drawings. Adept at identifying the aspirations and needs of their clients, architects will bring their special skills, knowledge and experience to a project.
The RIAS offers a wide range of services for members of the public and organisations to help them commission a chartered architect or practice for their building project. These include:
The RIAS Directory of Architectural Practices and Projects
Information about Scottish architectural practices and their recent projects. Use the "Find an architect" search below to find an architect near you or one that specialises in a particular building type.
The RIAS Client Advisory Service
If you’re planning an alteration, extension or a new-build, the Client Advisory Service is here to help you through the process of commissioning an architect, including advice on appointment documents, building permissions and work stages. In the unlikely event of a dispute arising with your architect, the RIAS can advise.
Specialist Skills
The RIAS can also provide lists of architects who are specialists in the fields of conservation, sustainability and energy design certification.
RIAS Consultancy and Design Competition Service
The RIAS Consultancy has over 25 years' experience in managing design competitions and other quality-based processes for selecting design teams. We work with both the public and private sectors and projects range from community buildings to high-profile and iconic structures.
view services for the public
Thomas Telford Parliamentary Church, Berneray – Patience & Highmore
© Derek Patience
Architectural Awards in Scotland
RIAS Awards
The combined RIAS/RIBA Awards demonstrate the quality and breadth of current architectural endeavour in Scotland. Projects represent the very best of urban and rural projects, from small hours to large public buildings.
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RIAS Doolan Award
The RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award’s objective each year is to find and celebrate the best building in Scotland. The architects of the winning building receive £25,000, making this both the largest architectural prize in the UK and one of the most significant architecture awards in the world.
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RIAS / A&DS Student Awards
Our Student Awards, in tandem with Architecture & Design Scotland, are an annual highlight – marking the vigour of Scotland's architectural schools and the tremendous talent of our student members. The future of architecture is in their hands – and certain to be both careful and invigorating.
view RIAS/A&DS Student Awards
Drifting City / Venice
Douglas Tullie, Ben Watson, Phoebe Yu – Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
© Douglas Tullie, Ben Watson, Phoebe Yu
For Students
Architects make a unique and far reaching contribution to the built environment. Their designs should be responsive to social, cultural and environmental issues, utilising the rich potential of science and technology to achieve quality in the design of spaces, forms and details. For architects to play this effective and rewarding role, a great deal of skill and knowledge are required.
Becoming a Student member of the RIAS is the first step towards your professional career. RIAS Student membership is free to all architectural students studying at one of the five schools of architecture in Scotland.
If you are interested in a career in architecture or want more information about one of the Scottish architectural schools, browse the dedicated section for students.
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Contacting Us
Address
15 Rutland SquareEdinburgh
EH1 2BE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 229 7545