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THE ACA AT LONDON BUILD 2018 ' AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT, BRIAN WATERS
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London Build 2018 are delighted that the Association of Consultant Architects (ACA) are the lead partner for the London Design Summit being held on the 23rd and 24th of October.
Led by the president, Brian Waters, the ACA is bringing their expertise to bear in the London Design Zone and are taking part in the many presentations planned for 23rd October.
We recently caught up with Brian to get an insight into the ACA, and how the organisation is so critical in delivering support for its members and architectural practice in the UK.
We began by delving into the role the ACA plays in its representation of architects:
'We are the national professional body that represents architects in private practice in the UK. We represent Registered Architects practising on their own or in a partnership or as an architectural practice company director.
Brian continued by saying:
"We provide a voice for and support to architectural practices and promote and encourage high standards of practice within the membership. We provide best practice guidance and events for architects including publications of architectural appointments, partnering and alliancing building contracts, networking events including the Soapbox series of debates on current issues within the profession.
"We also promote architects to the public via our directory of practices and provide guidance to potential clients on how to choose and appoint an architect.'
The principal aims of the ACA are to encourage excellence in the quality of service the members provide and to vigorously represent the objectives and interests of architects in private practice on issues relating to the practice of architecture.
Brian said that:
'The ACA believes that practising architects should have an effective independent voice to represent their interests within the construction industry and beyond, through contact with the press, other professional and trade bodies and government departments as well to promote the value of the services that architects provide to the public at large.
'Its enduring purpose is to maintain an up-to-date and agile response to important current issues about architectural practice and to respond with opinion and support. This is delivered in the form of seminars, networking and discussion groups for the membership and by tracking and publicly commenting on the opinions and activities of Parliament, government departments and other relevant organisations.'
Turning to the benefits the ACA brings for architects, Brian noted that:
'The Association lobbies and consults with government and major industry bodies, arranging events and providing other services in support of this goal. ACA members enjoy discounted rates at events and on publications and the knowledge that members are supporting a respected voice within the profession and industry.
'Our directory is becoming the go-to place for architect selection from the public and is linked to the Planning Portal. Partnerships with CIAT, BIID and SPACES ensure construction industry events reach members at discounted rates.'
Finally, we asked Brian how being a part of London Build helps the ACA:
"Being a partner with London Build ensures that our members can attend leading CPD talks and discussions and therefore become more engaged directly with other construction professionals.'This is an important event for any architect looking to learn of the latest opportunities the UK's architecture, engineering and construction industries have to offer''.
The Design Zone and London Design Summit at London Build 2018 attracts thousands of architects, interior designers, specifiers, architectural technologists and suppliers from across the UK. Be a part of the conversation and register today.
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