RIBA Awards

RIBA Awards Judging 2013

Applications for volunteering to judge in 2013 have now closed.

The RIBA is inviting members to volunteer to help judge both the Regional and RIBA National Awards for 2013. Each Shortlister or Judge plays a crucial part in a rigorous and thorough process that leads ultimately to the RIBA Stirling Prize. The task of judging buildings is a fascinating one. It carries the responsibility for upholding and celebrating the highest standards of British architecture.

It involves balancing the complexities that any building project will have faced with aesthetic, sustainability and conservation considerations, as well as the local context. It means taking a collective view and having a clear vision on what constitutes architectural excellence. It is not necessarily an easy task, but it is an immensely rewarding one. It offers the chance to influence the most high-profile activity of the year in British architecture while presenting excellent opportunities for personal and professional development. 

If you are interested in volunteering read on to discover what each role requires.

What does a Regional Jury do?

The three-person Regional Jury will meet in March 2013 in the relevant Region. Shortlisters, who between them have visited all entries for that region, will report back to the Jury and make recommendations as to which buildings merit further consideration and a visit by the Jury.

The RIBA regional office will organise visits for the Jury. These normally take place in March or April. All three members of the Jury must attend. If any scheme require a conservation or sustainability specialist, one will be appointed. At the end of the visits the Jury will decide their Regional winners and their recommendations for RIBA National Award winners. In May the Jury Chair will report back to the RIBA at its offices in London. 

Shortlisting Panel

Shortlisters: Architects who visit up to six schemes in late February and early March and report back to a meeting of fellow Regional Shortlisters and the Regional Jury. They will make recommendations on which schemes should be visited by the Regional Jury.

Requirements:

  • Chartered member of the RIBA.
  • Volunteer 3 - 4 days over Feb and March (travel expenses are paid).
  • Shortlisters may not apply if they served as a shortlister in 2012.

The Regional Jury

The three-person Jury decides which building entries are shortlisted visited and awarded.

Jury Chair: An Architect who leads the three-person Jury, which visits the schemes and judges RIBA Regional and National Awards.

Requirements:

  • Chartered Member of the RIBA who is a previous Award winner of a relevant architectural prize (such as a RIBA Award or Civic Trust Award). OR
  • Chartered Member with significant experience in practice at a senior level or significant experience of teaching architecture at a RIBA validated school. AND
  • Willing to chair a Panel and Jury anywhere in the UK for up to 5 - 6 days over Feb, March, April and May (travel expenses are paid).
  • Jury Chairs who have served in this capacity in 2011 or 2012 cannot apply.

Regional Representative: An Architect who can explain and articulate the context and complexity of the region they live and/or work in.

Requirements:

  • Chartered member of the RIBA.
  • Significant experience and track record in practice or teaching (at a RIBA Validated school) in the region they wish to represent.
  • Volunteer 4 - 5 days over Feb, March, April and May (expenses are paid).
  •  Architects cannot apply if they have served as a regional representative or jury chair in 2011 or 2012.

Lay Assessor: Professional person with background, knowledge and experience in a discipline related to architecture and the built environment.

Requirements:

  • Demonstrable interest in architecture.
  • Volunteer 3 - 4 days over March, April and May (travel expenses are paid).
  • Previous lay assessors cannot apply if they have served as a lay assessor in 2011 or 2012.
  • The lay assessor must visit shortlisted schemes as part of the three person Jury.

Specialist advisors

Architects with expertise in Conservation Architecture and/or Sustainable Design are required to advise the Regional Jury.

Conservation Architecture Specialist: Architect co-opted onto a Jury Panel on case-by-case basis

Requirements:
Chartered member of the RIBA
Registered on the RIBA Conservation Register at SCA (Specialist) level.
Volunteer 2 - 3 days over March and April

Sustainability Architect Specialist: Architect co-opted onto a Jury Panel on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements:

  • Chartered member of the RIBA.
  • Demonstrate a portfolio of exemplary low carbon design.
  • Volunteer 2 - 3 days over March and April. 

If you have any questions you can contact Mike Clarke, RIBA Yorkshire on mike.clarke@riba.org| or 0113 389 9870.

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