We live and work in a world where trust matters - and we know the impact that trust has in business. Ultimately, trust can mean the failure or success of a business and it’s no less true for architecture practices.
Trust is a powerful asset and brings a sense of confidence and belief in your practice, and it is critical to your long-term success. If you can build an equity of trust, ultimately your practice will keep on winning work.
Being an RIBA Chartered Practice lets potential clients know that you are honest, reputable, capable and trustworthy. Chartered Practices show their badge of honour every time they use the exclusive RIBA affix, title, crest and signboard.
RIBA Chartered Practices are the only architectural practices endorsed and promoted by the RIBA through commitments to quality assurance, business management and client service. From sole practitioners to larger practices with multiple offices, accreditation sends a strong signal to clients, employees and the wider construction industry that your business is committed to excellence in design and service delivery.
Helena Rivera set up A Small Space Studio, in South London, three years ago and felt Chartered Practice membership was essential for her fledgling business.
She said: “The RIBA Chartered Practice accreditation was fundamental to us and that’s still the case. It means being part of a professional community, which is not only skilled and upholds a consistent standard of practice management, but has ethics and duty of care at its core. Collectively we stand for something which is difficult to quantify, but for clients and consultants, being an RIBA Chartered Practice represents upholding the best standards in the UK built environment.
“Winning client trust is essential for our design work and also for the practice. We find that by having Chartered Practice membership we can bypass some of that small talk about how well trained we are, how up to speed we are on building regulations and how aware we are of larger built environment issues – because as a Chartered Practice, that is all a given.
“We are a young, but growing firm and we find that the RIBA ‘badge’ is a major asset to secure international work. For clients that live abroad, appointing us to design and manage their projects can be daunting, but being a RIBA Chartered practice gives them an immediate sense of trust and confidence that we are properly qualified and deeply committed.
“‘Find an Architect’ is a brilliant directory that helps clients find the right architect for their project. Other useful features that a practice can tap into when they are Chartered are the RIBA crest that is so well recognised and the red signboards for sites. Both of these help showcase our professional credentials in an informal but impactful way.”
Find out more about RIBA Chartered Practice Membership.
