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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
5 December 2023
Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) & Royal Incorporation of Architects Scottish Student Awards in Architecture winners announced
The winners of the 2023 Architecture and Design Scotland and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Scottish Student Awards for Architecture have been announced.
The winning projects included ideas on how to reuse materials from redundant buildings, resolve our industrial past, how communities can connect to the land through architecture and why cities have to be fun to be sustainable.
30 November 2023
House set within a ruin is Scotland’s building of the year
Cuddymoss – a ‘building within a ruin’ in north Ayrshire designed by Ann Nisbet Studio – has been named today as the winner of the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). Cuddymoss is the first one-off house to win the RIAS Doolan Award since its inception in 2002.
Latest news from RIAS
28.03.2024
Open Call to membership to nominate Honorary Fellows.
The RIAS Honorary Fellows recognises people who have made a significant contribution to Scotland's cultural, academic, business or political life and to international figures who contribute to the world of architecture. Honorary Fellows should be individuals who are not eligible for normal RIAS membership.
05.05.2023
RIAS Bookshop Announces Exciting Collaboration with Gallery TEN for Architectural Print Exhibition
The RIAS Bookshop is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with Gallery TEN, showcasing an exhibition of architecturally inspired original print works in the Members' Room at 15 Rutland Square.
view more news
Latest tweets
Tweets by RIASmembershipCreating spaces for inspiring conversations
RIAS Strategy 2019-2024
There has never been a more vital time for the RIAS and its members to be active in Scotland’s conversation about architecture and the built environment.
RIAS has a unique role to play by applying the creativity and experience of its members across Scotland to help individuals, communities and businesses to develop a higher quality, more sustainable built environment that will stand the test of time.
This new 5-year strategy “Creating space for inspiring conversations” seeks to open up and widen dialogue. It has been shaped by our members, all of whom are active in communities across Scotland. They are effective collaborators; and share a passion for buildings and places that can bring important economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits.
Download the strategy
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
FI248
Contractor Insolvency under SBCC Minor Works Contract (2016 Edition): the role of Contract Administrator
This note has been prepared by David Wedderburn, Practice Services Contractual Adviser. It supersedes FI1211. General Principle The general principle is that the Architect/Contract Administrator (“CA”) is obliged to administer the contract in its terms impartially and fairly. However the Employer can avail him/herself of any protections provided by the law of insolvency and by the specific terms of the contract and in doing so the Employer can be assisted by the Architect as long as this does not conflict with the Architect’s role as CA. In this note the contract referred to is SBCC Minor Works Contract (MW/Scot or MWD/Scot) 2016 editions and any defined terms are as defined in the Contract. The principal sections of the Contract to consider are Section 5 Payment and Section 7 Termination.
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OS249
Scottish Government New Build Heat Standard: factsheet
Further to Practice Note OS242: Publication of the new standard 6.11 within Section 6 (energy) of the 2024 Technical Handbooks within Scottish building regulations, practices may be interested to know that the Scottish Government has published a factsheet detailing how the New Build Heat Standard has affected the type of heating system permitted in new build homes and properties.
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BP244
NCSC Principles for ransomware-resistant cloud backups and small organisation guidance
The National Cyber Security Centre supports organisations in the UK by providing guidance in relation to cyber security, and when required, effective incidence response to minimise harm. Recent guidance has been issued helping to make organisations' cloud-based backups more resistant to the effects of destructive ransomware.
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view more information about RIAS Services for Practices
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
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.
view RIAS Awards
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 the RIAS Gold Medal and a cash prize, making this one oft the most significant architecture awards in the world.
view Doolan Award
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.
view more information about RIAS Services for Students
Contacting Us
Address
15 Rutland SquareEdinburgh
EH1 2BE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 229 7545