This year the Studio’s Sarah is standing for an RIBA London Seat this is her statement.

How do we as architects become effective agents of social change?

Many of us chose to pursue architecture as a career, as a way of life, not just because we are creative individuals but because we hoped to make people’s environments, and therefore their lives better.

Architecture encompasses the very fabric of peoples’ lives and I believe passionately in the power of architecture and architects to be a force for change. It’s too important to allow it to be subsumed by the constraints of modern practice to get wrong because when the systems by which our cities are produced fail the consequences can be devastating and felt for generations.

Architecture practice and architectural education should engage with the burning issues of the day.

-Inequity

-Housing

-Climate Change

-Mental Health

Diversity of thought is needed to tackle these problems, and those facing the profession – diversity of thought requires a diverse body of practitioners. I believe that means a profession that reflects the people that it serves, all of us. How else can we create cities, homes, school, places of worship, galleries, museums for all. How else can we create places that assist in improving people’s outcomes?

The RIBA is potentially a powerful body for driving change. It should be a vibrant thought hub which stimulates debate and lobbies government for policy change to improve the profession, architects working conditions and the built environment. The RIBA should support, champion and nurture it’s members, everywhere. At a local level this means identifying issues and establishing local support networks. Being based in London, I am acutely aware of the challenges and opportunities this city presents; a wealth of talent exists here, but it can be a tough place to establish oneself. If elected, I would focus on strengthening support and driving change.