Westminster, London, United Kingdom
Church Street
A Westminster regeneration scheme delivering mixed-tenure homes, public realm and community uses around a low-energy residential neighbourhood.
EP 025618 June 2026 · 52 min
Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now
YouTube · 52:06Audio only · Transistor00:00 · Introduction and RIBA election context19 chapters ↓
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Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now
Why do architects have so little power in the UK built environment, even when their work shapes housing, public space, procurement and the way cities function?
Stephen Drew speaks with Jay Morton, Director at Bell Phillips Architects, housing campaigner and RIBA presidential candidate, about what is holding the architecture profession back and what needs to change.
The conversation covers:
Why architects are often absent from commercial and political decision-making
How housing delivery, procurement and public policy affect architectural influence
What RIBA needs to do if it wants to be more useful to members and the wider built environment
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It's the 15th AGM. And if you haven't been told by the RBA in your inbox already, it's voting season and you've got to pick who is going to lead as the next RBA president. And I'm really lucky here that I have a friend and a colleague from the industry, which I've known a little bit of for a while, and I've gone to them a little bit more, and I'm excited to say you need to listen to what Jay has to say and think about voting for her as the next RBA president.
Jay, welcome to the podcast. Thank you. Well, how how are you doing? I'm yeah, I'm doing great. I'm really excited. It's been a whirlwind and a extremely busy campaign. It's been great to get to know lots of people. And also, the good thing about campaigning is it's that it's a really hone what you think and what you want to do and what kind of president you want to be.
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Westminster, London, United Kingdom · 2023
Cosway Street
A completed Westminster residential scheme beside the Grade II* listed Christ Church, arranged around a communal garden.
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