EP 025618 June 2026 · 52 min
Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now
52:06
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?
About this conversation
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
Topics in this episode
Transcript
Back to playerRead the conversation.
Automatically generated. Words and speaker labels may contain mistakes. Play a passage to hear the original.
Opening of the conversation
Every timestamp jumps to that moment in the video.
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.
Bell Phillips Architects projects
The work behind the conversation.
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.
View project →Westminster, London, United Kingdom · 2023
Cosway Street
A completed Westminster residential scheme beside the Grade II* listed Christ Church, arranged around a communal garden.
View project →
EP 0257 · 84 minHe Started His Own Architecture Practice at 29Alex Sutton
EP 0254 · 78 minRunning an Architecture Practice Isn't What You ThinkTim O'Callaghan
EP 0253 · 73 minHow to Future Proof Your Architecture CareerAmi Nigam
EP 0249 · 99 minThe Future of Housing: A Deep Dive into Modular Innovation with ZedPodsLalit Chauhan
The newsletter
Get the next conversation in your inbox.
New episodes, the companion guides and the Friday session. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Comments
What’s your take?
Loading the conversation…
Be curious. Be kind. Disagree with ideas, not people.
Continue in the forum →