EPISODE · Jun 18, 2026 · 52 MIN
Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now
from Architecture Social · host Architecture Social, Stephen Drew
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-makingHow housing delivery, procurement and public policy affect architectural influenceWhat RIBA needs to do if it wants to be more useful to members and the wider built environmentWhy architects need a clearer public, commercial and leadership voiceThis episode was recorded during the 2026 RIBA presidential election period.____▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puoOxol-xBc📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/why-architects-have-zero-power-uk/Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:https://architecturesocial.com/The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:https://archademia.com/architecture-social/Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.____Chapters00:00 Introduction and RIBA election context02:53 Why Jay Morton is running for RIBA President04:34 Jay's background and approach05:39 Why architects are invisible in government07:54 Pressure on architecture practices12:09 Fees and the race to the bottom15:29 Student debt and the cost of studying architecture17:39 Are architects just service providers?18:29 Architects as the doctors of buildings21:14 Why small practices are the backbone of the profession28:27 Why tendering is broken30:08 Public perception versus professional reality32:11 Architecture education and the bubble problem34:18 Apprenticeship funding and access40:37 Where to begin tackling the problem42:40 Advice for Part 1s and Part 2s44:14 AI and the future of the profession46:37 Why Jay does not want fast food buildings48:25 Why she wants to be RIBA PresidentLinks from this episodeJay Morton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymorton/Jay Morton campaign: https://jaymorton.co.uk/Bell Phillips Architects: https://www.bellphillips.com/
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Stephen Drew speaks with Jay Morton about why architects have so little power in the UK built environment, what RIBA needs to change, and how the profession can build a stronger public and commercial voice.
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Why Architects Have Zero Power in the UK Right Now
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