It’s all about the Money: Learning from Barristers

This is an article summary from the Rethinking the Architectural Profession in the Post-Grenfell Era essay series written by enframe. Summaries available on the Building Safety wki and full articles via Substack links in each article.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase Two Report lays bare a harsh reality: inadequate fees can lead to under-resource teams, rushed designs, and compromised safety. It’s an issue that the UK architectural profession must confront.

Our latest article, "It's All About the Money: Learning from Barristers," explores the origins of this problem, tracing it back to the 1980s abandonment of RIBA fee scales and comparing it with the regulatory frameworks of the legal profession. Unlike architects, barristers adopted value-based fee models that balance fair compensation with professional accountability, allowing them to maintain high standards while avoiding the "race to the bottom”.

By drawing lessons from the legal sector, architects can adopt transparent fee structures, emphasise the value of their expertise, and champion fair pay. Addressing these challenges isn’t just about compensation - it’s about ensuring safety, compliance, and the integrity of the profession.

It’s a topic that will get us all talking and one we will be returning to later in the series.

Sign-up to read the article for free here: Enframe Substack It’s all about the Money: Learning from Barristers

--enframe

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