EU architects still keen for UK work
Amid Brexit negotiations

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has released its annual report which confirms an increase in applications to practice in the UK from EU citizens. There was a 14.9% increase in EU-qualified architects seeking to work in the UK despite the outcome of the UK’s referendum on Brexit.

The professional regulator of architects in the UK revealed there were 1,232 applications for registration from EU architects throughout the course of 2016, amounting to almost half of all new applications to practice in the UK. This is a figure which flies in the face of industry figures who believe the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) would harm the UK’s attractiveness to European professionals.

As of the end of 2016, the number of architects registered with the ARB totalled 38,511, with a male-female balance of 74%-26%.

Nabila Zulfiqar, chair, ARB, commented on a “continuing upward trend” in the size of the register, along with the growing number of new female architects, up 1% year-on-year.

“The data shows that demand for the regulator’s services remains strong in all areas,” added Zulfiqar.

“The year ahead requires us to focus on the recommendations of the government’s periodic review alongside delivering our statutory functions whilst continuously looking for efficiency and improvement opportunities.

“We will also provide the government with information and expertise on regulatory matters, in relation to the UK’s departure from the EU.

“We remain committed to delivering our statutory remit, protecting the public and supporting the profession through the maintenance of standards.”

At Sunsquare, we too remain committed to forging valued partnerships with technical professionals who acknowledge our innovative approach to designing, manufacturing and installing industry leading architectural rooflights that deliver abundant daylight and thermal efficiency all year round.

We support architects from the planning stage of a building project through to completion, with the ability to provide bespoke rooflight solutions for even the most demanding projects – such as this glass box extension in partnership with Spatial Design Architects.

Our outlook for the rooflight industry remains positive post-Brexit and we look forward to building more working relationships with architects nationwide and across the continent who require state-of-the-art rooflights that not only meet their design requirements but their client’s demands for their new living or workspace.