The strength of an institution can be in its ability to reinvent itself for a changing world, says RIBA president Muyiwa Oki
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the strength of institutions – how they endure, how they fade and how they can be reinvigorated for a changing world. Why Nations Fail, a book by Daron Acemoglu and James A Robinson, explores how prosperity often hinges on an institution’s willingness to open itself up to something they call ‘creative destruction’. They argue that societies (and by extension, professional institutes like ours) flourish when old structures are replaced by new, more dynamic and inclusive frameworks.
Creative destruction isn’t tearing down for the sake of chaos. It’s more a natural clearing of old debris to make room for growth, giving way to innovative ideas and fresh approaches. This constant renewal means that expertise doesn’t get hoarded by a handful of gatekeepers; instead, it circulates, multiplies and evolves. This is how new technologies emerge, how social norms become more equitable, and how entire fields – architecture included – can reinvent themselves to meet a changed world outlook.
By extension, a thriving institution’s ability to embrace ‘creative destruction’ can extend into its product – in our case, great architecture. Architecture is no stranger to the concept of reinvention. At RIBA, we’re guided by the Way Ahead framework – a pathway that outlines what it means to be a truly competent architect in the 21st century. Competency is no longer defined solely by one’s ability to produce blueprints or specify materials. Instead, it includes cultural literacy, collaborative engagement, technological fluency and an understanding of the social and environmental consequences of one’s work.
This new approach also recognises the importance of specialisations. Some professionals will push the boundaries of parametric design, others will focus on heritage conservation while others will do great things in policy development or practical research. Each path is valuable and each contributes to the richness of our field.
Moreover, RIBA is taking steps to ensure architectural training and practice align with current and future needs. We’re actively considering lessons learned in areas like health and life safety – critical given the introduction of the Building Safety Act – while ensuring climate literacy and social responsibility are embedded in our education frameworks. The message is clear: architects must be versatile, adaptable and profoundly aware of their impact.
In this spirit, we have recently collaborated with the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) to refine our safety and competency testing. The RIBA Health and Safety Test, now mandatory for all chartered members who design buildings built in England, covers a broader spectrum of issues: personal safety on sites managed by contractors, greater attention to pre-construction risks, and enhanced coverage of designers’ duties and design risk management. Our goal is to create a testing regime that can be used to gain professional services providers (like us) access to site, and ensures they are well-prepared to engage responsibly at every stage of a project. I urge all members to take this test now.
Later this year we will launch pilot assessments for the mandatory competencies of climate literacy and ethical practice.
Like buildings, institutions need regular maintenance and sometimes a complete overhaul. By leaning into creative destruction, inclusivity and adaptability, RIBA is forging a path. We want the architectural profession to do more than just survive; we want it to thrive and make a tangible difference to society. The strength of our institution lies in our willingness to transform, learn and lead.