At Studio CHY, we believe great architecture goes beyond the buildings we design. It’s about shaping communities, supporting the profession, and creating positive change within the built environment.
That’s why we’re proud to share that our Director, Carl Challinor, is serving as Chair of the Gloucestershire branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). (read full article here)
The RIBA is the UK's professional body for architects, championing excellence in architecture through education, professional standards, collaboration, and advocacy. Alongside supporting its members, the institute works to influence policy, celebrate good design, and improve the quality of the built environment across the UK. Through a network of regional branches, members can help shape conversations within their local communities and contribute to the future of the profession.
As part of a feature highlighting new branch volunteers across the South West and Wessex region, Carl spoke about what inspired him to take on the role and what he hopes to achieve over the coming year.
Q: What inspired you to volunteer for a role within your local RIBA branch?
My district has been facing growing challenges for designers and construction professionals in their engagement with Local Authorities. As such, and after extensive group sessions and forums, I decided to step up to become Gloucestershire branch chair and use RIBA as a platform for local architects to positively engage with said authorities and find sensible ways to bridge the divide. After all, without local authorities we couldn’t get our designs built!
So, it is very important that architects have a platform to work with local planners and councillors to collaboratively discuss (in a non-combative way). And this can only result in a better environment for all of us and lead to better designs in our district – which is what we want as a collective.
This has since grown to become an opportunity for our branch to champion many of the issues facing our industry and professional, including the difficulties for women in architecture, issues with diversity, regulations, and so much more. So, I can wholeheartedly say that becoming more involved as a volunteer with RIBA has led to things I couldn’t have imagined when I started, and I look forward to seeing where it leads in the future.
Q: What’s your vision for the branch over the coming year?
We are looking to set up a host of interesting events and initiatives aimed at championing social values, engaging with local authorities and multi-disciplinary professions in construction as a whole, and standing as an example for the younger generations to see what good architecture and passionate architects can achieve when they work together with an institute like RIBA.
As a practice, we're excited to see these ambitions develop over the coming months. By bringing together architects, planners, consultants, educators, and local authorities, we hope to help strengthen Gloucestershire's architectural community while inspiring future generations to appreciate the lasting value of thoughtful, well-designed places.
Carl's appointment is not only a personal achievement but also an opportunity for Studio CHY to continue supporting meaningful conversations that benefit both our profession and the communities we serve.
If you're looking for an architectural practice that values collaboration, thoughtful design, and community impact, get in touch with Studio CHY today. We'd be delighted to discuss how we can support your next project.
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