ABSTRACT

An architectural education provides many of the skills and thought processes required to integrate and deliver both spatial and organisational innovation. If design can be described as the meaningful and elegant allocation of resources, then others may embrace the culture of design. The shortcomings of architectural professional practice have been recognised for over 20 years. However, architects are still constrained by self-interest in defending existing roles and viewing the building as an object, so rejecting opportunities for increasing value through a wider definition of design. There are optimistic signs that the agenda initiated at the millennium is gaining ground. The Edge commission on the future of professionalism is working across the built environment professions and recognising the need to maintain relevance and deliver value to society.