Spread the word. In a recent piece in the RIBA Journal (Oct 2025), President Chris Williamson called on architects to do more to explain and promote the value of what we do. As he put it, “To increase public appreciation of architects, people need to be aware of what we can do.” That challenge struck a chord — and he is right. Most people don’t really know what an architect does, or indeed the best way to find one! Our professional bodies recognise this gap in understanding — RIBA, RIAS and the Architects Registration Board (ARB) — and they publish guides explaining the role of an architect. They’re clear and well‑designed, but if our own profession is asking us to step up and share our story, then this is our contribution. We want to show what we believe a good architect is best at — especially for homeowners and clients who may only work with an architect once in their lives: to demystify the role.

A call to action by the new RIBA president

What does an Architect actually do?

Of course, architecture itself is a wide and varied field. Before setting up my own practice, I worked within a medium‑sized studio where architects took on many different roles — from early concept design and client liaison, to technical detailing, planning negotiations, and contract administration. In larger practices, those responsibilities are often spread across teams, with architects specialising in areas such as conservation, sustainability, healthcare, or complex infrastructure. Others, like us now, work more directly with homeowners and communities, guiding projects from first conversations through to completion. That diversity is one of the strengths of the profession, but it also makes it harder for the public to pin down exactly what an architect does.

The most common misconception is that architects just “draw plans.” Yes, drawings are part of what we do — but they’re only one small piece of the puzzle. Behind every drawing is a process of listening, testing, negotiating, and refining.

When I begin working with clients on a new build home, the first thing they often say is: “We’d like a house design.” My response is always to step back and ask: “How do you want to live?” Because a house isn’t just a collection of rooms — it’s the backdrop to daily life. Do you want open, social spaces for entertaining? Quiet corners for retreat? Flexibility for a growing family? By starting with lifestyle, the design becomes a response to how people want to live, not just a set of walls and a roof.

The same principle applies when someone approaches me about a home extension. Clients often arrive with a solution already in mind: “We need an extension.” My role is to pause and ask instead: “What isn’t working — and how do you want to live? Do you need an extension to achieve this?”

Sometimes the answer is yes, more space is the right solution. But often, the real issue is how the existing space functions. Reconfiguring rooms, improving flow, or introducing more light can achieve the same outcome as an extension, sometimes more effectively and at lower cost.

In both cases, the starting point is the same: understanding the problem before proposing the solution. That’s where the real value of an architect lies — not in producing drawings, but in diagnosing needs, clarifying aspirations, and designing spaces that genuinely work.

The stereotype most people picture — an architect with their plans. The reality is far more complex.

The value an architect brings

For me, the value of an architect isn’t in the drawings — it’s in the conversations that happen before a line is ever drawn. It’s in asking the right questions, uncovering what isn’t working, and translating that into a design that genuinely improves daily life.

Yes, we bring creativity and technical knowledge, but more than that, we bring clarity. We help clients see possibilities they hadn’t imagined, protect them from costly mistakes, and give them confidence that their project is in safe hands.

That combination — creativity, rigour, and advocacy — is what makes the difference. It’s what turns a house into a home, or a set of ideas into a place that feels right for the people who live in it.

And of course, when you put that level of trust in someone, you want to know they’re properly qualified and accountable. That’s where regulation comes in.

Regulation: ARB, RIBA and RIAS

The title “architect” is protected by law. In the UK, only those registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) can legally use it. That matters, because it gives clients a level of assurance you don’t get with someone describing themselves as an “architectural designer” or “technician.”

Architectural Technicians are skilled in the technical side of construction. They often focus on detailing, specifications, and ensuring that drawings can be built.
Architectural Designers is a broad, unregulated term. Anyone can use it, regardless of training or qualifications. Some may have experience, but the title itself doesn’t guarantee professional standards.
Architects, by contrast, are legally protected under the Architects Act 1997. To use the title, you must be registered with ARB and, if chartered, also a member of RIBA or RIAS. That means years of training, professional examinations, codes of conduct, and mandatory insurance.

For me, this framework is about trust. Clients are often making one of the biggest investments of their lives, and they deserve to know that the person guiding them is qualified, regulated, and accountable. It’s the foundation that allows the creative side of architecture to flourish — because you can have confidence that the basics are covered.

Why this matters for you

A building project, whether it’s a simple alteration or a complete new build, is one of the biggest investments most people will ever make. Yet too often, clients approach it without really knowing what an architect can do for them. That’s where misunderstandings — and disappointments — creep in.

By “spreading the word,” we can shift that perception. Architects aren’t a luxury add‑on. We’re a safeguard, a creative partner, and a translator of complexity. There is a wealth of knowledge out there if you know where to look. A good starting point are these industry body resources, with guides, registers, advice and FAQs:

Guides by RIBA and RIAS – demystifying the role of architects in home design and commissioning in Scotland and UK

Closing thoughts

A good architect understands that architecture isn’t about buildings — it’s about the people who use them, no matter how grand or humble. The focus is always on lives lived within those spaces. It’s the years of training and experience that reveal potential beyond the obvious, while helping clients avoid pitfalls and costly mistakes. And because our profession is regulated, that protection is enshrined in law. That combination — vision and protection — is where the real value of a good architect lies.