Royal Society of Ulster Architects

The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) is the professional body for registered architects in Northern Ireland.[1] It was founded in 1901. Chartered Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) members in Northern Ireland are automatically members of the RSUA. RSUA members use the suffix "RSUA" and may also use "RIBA".[citation needed] According to its website it has "over 1000 members".[2]

Organisation and activities

The supreme governing body of the society is its council, which chaired by the president of the RSUA. The society members are entitled to nominate fellow members to the council and to vote in elections.[citation needed]

The society operates a bookshop at 2 Mount Charles in Belfast. This bookshop is the Northern Ireland regional branch of the RIBA bookshop.[citation needed]

It is involved in architectural education and awards scholarships to Northern Ireland-based students of architecture. The society also awards the annual RSUA Silver Medal and RSUA Bronze Medal, which are similar to the RIBA President's Medals Students Awards.[citation needed]

PLACE

Main article: PLACE Architecture & Built Environment Centre

PLACE Architecture & Built Environment Centre was a part of the RSUA from 2004 until 2019. It was formed in 2004 by the society in partnership with Belfast City Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.[3] It closed in August 2019.[4]

Perspective magazine

The society issues a journal, Perspective, on a bi-monthly basis. In effect this publication is not so much a journal as it is a magazine; It features reviews of recently completed buildings in Northern Ireland, together with book reviews and local arts updates.[5][6] The magazine is based in Belfast.[7] Its content is controlled by an editorial committee dominated by members of the RSUA Council, the central governing body of the society. It has been published by the Ulster Tatler Group since 2001.[5]

RSUA Design Awards

The RSUA Design Awards, which are architectural, artistic and cultural awards, are given annually to recognise the work of architects in Northern Ireland. The awards mainly focus on architecture, and are separate from the RIBA Awards. Primary among these awards is the Liam MacCormick Prize, awarded to the building judged to be best overall in the relevant year.[citation needed] The RSUA awards are adjudicated by a panel of independent judges, including experts from outside Northern Ireland; For example Dublin City Architect Jim Barrett held the chair in 2006.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "RSUA: The Purpose". rsua.org.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  2. ^ "About Us". rsua.org.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Belfast City Council Development Committee Minutes – 15 June 2011". belfastcity.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011.
  4. ^ "PLACE - About". placeni.org. Archived from the original on 3 January 2020. PLACE closed on 31 August 2019
  5. ^ a b "The Perspective Magazine". Magvault. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Perspective". rsua.org.uk. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  7. ^ Michael McKernan; Owen McQuade (1 March 2004). Northern Ireland Yearbook. Bmf Business Services. p. 459. ISBN 978-0-9537672-9-8. Retrieved 27 June 2016.