AT chats to… Chris Williamson – RIBA presidential candidate and the most optimistic man in architecture – about writing plays, public service and channelling his inner Madmen.

What’s keeping you busy at the moment?
I’m enjoying work and life more than ever. But I guess if you’d have asked me five, ten years ago I would have said exactly the same. I think in architecture there is always so much variety: some projects finishing, some starting, some positioning for. It’s always exciting. It’s a wonderful career. And our tie up with Egis has opened up so many doors overseas to work on exciting city-shaping transport projects utilising our experience.

In my new role at Egis I am also being encouraged to build relationships with other institutes – professional and educational. I’m the current head of the Company of Architects, one of the City of London’s livery companies, which is a great honour. I’m also teaching a unit at the London School of Architecture and I’ve always enjoyed working with younger architects. I mentor students externally, within the practice and also at the Company of Architects. Throughout my career I’ve got as much enjoyment from helping someone I’ve interviewed as a graduate grow and develop as I have from the amazing projects we have worked on.

I also run a Community Arts Centre in my home town in Ilkeston, Derbyshire to champion the talent in the East Midlands. I’ve forged great links with art, film and architecture students at Derby, De Montfort, Trent and Nottingham Universities. There is so much exciting work being done there and the response from the community has been brilliant. I employ an artist-in-residence and the enthusiasm generated is fantastic. I think Ilkeston could be a cultural hub for the East Midlands.

And during lockdown, as you know, I was enthralled by you starting your own novel. It was brilliant and I would love you to continue. It inspired me to start writing a play. It’s called LEGACY – it’s about the rivalry between Leonardo and Michelangelo and their different approaches to their work. Leonardo loves ideas and wants to challenge and change the way everyone looks at the world. Michelangelo is a workaholic, never wants to stop, wants to do everything; to be acknowledged as the best in the world. I’m loving the research, it’s absolutely fascinating. But it’s also – at the same time – about Richard Rogers and Norman Foster. I’ll leave you to suggest which is which. I might have to wait ’til I retire to finish but just about everyday I hear something that I include. Legacy is such a fascinating topic in the world of art and architecture, it consumes so many – but really isn’t that important. 500 years later no one can decide who was the greater artist. Leonardo or Michelangelo? I think probably Raphael. Does it matter? We like to think it does.

Why are you standing as RIBA President?
I would love to restore pride in the profession. It’s strange that at a time when the standard of architecture is so good there is so little interest in the RIBA and how it might help us improve. I also think it’s important to get involved. I was an active student member in the 70s and have served on RIBA Council in various roles under Presidents such as David Rock, Marco Goldschmeid, Paul Hyett, Stephen Hodder, Jane Duncan and Ben Derbyshire. So I know the place, the good work it does and the great potential it has. Having been International Vice President I know how many other institutes around the world would love to work with the RIBA particularly on life long learning – something which I am passionate about.

I think the RIBA should be seen as a qualification with the highest standards across a diverse profession. Then architects around the world – from Shanghai to Seattle – will want to join and we can help solve global challenges such as climate change, urbanisation and exemplary standards. I even devised an ad campaign channelling my inner Madmen.

It’s also very old fashioned but I like the idea of service. There is a huge amount of cynicism but personally I’ve always been grateful to people- whether it’s my hero Tony Benn or even someone like Teresa May – doing what they do on our behalf. Most are well intentioned and do an amazing job. If more architects vote for their president it sends out a great message about an involved, energised, enthusiastic profession which deserves to be listened to. I have an amazing list of names on my nomination form – those at the very top of the profession like Lord Foster to students who I hope trust me to act for them.

What are the big issues?
One former President advised me to paint a bleak picture of the future to scare people into voting but it’s just not me. My friends think I’m a dour northerner (I’m actually from Derbyshire) but I am the most optimistic person I know. My favourite book is The Great Gatsby “He was the single most hopeful person I have ever met and I’m ever likely to meet again.”  But then again he died face down in his swimming pool convinced his dream was about to come true.

However there are big issues not just for the RIBA but also in all the many elections throughout the world this year. Climate change is the big one – how to get the whole world to appreciate the issues and play a part to improve, not to trash, the planet. Andrew Weston and I both won awards at Leicester Poly for Energy Conservation following the mid 70s oil crisis but by the mid 80s interest in sustainability had disappeared and it was hard to convince clients to invest in future performance. Young architects know the challenges and life long learning is essential to ensure everyone is well informed.

Most architects are concerned about pay, either salary or fees. I would outlaw low tenders – discard any bid more than 10% lower than the mean tenders. Then raise the standard and prestige of the profession. Make the letters RIBA count for quality by exemplary life long learning so we can demonstrate we are better educated, better informed and more responsible than non RIBA members. We need to convince government and ARB to buy into this. If we think the profession is under threat by less qualified designers on fiverr or upwork wait ’til AI really gets going.

The RIBA needs to leverage its massive cultural capital, the incredible knowledge base and assets like 66 Portland Place, the Stirling Prize, the awards and the drawings collection. We should collaborate more with other institutes and organisations. We are home to not only some of the world’s best designers but caring, considerate, intelligent professionals. The RIBA is highly regarded abroad. We need to restore the pride at home. I’m not expecting an easy ride, there’s already been some vitriol. We don’t seem to live in an age of great tolerance and nuanced debate. But I’ll try to do as Charles and Ray Eames advocated: “Always be gracious”