UK Architects Declare is a network of architectural practices across the UK committed to addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency.
Our Vision for our sector’s part in tackling the emergency is bold: “A built environment planned, constructed and operated within planetary boundaries to deliver environmental justice and to support the flourishing of all life for all time.”
Originated by architects Steve Tompkins and Michael Pawlyn, and launched on 30 May 2019 by the then 17 UK recipients of the Stirling Prize, it quickly attracted hundreds of other architectural practices from across the UK. Over 1,300 practices have now signed our declaration.
Under the wider banner of Built Environment Declares, the declaration has now spread to cover 43 groupings across 28 different countries, with over 7,900 signatories globally, as other built environment disciplines have signed up to variations of the original 11-point declaration. In 2021, UK Architects Declare added a 12th declaration point, to address the urgent need for greater climate justice in the built environment.
Architects Declare is about encouragement, with every signatory organisation expected to self-govern its progress toward achieving the commitments it has made. On the basis that no single architect is currently meeting every part of the radical commitment to change, a firm ‘no public blame and shame’ policy is in place. We are actively building processes to help signatories explore the most challenging aspects of AD's declaration and share their learning on better ways to meet these within a competitive and sensitive market.
AD's Steering Group - volunteers drawn from a mix of small and large signatory practices - is committed to advancing our declaration and promoting activities and dialogue to bring about the change it demands. Supported by AD's part-time manager, the group meets regularly to plan and deliver our programme, anticipate and respond to developments in policy and practice across the built environment sector, and engage key stakeholders and the media. To maximise AD's reach and impact, the Steering Group actively seeks collaborations - exemplified by our work with the RIBA and ACAN - and shares insights with related initiatives within the Built Environment Declares family here in the UK and around the world. Although it is not possible to consult AD's growing number of signatories on all plans and actions, we seek to build ever more effective communications through this site, our newsletter, and our events and surveys. We welcome enquiries and ideas as well as offers of practical support from signatories and potential partners - and financial contributions to help sustain and build our activities (see Support Us).
By signing the AD declaration, practices are demonstrating their shared commitment to its points and principles. The AD Steering Group does not assume that each signatory practice necessarily endorses all additional statements it makes, for example either in support of or questioning particular policies or campaigns. We welcome debate.
We are grateful to all signatories who support AD's work, for example with a financial contribution. See Support Us.
We invite all our signatory practices to support Architects Declare's programme and running costs with an annual contribution of £20 for each registered architect their practice employs (up to a maximum of £2,500). For the vast majority of practices, we hope the suggested rate will be relatively modest, but if the full amount isn't possible, signatories may contribute whatever is affordable. Contributions are entirely voluntary and signatories' status within AD is not affected by their ability to contribute. Our ability to act together is greatly enhanced by whatever signatories can commit to.
To contribute via bank transfer, email [email protected] for details. Or you can contribute via PayPal.
We are grateful to the following signatory practices who have supported Architects Declare with a financial contribution over the past 12 months (this list is updated regularly):
Adrian James Architects * AEW Architects * Allies and Morrison * Allford Hall Monaghan Morris * Assael Architecture * Atkins * BakerBrown * Barr Gazetas * Bee Architects * Borough Architects * Buckley Gray Yeoman * Calum Duncan Architects * Darling Associates * David Chipperfield Architects * Dress for the Weather * dRMM * DSDHA * Duncan Woodburn RIBA * Exploration Architecture * FaulknerBrowns Architects * Fen Studio Architects * Geddes Architects * Haworth Tompkins * Helen Lucas Architects * Hetreed Ross Architects * Howells * Jamie Fobert Architects * Jestico + Whiles * K Bava Architects * Knox Bhavan Architects * LOKI Architecture & Development * Love Architecture * Maccreanor Lavington * MAP Architecture * Marks Barfield Architects * MICA Architects * Mike McMahon Studio * Mole Architects * Neil Pollard Architect * New Makers Bureau * Pamphilon Architects * People & Place Architects * Peter Oborn Associates * Pollard Thomas Edwards * Purcell * Serie Architects * Sheppard Robson * STUDIO/gather * Trevor Black Architects * Urban Fabric Architects * Useful Studio * Working Title Architects
Thank you also to all those who have made donations at Architects Declare events.
You don't need to be a signatory to support Architects Declare - we welcome donations: please contact us at [email protected].
We are grateful to One Click LCA for a donation to mark their 20th anniversary in January 2022.
UK Architects Declare is a registered charity (No. 1207518).
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Signatories automatically receive Architects Declare's newsletter if they have selected that option on signing the declaration. If you are employed in a signatory practice and wish to receive your own copy, please use this form to register.