Architecture Now / News / Angela Brady Elected as Next RIBA President ‘Read our Interview with RIBA President Elect Angela Brady’

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Dublin-born architect and RIAI Council Member Angela Brady has been elected President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, for a two-year term commencing on 1 September 2011. Her election was announced by the RIBA on 26 July. Angela runs Brady Mallalieu Architects in London with her partner Robin Mallalieu, a practice specialising in contemporary sustainable design. Projects in Dublin include the Foyer and St Catherine’s Community Centre on Marrowbow Lane for Dublin City Council.

Angela is a champion for awareness on the contribution architecture makes to society and has been a successful TV presenter, including a six-part TV series for Channel 4, which showcased the best architecture and interiors around Europe. Architecture Ireland speaks to Angela Brady about her passion for architecture and her forthcoming RIBA Presidency.

Interview with Angela Brady;

AI
Architecture seems more than just a profession to you. Your passion and commitment is evident in your public engagement, such as your TV work, and in your educational workshops with young people. Where do you find the inspiration for this passion?

AB
Once you try and it is successful, you draw so much satisfaction from working with young people and engaging with them in a meaningful way. It also inspires other people to do the same. These kids will be the architects, clients and planners of the future. If we can inspire them about sustainable design, then that’s a good thing. I am also passionate about getting architecture to the public in a friendly way; it is important to break down barriers.

AI
You are the second woman RIBA President, following on from Ruth Reid and you have campaigned through the RIBA’s Women in Architecture and through the European network for more diversity in the profession. Will this remain high on the agenda during your Presidency?

AB

Absolutely. We will have an international Women in Architecture network conference on 18 and 19 October at the RIBA and NLA, which will celebrate achievements of women architects worldwide. It is much more common now to see women at the top of the profession, for example my colleagues Gerardine Dunne, who heads up the architectural profession in Ontario, Dublin City Architect Ali Grehan and County Architects Andree Dargan and Marguerite Murphy as well as Selma Harrington, President of ACE.

AI
How have you marked this great personal success? Did the office have a celebration when the news broke?

AB
I was actually delivering a talk on ‘The Future of Cities’ at the Trieste Festival of Architecture when the news broke. Selma Harrington and I were both keynote speakers so we celebrated afterwards with a bottle of bubbly.

AI
Thank you very much for this interview

Posted: 28/07/2010 13:24:09

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