President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Angela Brady became President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession in September 2011. Angela took over the two-year elected presidency from Ruth Reed.
Angela is the 74th RIBA President, a position previously held by Sir G. Gilbert Scott and Sir Basil Spence among others; she is the second woman President.
Angela Brady is director of Brady Mallalieu Architects, an award-winning architecture practice specialising in contemporary sustainable design. She holds a number of significant posts including Ambassador for the Government Equality Office, advisor to the British Council, visiting critic and external examiner for a number of UK and Irish universities, and enabler for the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
Angela has previously served as a member of influential panels including the CABE English Heritage urban panel; as Design Champion for the London Development Agency Board and as Vice-Chair of the Civic Trust Awards.
Angela Brady, RIBA President said:
‘I am delighted and honoured to become RIBA President; and to represent an extremely talented and resourceful profession whose work benefits the whole of society. Architecture and the spaces around us have a profound affect on the way we feel and act and how we develop as individuals and as a community. During my term in office I intend to work to increase the understanding that the public and politicians have about the value that well designed buildings bring to peoples lives, and to help bring about the necessary political and education changes to enable the delivery of the best possible built environments.
The economic collapse of recent years has been tumultuous for the whole construction industry, with many architects, amongst so many others, facing under-employment and cancelled projects. As part of our recovery from this situation, the construction industry must work even more collaboratively in order to cut waste and produce better affordable sustainable buildings. The Government can support us by ensuring short-term cost-saving decisions are not taken to the detriment of our longer-term health, education and prosperity.
I am particularly delighted to be in office during 2012 – a time when we will be showcasing some of the very best of British architecture and design talent on a world stage at the London Olympics. As former design champion for the London Development Agency Board and daughter of a past Olympic competitor (my Dad competed in 1968 and 1972), I will be honoured to be RIBA President at this time and proud that the UK is delivering fantastic sustainable regeneration that will benefit our country during the Games and for many years to come.’
Angela Brady was born in Dublin and graduated from Bolton St. DIT Dublin School of Architecture after which she won a post graduate scholarship to Denmark. She then worked with Arthur Erickson in Toronto. Qualifying as an architect in 1984, she worked for GMW and SEH before setting up her own private practice with her partner, Robin Mallalieu in 1987, Brady Mallalieu Architects.
Brady Mallalieu Architects specialises in contemporary sustainable design. Their work is well published and award-winning: most recently they have received awards from the RIAI 2010, and the Evening Standard for the Best New Housing Development for their work at Mastmaker Road, Isle of Dogs for Ballymore Properties. They also work on healthcare, education and office projects.
Angela has worked in education for over a decade. She is a past RIBA validation inspector, and was external examiner at Mackintosh, Brighton and Dublin schools of architecture. She is a visiting critic at many universities including London Metropolitan University where she is also involved with a mentoring scheme and returners course to encourage people back into the architecture profession after a career break.
Angela has delivered architectural design workshops in schools for 12 years, inspiring students about architecture and the built environment. She has designed children’s workshops with the RIBA, RIAI, Architecture Centre Network, Hackney Building Exploratory, Open City, and many galleries and museums.
Angela was at the inception of the RIBA’s Architects for Change equality forum 11 years ago and chaired Women In Architecture (2000 – 2005). She curated the world tour of DiverseCity which has been to 34 cities around the world promoting diversity of people in the profession and has set up a European network of women architects.
Angela is an Ambassador for the Government Equality Office and a STEMnet Ambassador.
In 2007, Angela, on behalf of the British Council, coordinated the Near East North Africa (NENA) Women @ Work professional exchange twinning six London-based architects with architects in Palestine. In 2008 she chaired the international NENA seminar in Jordan on behalf of the British Council. Angela has presented a six-part TV series for Channel 4 ‘The Home Show’ showcasing the best architecture and interiors in six cities around Europe. She also broadcast the 65-part ITV series ‘Building the Dream’, designing and building a contemporary sustainable house in Somerset.
She has been elected to the Council of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) 12 times and chairs the RIAI London Forum.
Angela was a finalist in the AJ/Atkins Women of Outstanding Achievement Awards 2007. She received an Irish Post/AIB Bank Award from the Irish President, Mary Robinson, highlighting personal achievement in architecture. She was made a fellow of the RIAI and is a fellow of the RSA.
Angela is married to her partner Robin Mallalieu and they have two teenage children. They have lived in North London for over 25 years. Angela relaxes by painting pictures and making fuse glass art and objects.
