15/01/2020
Last year ask an architect raised £12,000 to support clinical trials and cancer research in Northern Ireland whilst helping to increase awareness of the valuable role of architects to society.
In 2020 we aim to further build on that success by dedicating even more energy and effort, targeting our media engagement (press/broadcast/digital) to generate interest and drive bookings, and we hope to use our relationship with the Irish News to maximise the initiative. We believe that ask an architect offers an excellent platform for architects to engage with the public about their work and the value that it delivers.
The concept is simple. A chartered architect offers an hour-long consultation to a member of the public in return for a donation of £40 to charity.
As with previous years, we are asking practices to commit to raising at least £120 for the charity. All donations go to the Friends of the Cancer Centre through its partnership with the Jill Todd Trust. Ideally this would be achieved by securing at least three ask an architect bookings (at £40 per booking) but failing that by fundraising in some other way or by making a donation to make up any shortfall. Last year it was clear that when practices actively promoted ask an architect achieving three bookings was readily attainable.
Not just for domestic clients
As this is a public facing initiative there is often a presumption that it is only relevant to potential domestic clients. However, we believe that it can also provide a useful platform for engaging with the full breadth of clients to highlight the services that you offer. Often connections through commercial, community or public work will have other projects that they are considering in a work, personal or voluntary capacity.
In for 2020?
If your practice did not participate in ask an architect in 2019 and you would like to register for 2020 please register online here.
If your practice did participate in ask an architect in 2019 and you want to do so again just contact Julia Leaker on julia@rsua.org.uk or 028 9032 3760. If you wish to update your key contact, or how your practice is described or provide more recent photographs, just let us know.
Marathon
In 2019 RSUA entered ten ask an architect relay teams in the Belfast marathon. It provided a great opportunity to raise awareness of ask an architect and the teams did an amazing job with fundraising. We intend to enter teams again this year and hope to get an equally good response. The 2020 Belfast Marathon is on Sunday 3rd May. If you would like to take part please contact Julia Leaker on julia@rsua.org.uk or 028 9032 3760.
Our thanks to 2019 sponsors:
