Case 13: Searching for an architect should mean finding an architect

RSUA is committed to ensuring that when a member of the public searches for an architect in Northern Ireland, search engines direct them to qualified architects rather than to individuals or businesses that may claim to be architects but are not.

Our aim is to protect the public and maintain the good reputation of architects.

You can read more about this work here.

Case 13 – B. O’Reilly Architecture

In May 2025, RSUA raised its concerns with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) that Armagh-based firm B. O’Reilly Architecture (a.k.a. BM Architecture) was misusing the title “architect”.

Following ARB intervention, the following changes were made with the welcome cooperation of the business:

1. Previously, the business referred to itself as “Architects” on its “About Us” page. This is no longer the case.
2. This word, while only visible once on the website, was evidenced three times in its metadata.¹ This is no longer the case.
3. Previously, the business’ only registered officer on Companies House was designated there as an “Architect”. This is no longer the case.

Screenshots – before and after

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After:

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Ongoing Work – role for members

RSUA has eight other cases live with ARB currently. We will report on these in due course.

If you become aware of any instances of title misuse, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk

1. Metadata keywords are tags in a webpage’s code that help search engines understand its topic. Adding the word “Architects” could allow a business to appear higher in search results when people search for that term. ↩︎