RSUA invites you to attend “Preparing for Practice” which is a series of talks about different aspects of practicing architecture by experts in their respective fields.
Whilst this event has been designed with Part 3 students in mind, it is also likely to be highly engaging for all architects, providing almost three hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) across a broad range of RIBA core curriculum hours.
This year the event will be held in the Conor Lecture Theatre in Ulster University, Belfast from 2.30pm to 5.15pm on Wednesday 26 August 2026. There will be a half-hour break for refreshments, and the event will close with a panel Q&A from the speakers.
Topics for discussion include:
[CPD: Health, safety and wellbeing]
- How to use AI effectively in practice by James Stirrat-Ellis: James is the co-founder of Build Inc whose aim is to create buildings that are driven from concept to completion autonomously without delays, cost, and complexity through a collaboration between human experts and agentic AI.
[CPD: Design, construction and technology]
- Qualities that deliver success by Mervyn McCall: Mervyn is the former CEO of Mivan Ltd and led the organisation’s overseas expansion during his 30 years tenure. Former Chairman of the Institute of Directors, Mervyn is skilled in negotiation, value engineering, cost management, business development and team building. He is a well-known entrepreneur and has invested over £1million in eight different start-ups in Northern Ireland through his business MNV Consulting.
[CPD: Business, clients and services]
- Articulating the value an architect can bring to a project by Jane Larmour: Jane is a founding director of Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects. Most recently, their project ‘Living in a Landscape’ was nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture/Mies van Rohe Award. Jane is a previous winner of the RIAI and Architecture Future Award which seeks to recognise new talent in Irish architecture and in 2020 she was selected for the AJ 40 under 40.
[CPD: Architecture for Social Purpose]
- Lessons from life in practice by Paul Crowe: Paul is the former Managing Director of TODD Architects. Paul led the practice which has studios in London, Belfast, Dublin and Manchester from 2005 to 2024. He is the founder of PSC Consult which offers strategic advice on development, architecture design and mentoring. He is also involved in the Irish Cities 2070 Group and is a member of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce Council.
[CPD: Business, clients and services]
If you have any queries about this event, please contact Jude Faloon by emailing jude@rsua.org.uk or by phoning 0748 334 6329.
