The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (18 April 2024) announced nine new RIBA Honorary Fellows. These are awarded every year to non-architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture.
The RIBA Honorary Fellows 2024 are:
Sofie De Caigny, Director Flanders Architecture Institute
As Director of the Flanders Architecture Institute Sofie De Caigny heads an institute that creates opportunity through egalitarian competitions and open calls. Also producing tours and exhibitions, Sofie’s work as director has taken the FAI in an extraordinary and standout direction. Notably, she promoted Flanders architecture through her curation of ‘Maatwerk: Architecture from Flanders and the Netherlands’ at the German Architecture Museum (Frankfurt, 2016) and ‘As Found: Experiments in Preservation’ at De Singel International Arts Center (Antwerp, 2023).
Yvonne Field, Social Entrepreneur, CEO and Founder of The Ubele Initiative
Yvonne Field is an activist who mobilises community groups and encourages community building. Founder and CEO of The Ubele Initiative, a social enterprise promoting Black-led and community-led development her work has revitalised disadvantaged neighbourhoods, providing spaces that inspire and uplift, and has been an unwavering advocate for sustainable and creative approaches. Established in 2014, Ubele produces a significant body of national research including ‘A Place to Call Home’ (2015 and 2024) which highlighted the need for new, more sustainable models of design as well as capacity building support for iconic Black and racially minoritised community spaces across England.
Colin Glen, Project Manager and Structural Engineer
Dedicated to improving the quality of design in the built environment, Colin Glen is a Project Manager and Structural Engineer who is a passionate advocate for affordable housing. As the Chair of Community Land Trust, the first urban community land trust in the UK to provides genuinely affordable homes, he was instrumental in delivering St Clements CLT Homes in Mile End, London. Colin is also the founder of Genesis Projects Incorporated (GPI) Ltd, a project management practice which he has used as a vehicle to empower architects of Black heritage, providing them with a platform and opportunities to contribute to the built environment.
Belinda Irlam-Mowbray, RIBA Director of Commercial Programmes and Delivery
In her 35 year tenure as a member of staff at RIBA,Belinda Irlam-Mowbray has been passionately promoting architecture to a wider audience. During that time, she founded the RIBA Local Initiative Fund, empowering a wide range of grassroots member activities. Belinda was also the driving force behind the touring RIBA Architruck, inviting the public onboard to be inspired by design excellence and the power of architecture.
Debbie Jackson, Local Authority Executive Director
Currently the Executive Director of Regeneration, Economy and Planning at Westminster City Council, Debbie Jacksonwas previously Director of the Built Environment at the Greater London Authority. During her time at the GLA she led the teams that developed the Good Growth Fund and Good Growth by Design policies, both of which highlighted the role the environment can play in enabling positive cross-cutting outcomes for local communities – wellbeing, economic and social – through thoughtful stewardship and collaboration.
Adam Nathaniel Furman, Artist, designer and author
Adam Nathaniel Furman’swork is guided by their love of architecture. Engaging and interactive, their work explores all scales of spatial design and art forms. Their portfolio of work includes video and prints, large public artworks, products, furniture and interiors. Acting as a strong voice for LGBTQIA+ places and stories, Adam Nathaniel co-authored the RIBA Publishing book Queer Spaces in 2022.
Bola Ogunmefun, Structural Engineer and Timber Engineer
Bola Ogunmefun is a Chartered Structural Engineer and Founding Director of Tisserin – a civil and structural engineering consultancy focussed on the use and promotion of low carbon and sustainable materials. Bola has conducted strong outreach participation work both as a mentor and as a part time tutor and lecturer at the Architectural Association, UCL, The Royal College of Arts and the University of the Arts London. An inspiration to many students and young architects, he has devised and delivered several Timber and Hybrid Structures Courses designed to better equip architectural students for designing with natural materials such as timber and straw.
Claire Pollock, Cultural Arts Producer
As Cultural Arts Producer and Partnerships Lead at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Claire Pollockis engaging communities with a fresh and high impact programme. Her work includes weekly architectural drawing and model making workshops with hostel workers and homeless people. Claire also helps to educate and develop the next generation of architects in summer schools for young people. Her work expertly builds support for sustainable communities and educates the wider public.
Jez Sweetland, Project Lead for Bristol Housing Festival and Project 1000
In founding and directing Bristol Housing Festival and Project 1000, Jeremy (Jez) Sweetland is leading in the strategic development of housing provisions in Bristol, creating meaningful change. The Bristol Housing Festival, now in its fifth year, trials and showcasing pioneering housing solutions for the city and beyond. Project 100 seeks to aid Bristol Council’s ambition to build 1000 affordable homes a year by 2024.
RIBA President, Muyiwa Oki said: “It was an immense privilege to chair the RIBA Honours Committee 2024; and to recognise and show appreciation for the remarkable, admirable work of these nine individuals. Truly talented, inspirational and devoted to their professional roles, our 2024 fellows have each managed to effect positive change within architecture and the built environment, from which we all benefit. Their unwavering passion and enthusiasm cannot be underestimated, and it is an honour to formally recognise their success.”
