Renzo Piano is not an architect

© Renzo Piano Building Workshop 

Well, according to the UK’s Architects Registration Board (ARB) he isn’t. 

Last week, BDOnline received an email from the ARB asking them to refrain from calling Renzo Piano and Daniel Libeskind an architect, since “they are not registered with the ARB they are not entitled to be described as such”. 

The statement said: “BD referred to two eminent individuals as architects – neither of whom are on the UK register. This is one of a number of peripheral areas, and architects often contact us when they are concerned about the use of the title ‘architect’ in the press although no breach of the legislation in fact occurs.” 

Even though Simon Howard, the board’s Professional Standards Manager, stated that it was “OK to call Piano an Italian architect”, BD’s editor in chief described the request as simply “bonkers”. 

BD has refused to abide and “will continue to refer to Renzo Piano, Daniel Libeskind and Peter Zumthor as architects – registered with ARB or not.” 

We’re curious, what are your thoughts? 

Reference: BDOnline

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