RIAS Honours, Scotland, Edinburgh, 2008, News, Architecture, Award

Scottish Built Environment Honours

Robin Harper MSP + Dame Barbara Kelly CBE : Honorary Fellows

28 Jul 2008

RIAS Honours News

RIAS honours champions of the built environment

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland is delighted to recognise Robin Harper MSP and Dame Barbara Kelly CBE as Honorary Fellows, the highest honour that the Incorporation bestows upon those outwith the architectural profession.

Group, from left to right:

Arnie Dunn, President RIAS
Dame Barbara Kelly DBE DL Hon FRIAS
Robin Harper MSP Hon FRIAS
Neil Baxter, Secretary and Treasurer RIAS

Robin and Barbara join a list of RIAS Honorary Fellows which represents many of Scotland’s greatest cultural, political and business figures.

Arnie Dunn, President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, will present the Fellowships during the RIAS Fellows Summer Reception, which will take place at the Reiach and Hall designed Futures Room at St George’s School for Girls on Monday 28th July at 7pm. Neil Baxter, Secretary and Treasurer of the RIAS, will deliver the Fellowship citations.

Robin Harper MSP said: “I’m absolutely delighted and somewhat overcome to be given the honour of this Fellowship. I have taken the view from almost my first day in Parliament that architecture and design should have the highest of profiles and I’ve done my modest best to work to this end. The Scottish Enlightenment was an exciting time and was marked by some of the finest architecture. We are in the middle of a similar renaissance of culture and political thought in Scotland and architecture must be given its rightful place.”

Arnie Dunn PRIAS commented: “In his speech upon his first election Robin Harper promised to be a critical voice on the environment in the Parliament and he has lobbied tirelessy on this cause ever since. Robin was the parliamentary champion in the formation of the Cross-Party Group on Architecture and the Built Environment. Over the six years of its existence, as Convenor of the group, he has worked continuously to keep the subject of architecture, beyond that of the Parliament itself, on the ministerial agenda. This year Robin delightedly presided over the Cross-Party Group AGM which drew the largest ever attendance from MSPs (nine) of any cross party group in the history of the Parliament – an indication that architecture remains, as it should, a major issue for our parliamentarians – significantly through its championing by Robin Harper MSP.”

Dame Barbara Kelly remarked: “I hold the RIAS in high regard and am very honoured to given this Fellowship. While I was Chairman of the Architects Registration Board I built up an excellent working relationship with the Incorporation and was grateful for their advice and support in the delivery of ARB’s responsibilities.” Dame Barbara added: “I have had a lifelong interest in architecture and believe the Incorporation plays a vital role as the guardian of the profession, maintaining professional standards and ensuring that Scotland can be proud of its architectural inheritance, ancient and modern.”

Arnie Dunn PRIAS pointed out: “There can be few Scots who have had a comparable influence on Scottish life to that of Dame Barbara Kelly. Her involvement in business, in culture and, crucially, in the built environment has demonstrated a passion for Scotland and a profound interest in ensuring that we achieve the highest quality in all aspects of our communities. Her participation in major initiatives affecting the natural environment and sustainability has also been crucially important to Scotland’s current standing as one of the most environmentally sensitive nations on Earth.”

Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Honorary Fellows information from RIAS 280708

Location: Scotland