Alan Jones (architect)

Alan Montgomery Jones FRIBA FRSA RIAS (born September 1964) is a chartered architect and academic based in Northern Ireland, UK. He studied architecture at Queen's University Belfast, and after practising in London returned to Northern Ireland in 1998 to practise and to teach at Queen's University. He jointly led architecture at Queen's (2008–16) and is currently professor of architecture (education and practice) and director of professional practice in its School of Natural and Built Environment.

In August 2018 he was elected as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), assuming office on 1 September 2019. Between 31 March and 15 June 2020, he stood down as president over a matter in his private life. This had required the RIBA to report a 'serious incident' to the Charity Commission amid reports of an extramarital affair and alleged blackmail.

Education

Born in September 1964,[1] Jones was educated at the state-funded D H Christie Memorial Primary School (part of The Honorable The Irish Society group of schools), at two state-funded secondary level schools, Coleraine Academical Institution and Ballymena Academy, and then, courtesy of an education grant, at Queen's University Belfast.

Practice

Having previously worked with London-based Michael Hopkins and Partners for seven years and as an associate with David Morley Architects, Jones returned to Northern Ireland in 1998 to take up private practice as founder and principal of Alan Jones Architects (AJA) and to teach in the School of Architecture at Queens University Belfast.

At AJA, Jones has realised numerous projects, including the stainless steel-clad farmhouse extension at Cranfield (RIBA award), Straidhavern School, his family home in Randalstown (which received the RSUA design award for residential projects, a RIBA award, and was shortlisted for the RIBA Manser Medal), an office for a coffee importer in Belfast (which received a special mention in the Architectural Association of Ireland awards – the first Northern Ireland project to do so for seven years), and the £4.2M Alley Arts and Conference Centre in Strabane,[2] a joint project by Glenn Howells Architects, Birmingham and AJA (which gained an RSUA award and was shortlisted for a RIBA award).

The work of Jones / AJA has been featured in publications including RIBA Journal, Architects' Journal, Domus (Milan), Wallpaper*, Architecture Today, Blueprint, Vision (Shanghai), Hinge (Hong Kong), and the Sunday Times. The Daily Telegraph listed Jones as one of the UK's "top notch architects".[3] His work has also been included in technical publications, including Birkhauser's Fibre Cement: Technology and Design (2006) and the RIBA Guide to Architectural Insitu Concrete (2007).

Jones also acts as an expert witness on design matters.

Education and research

From 2008 to 2016, as director of education (architecture), Jones jointly managed and led architecture at Queen's University.[4] He was appointed a professor in 2019.[5] He has been invited to be a design critic at the schools of architecture in Delft, Robert Gordon University (then Institute), Cambridge, North London, Bath, and Dublin Institute of Technology and University College Dublin.[5] He was a member of the RIBA Education Committee (2001–2012) and the Architects' Council of Europe Education Working Group (2003–2009). He was a member of the national RIBA Research and Innovation Group and Research Grants Committee for 2010–17. Through over 100 role models, his "Success through Architecture" project documents the diversity of mainstream practice and the "extended profession" within other areas of business and culture. He was a member of the advisory panel, along with Robin Nicholson and others, for the 2015–17 AHRC-funded research project "The Value of Architecture and Architects".

Professional governance roles

Jones has been a member of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects council from 1998 to 2006 and from 2007, and a director of RSUA from 2007 May 2016 and from May 2017.[6] He has been an invited judge for RIBA, RSUA and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland awards, including the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award. In May 2012 he became RSUA president for 2012–14. From 2008 to 2016, Jones led architectural education at Queen's University from mid to high rankings in The Guardian league table and first in the 2018 table for added value. He has advised other schools of architecture, and been an external examiner at parts 1 and 2 (Manchester, Dundee and University of Nottingham). In 2018 he was invited to join the executive committee of the Commonwealth Association of Architects, to guide equivalence and transferability of professional qualifications across numerous countries.

Jones was elected in a national vote to the RIBA Council in 2015. In September 2015 he received unanimous approval of the council to be vice-president of Education for 2015–17 and again for 2017–18. In 2016 Jones was a runner-up in the election for president of the RIBA, with 44% of the final vote.

RIBA president

In August 2018 he was elected[7] as president[8] of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), taking office on 1 September 2019. Following Jones' election, Ian Greer, vice-chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, said: "This is a tremendous honour for Alan, Queen’s University Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is a strong endorsement of the important role he plays within the industry. I am proud to see Alan’s expertise recognised and wish him the very best in his exciting new role as RIBA President."[9]

On 31 March 2020, he announced he was standing down temporarily, saying "a matter had arisen" in his personal life.[10] The following day, the RIBA said it had reported Jones to the Charity Commission over an alleged "serious incident,"[11] subsequently described by Architects' Journal as alleged misuse of RIBA funds to further an extramarital affair,[12] while the Belfast Telegraph (repeating a Times report)[13] said he had stepped down "amid fears a woman claiming to be his mistress would reveal embarrassing details of an affair".[14] Blackmail allegations were the subject of investigations by police in Northern Ireland.[15] On 11 May 2020, The Times reported Jones had been accused of helping his mistress find a job.[16] One Architects' Journal columnist, Paul Finch, downplayed the matter ("The kerfuffle at Portland Place is a presidential-sized fuss over nothing");[17] another, Catherine Slessor, said "the Jones Affair, with its allegations involving a female architect 15 years his junior and possible misuse of RIBA resources, has the makings of an imbroglio".[18] Archinect reported "it is expected that Jones will serve out his full two year term, which is set to end in August 2021."[19] On 12 June, Jones issued a public statement apologising for his conduct, giving an account of the reasons why he had had stood down, and announcing he would be resuming office on 15 June 2020.[20]

Recognition

For his contributions to practice, education, and the profession, Jones was appointed a Fellow of the RIBA in 2017.[21] In March 2016 he also accepted an Honorary Fellowship[22] from the RIAS.[23] Of the projects he was worked on, seven have received RIBA awards and two were shortlisted for the Stirling Prize.

Publications
  • "Defining Contemporary Professionalism", co-edited with Rob Hyde, RIBA Publishing, September 2019.
  • "Studying Architecture Well – A student guide to enhancing mental fitness, health & wellbeing and outcome when studying architecture in the UK", RIBA, expected September 2019.
  • "Toward an architecture: Ulster – Building our own authenticity", with David Brett, Black Square Books, 2008.

References
  1. "Jones, Alan Montgomery". Companies House. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  2. "Alley Arts & Conference Centre". Glenn Howells. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  3. Pertusini, Angela (23 February 2008). "Architects: We've got designs on your home". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  4. Sell, Christopher (31 March 2009). "400 jobs lost in Northern Ireland architects' practices". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 22 February 2013. Alan Jones, of Belfast-based Alan Jones Architects, said: 'My practice has seen a drop in inquiries and so I've moved into teaching. But if it's bad here then its worse in Dublin. I've heard horror stories of more than half of architects being laid off. We've had lots of CVs coming from down south.'
  5. "Academic Staff: Mr Alan Jones".
  6. "Jones, Alan Montgomery". Companies House. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  7. "New RIBA President elected...." The Guardian, London, 9 August 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/aug/09/new-riba-president-elected-amid-row-over-silencing-of-black-architect
  8. " The role of RIBA President was established in 1835 and is the highest elected position in UK architecture. The President chairs RIBA's Council, the panel of charity trustees who are ultimately responsible for the conduct and development of the Institute." https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/alan-jones-elected-riba-president-2019-21
  9. "Perspective: The Journal of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, September / October 2018 – Volume 27. No.5, page 17.
  10. Hurst, Will; Waite, Richard (31 March 2020). "Alan Jones stands down as RIBA president". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. Waite, Richard; Hurst, Will (1 April 2020). "RIBA reports its president to Charity Commission over 'serious incident'". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  12. Hurst, Will (6 April 2020). "RIBA investigating president over possible misuse of funds". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  13. Brown, David (4 April 2020). "Alan Jones: Architects' leader 'quits to avoid affair revelations'". The Times. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  14. "QUB professor steps aside from top architectural role over affair claim". Belfast Telegraph. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  15. Hurst, Will (30 April 2020). "Police investigate Alan Jones incident amid blackmail fears". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  16. Morrison, Jonathan (11 May 2020). "Riba chief Alan Jones 'helped mistress to find new job'". The Times. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  17. Finch, Paul (13 May 2020). "The RIBA President is no Wolf of Wall Street". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  18. Slessor, Catherine (20 May 2020). "The RIBA desperately needs a credible figurehead". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  19. Pacheco, Antonio (11 May 2020). "RIBA president accused of using position to find job for girlfriend". Archinect. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  20. Lowe, Tom (12 June 2020). "RIBA president to resume role after revealing reason why he stepped down". Building. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  21. RIBA Fellows 2017 https://www.architecture.com/-/media/files/riba-fellow-membership/riba_fellows-2017-hi-res.pdf
  22. Honorary Fellows (Hon.FRIAS) of the RIAS https://www.rias.org.uk/members/honorary-fellows/
  23. "Alan Jones is awarded the Incorporation's Honorary Fellowship..." Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Quarterly, Spring 2016. https://www.rias.org.uk/files/2016/192/FEC0EE5E-9A36-B65A-5330-95558C5BFF6B.pdf
Preceded by
Norman Hutchinson		 RSUA President
2012–2014		 Succeeded by
R. Martin Hare
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