Alan Jones (architect)

Born in September 1964,{{cite web |title=Alan Jones Architects Limited |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/NI044325/officers |website=Companies House |access-date=21 May 2020}} Jones was educated at the state-funded D H Christie Memorial Primary School (part of The Honourable The Irish Society group of schools), at two state-funded grammar schools, Coleraine Academical Institution and Ballymena Academy, and then, supported by an education grant, at Queen's University Belfast.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

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 Queen's University Belfast.{{Cite web |last=Jessel |first=Ella |date=2019-09-25 |title=Alan Jones: the RIBA's promo president |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/alan-jones-the-ribas-promo-president |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=The Architects’ Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Alan Jones |url=https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/alan-jones |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Queen's University Belfast |language=en-GB}}

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),{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} 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),{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} and the £4.2M Alley Arts and Conference Centre in Strabane,{{cite web |title=Alley Arts & Conference Centre |url=https://glennhowells.co.uk/project/alley-arts-conference-centre/ |website=Glenn Howells |access-date=9 January 2020}} a joint project by Glenn Howells Architects, Birmingham and AJA (which gained an RSUA award and was shortlisted for a RIBA award).{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Jones / AJA work has featured in publications including RIBA Journal, Architects' Journal, Domus (Milan), Wallpaper*, Architecture Today, Blueprint, Vision (Shanghai), Hinge (Hong Kong), and the Sunday Times.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} The Daily Telegraph listed Jones as one of the UK's "top notch architects".{{cite news|last=Pertusini|first=Angela|title=Architects: We've got designs on your home|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3360510/Architects-Weve-got-designs-on-your-home.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027090054/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3360510/Architects-Weve-got-designs-on-your-home.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2010|access-date=22 February 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 February 2008}} 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).{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Jones also acts as an expert witness on design matters.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

From 2008 to 2016, as director of education (architecture), Jones jointly managed and led the subject area of architecture at Queen's University.{{cite news|last=Sell|first=Christopher|title=400 jobs lost in Northern Ireland architects' practices|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/400-jobs-lost-in-northern-ireland-architects-practices/1996232.article|access-date=22 February 2013|newspaper=Architects' Journal|date=31 March 2009|quote=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.'}} He was appointed a professor in 2019.{{cite web|title=Academic Staff: Mr Alan Jones |url=https://pure.qub.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/alan-jones(ede16802-a250-4c07-b87b-07cbdee3f44e).html}} 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. He was a member of the RIBA Education Committee (2001–2012) and the Architects' Council of Europe Education Working Group (2003–2009).{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} He was a member of the national RIBA Research and Innovation Group and Research Grants Committee from 2010 to 2017.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} He was a member of the advisory panel, along with Robin Nicholson and others, for the 2015–2017 AHRC-funded research project "The Value of Architecture and Architects".{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Jones has been a member of the governing council and trustee of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects from 1998 to 2006 and from 2007.{{cite web |title=Royal Society of Ulster Architects |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/NI000069/officers |website=Companies House |access-date=21 May 2020}} He has been an invited judge for RIBA, RSUA and Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland awards, including the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} In May 2012 he became RSUA president for 2012 to 2014. 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.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} He has advised other schools of architecture, and been an external examiner at parts 1 and 2 (Manchester, Dundee and University of Nottingham).{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} In 2018 he was invited to join the executive committee of the Commonwealth Association of Architects, to guide work on equivalence and transferability of professional qualifications across numerous countries.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

Jones was elected in a national vote to the RIBA Council in 2015.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} In September 2015 he received unanimous approval of the council to be vice-president of education for 2015–2017 and again for 2017–2018.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} In 2016 Jones was a runner-up in the election for president of the RIBA, with 44% of the final vote.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

In August 2018 he was elected{{cite news |last1=Topping |first1=Alexandra |title=New RIBA president elected amid row over silencing of black architect |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/aug/09/new-riba-president-elected-amid-row-over-silencing-of-black-architect |access-date=15 September 2021 |work=Guardian |date=9 August 2018}} as president

quote=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. of the 45,000-member Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), with 51.66% of the votes on an 18.97% election turnout, taking office for an expected two-year term from 1 September 2019.

While president, Jones appeared on BBC Two's Christmas University Challenge in December 2020, answering one question – incorrectly – for the Queen's, Belfast team.{{cite news |title=Astragal: Alan Jones university challenged |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/astragal-alan-jones-university-challenged |access-date=22 July 2021 |work=Architects' Journal |date=21 January 2021}}

He completed his two-year term on 31 August 2021, and summed up the time:

:"Across my two years as RIBA President, by working closely with Council, Board, staff and the wider membership, we have achieved a great deal....We decided to reorientate the profession, to demonstrate our relevance, our value, and present ourselves as part of the solution to some of society’s toughest challenges. We’ve made a solid start and I am particularly proud of the President’s Fact-Finding Mission,{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Alan |title= Alan Jones's Fact-Finding Mission report is the guiding star toward 2034, and beyond.|url=https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/the-high-road-to-2034#available-resources |access-date=17 September 2021 |work= Architecture.com |date=31 August 2021}} a set of long-term goals and short-term plans, that form the ‘Guiding Star’ of RIBA’s 2034 Masterplan to keep the profession and Institute on track."{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Alan |title=RIBA President, Alan Jones, reflects on his Presidency as he prepares to pass on the baton. |url=https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/continuing-the-upward-trajectory-alan-jones |access-date=17 September 2021 |work= Architecture.com |date=31 August 2021}}

{{Very long section|date=April 2025|nosplit=y}}

{{Criticism section|date=April 2025}}

Architects' Journal reported that in early 2020, complaints by Alan Jones about CEO Alan Vallance were lodged, weeks before content from a serious incident report was leaked to the press. The report was an initial submission of matters raised by the RIBA Executive prior to an investigation.

On 31 March 2020, Jones announced that he was stepping back temporarily from his leadership role, saying that "a matter had arisen" in his personal life.{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |last2=Waite |first2=Richard |title=Alan Jones stands down as RIBA president |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/10046753.article |access-date=31 March 2020 |work=Architects' Journal |date=31 March 2020}} The following day, the RIBA said it had reported Jones to the Charity Commission over an alleged "serious incident."{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |last2=Hurst |first2=Will |title=RIBA reports its president to Charity Commission over 'serious incident' |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/10046771.article |access-date=1 April 2020 |work=Architects' Journal |date=1 April 2020}} Architects' Journal talked of alleged misuse of RIBA funds to further an extramarital affair,{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |title=RIBA investigating president over possible misuse of funds |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/10046789.article |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=Architects' Journal |date=6 April 2020}} amid newspaper reports that "a woman claiming to be his mistress would reveal embarrassing details of an affair"{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=David |title=Alan Jones: Architects' leader 'quits to avoid affair revelations' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/alan-jones-architects-leader-quits-to-avoid-affair-revelations-j7klq3cw3 |access-date=8 April 2020 |work=The Times |date=4 April 2020}}{{cite news |title=QUB professor steps aside from top architectural role over affair claim |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/qub-professor-steps-aside-from-top-architectural-role-over-affair-claim-39104658.html |access-date=8 April 2020 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=6 April 2020}} and police investigations in Northern Ireland.{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |title=Police investigate Alan Jones incident amid blackmail fears |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/10046981.article |access-date=30 April 2020 |work=Architects' Journal |date=30 April 2020}} The Times said Jones had also been accused of helping his mistress find a job.{{cite news |last1=Morrison |first1=Jonathan |title=Riba chief Alan Jones 'helped mistress to find new job' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/riba-chief-alan-jones-helped-mistress-to-find-new-job-xddvb008h |access-date=21 May 2020 |work=The Times |date=11 May 2020}} Architects' Journal columnist Paul Finch observed the RIBA's "secretariat goes into overdrive, dragging in the Charities Commission [sic]...", and downplayed the matter ("The kerfuffle at Portland Place is a presidential-sized fuss over nothing"),{{cite news |last1=Finch |first1=Paul |title=The RIBA President is no Wolf of Wall Street |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/opinion/the-riba-president-is-no-wolf-of-wall-street/10047064.article |access-date=21 May 2020 |work=Architects' Journal |date=13 May 2020}} and Archinect expected Jones would serve out his full two-year term.{{cite news |last1=Pacheco |first1=Antonio |title=RIBA president accused of using position to find job for girlfriend |url=https://archinect.com/news/article/150197134/riba-president-accused-of-using-position-to-find-job-for-girlfriend |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=Archinect |date=11 May 2020}} On 12 June, Jones gave a public explanation of why he had stepped back, and said he would resume office on 15 June 2020.{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=RIBA president to resume role after revealing reason why he stepped down |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/riba-president-to-resume-role-after-revealing-reason-why-he-stepped-down/5106465.article |access-date=12 June 2020 |work=Building |date=12 June 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Topping |first1=Alexandra |title=RIBA president Alan Jones reinstated after admitting to affair |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/jun/16/riba-president-alan-jones-reinstated-after-admitting-to-affair |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=Guardian |date=16 June 2020}}

However, this episode continued to affect Jones's presidency. On 19 July 2021, just over a month before Jones' presidential term was due to end, Architects' Journal reported that he had resigned as a RIBA board member and trustee due to an ongoing dispute with RIBA's chief executive, Alan Vallance. Jones opposed board moves to renew Vallance's five-year contract from September 2021, having made "serious allegations" about Vallance's conduct in February 2020.{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |title=RIBA president quits board as war breaks out with chief executive |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/riba-president-quits-board-as-war-breaks-out-with-chief-executive |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=Architects' Journal |date=19 July 2021}} RIBA insiders say their difference of opinion relates to different visions for the RIBA, with Jones objecting to the size of Vallance's salary and questioning if a cultural institute should be run by an accountant.{{cite news |last1=Hopkirk |first1=Elizabeth |title=RIBA in turmoil as Alan Jones steps down as trustee |url=https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/riba-in-turmoil-as-alan-jones-steps-down-again/5112878.article |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=Building Design |date=19 July 2021}} Senior figures demanded the body 'come clean' about the "War of the Alans"{{cite news |last1=Hopkirk |first1=Elizabeth |title=Jones 'raised concerns about Vallance shortly before his affair was leaked' – claim |url=https://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/jones-raised-concerns-about-vallance-shortly-before-his-affair-was-leaked-claim/5112884.article |access-date=21 July 2021 |work=Building Design |date=20 July 2021}} saying "The RIBA is becoming an increasingly secretive organisation. ... Confidentiality has been weaponised and woe betide anyone who wants to ask difficult questions...."{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |title=RIBA crisis: architects demand transparency from 'secretive' institute |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/riba-crisis-architects-demand-transparency-from-secretive-institute |access-date=21 July 2021 |work=Architects' Journal |date=21 July 2021}}

On 27 July 2021, Architects' Journal reported that, prior to his reinstatement as president in June 2020, Jones had been pressed into several "undertakings". In a memo to the board, Jones explained: "These undertakings prevented me from asking questions, calling people out and raising complaints. In other circles this may well be referred to as a 'gagging order'," continuing: "As a lone individual..., I felt intimidated by this ongoing behaviour." The RIBA disputed the 'gagging order' interpretation and denied attempting to silence Jones. The AJ reported that, during 15 months, hundreds of pages of complaints had been made, prompting six independent investigations, of which two were still continuing. A Council Board Advisory Group had been established, with a QC investigating complaints made against Alan Vallance by Jones and by former board honorary secretary Kerr Robertson,{{efn|Also a RIBA council member, Kerr Robertson, was removed as a councillor in October 2022. Described by Architects' Journal as a whistleblower, Robertson had criticised RIBA's board about issues including alleged conflicts of interest, institutional bullying, trustee interference in RIBA election rules changes, and a data breach.{{cite news |last1=Ing |first1=Will |title=RIBA Council ousts 'whistleblower' councillor |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/riba-council-ousts-whistleblower-councillor |access-date=26 October 2022 |work=Architects' Journal |date=26 October 2022}}}} with the investigation expected to conclude in September 2021.{{cite news |last1=Jessel |first1=Ella |title=EXCLUSIVE Alan Jones: 'I was gagged and intimidated by RIBA Board' |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/exclusive-alan-jones-i-was-gagged-and-intimidated-by-riba-board |access-date=27 July 2021 |work=Architects' Journal |date=27 July 2021}} Regarding the circumstances that preceded the RIBA contacting the Charity Commission, Robertson said: "Had key information not been withheld from me, I would never have agreed to submit the report to the Charity Commission – and therefore there would have been nothing to leak. Despite all this spin, there is no escaping the fact that five or six complaints first raised beforehand have still not been investigated well over a year later."

After completing his two-year tenure as RIBA president, Jones talked to Architects' Journal in September 2021, revealing that he had come under pressure from senior staff to resign.{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |title=Alan Jones: 'How I've been treated has caused me and others distress' |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/alan-jones-how-ive-been-treated-has-caused-me-and-others-distress |access-date=10 September 2021 |work=Architects' Journal |date=10 September 2021}} After taking his leave of absence, he said "there was no reason why the RIBA could not have cleared this matter up quickly", continuing:

:"While it was clear within days all of the serious allegations were either untrue or exaggerated, the executive nevertheless continued to press for my immediate resignation. Straight after the board voted to reject those calls and await the outcome of the investigation, all of this was leaked to the press. ... I wasn’t helped by my apology being scripted by RIBA advisers to match the gravity of the leaked exaggerated information."

RIBA's treatment of him had caused him and others distress, Jones said, hoping that the individuals responsible "will be duly held to account". He also felt that "in terms of [RIBA's] transparency and accountability, there is room for improvement. ... While every institution needs to respect confidentiality and comply with GDPR, these cannot be used as reasons to prevent openness about the running of an organisation". He also confirmed "Over the last 30 years, I've given my all to the RIBA and I will of course continue to give this incredible institute my full support."

For his contributions to practice, education, and the profession, Jones was appointed a Fellow of the RIBA in 2017.RIBA Fellows 2017 https://www.architecture.com/-/media/files/riba-fellow-membership/riba_fellows-2017-hi-res.pdf In March 2016 he also accepted an Honorary FellowshipHonorary Fellows (Hon.FRIAS) of the RIAS https://www.rias.org.uk/members/honorary-fellows/ from the RIAS.[https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/clippings/for-services-to-architectural-education-alan-jones-is-awarded-the "Alan Jones is awarded the Incorporation's Honorary Fellowship..."]. Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved: 8 October 2021. Of the projects he was worked on, seven have received RIBA awards and two were shortlisted for the Stirling Prize.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} In 2019 he was bestowed with honorary membership of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and in 2021 with honorary membership of the American Institute of Architects.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

• Toward an architecture: Ulster – Building our own authenticity, with David Brett, Black Square Books, 2008.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
• Defining Contemporary Professionalism, co-edited with Rob Hyde, RIBA Publishing, September 2019.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

• Studying Architecture Well – "a guide to help current and would-be students of architecture in the UK both to do well during their studies and, importantly, to stay well as they cope with the opportunities, stresses and strains of learning", Jenny Russell, Matt Thompson with Alan Jones, RIBA, 2021.[https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/support-guides-for-students-and-early-career-architects New Guides to support students and early-career architects]. RIBA. Retrieved: 17 September 2021
• Practise Architecture Well – "a free guide is to help freshly qualified and early-career architects both to do well during their career and, importantly, to stay well as they cope with the stresses and strains of being a member of the profession", Jenny Russell, Matt Thompson with Alan Jones, RIBA 2021.

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{{succession box | before=Norman Hutchinson | title=RSUA President | years=2012–2014| after=R. Martin Hare}}

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• [http://www.jonesarchitects.com Alan Jones Architects ]
• [http://www.successthrougharchitecture.com Success Through Architecture]

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Category:1964 births

Category:Scholars and academics from Derry (city)

Category:People educated at Ballymena Academy

Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast

Category:Architects from County Londonderry

Category:Living people

Category:Presidents of the Royal Institute of British Architects

Category:Artists from Derry (city)

Category:People educated at Coleraine Academical Institution