Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Source:&nbsp ShutterstockThe RIBAs exclusive online membership hub will close after a lack of engagement from chartered members, the institute has said From 21 January, RIBA members will no longer have access to the online forum at architecture.com, the institute announced in an email sent out this week.The Portland Place-based institute said in the announcement that the closure of the online platform had come after close monitoring of the network, which had seen a year-on-year decrease in engagement.The RIBA website describes the Membership Hub as a space for architects to talk, share knowledge, experience and be inspired. It is unclear how many RIBA members used the hub since it was set up during the Covid pandemic.AdvertisementBut, the institute said other forms of networking, including in-person events and digital initiatives, had proven to be more effective in meeting members needs.Former RIBA councillor, honorary secretary and whistleblower Kerr Roberston, told the AJ the move was not a surprise and suggested architects were finding the institute increasingly irrelevant.He told the AJ: Changes to ARBs powers regarding CPD, which will mean architects and their clients will no longer look to those with the letters RIBA after their name for reassurance in this regard, makes it all the more important for the RIBA to improve its offer. Sadly, the closing of the hub suggests members are voting with their feet.At the time of writing, the RIBA is currently recruiting for a 40,000-a-year role for a Membership Engagement Officer in Hong Kong and Asia.From May, RIBA members thought to number 24,000 in the UK in 2022 will lose access to full RIBA services at one 66 Portland Place, which is due to close to allow a 85 million refurbishment and digital upgrade to begin from May 2025.AdvertisementThe Benedetti-designed refurb is expected to take three years and has been partly funded by a 5.5 per cent increase in the RIBA membership, RIBA president Muyiwa Oki admitted to the AJ in September.The RIBA has told members that resources would be allocated elsewhere to provide more impactful support for chartered architects.A RIBA spokesperson, repeating the contents of the email sent to members, told the AJ: In response to the needs of RIBA members, we launched the pilot of the RIBA Member Hub to provide a digital network to support our members as we emerged from the pandemic.While digital engagement through the hub has decreased year on year, other forms of networking, including in-person events and digital initiatives, have proven to be more effective in meeting members needs. To provide more impactful support for our members, we are focusing on tools and initiatives that deliver greater value and reach. This means that we have decided to close the platform to allocate our resources more effectively.2025-01-16Gino Spocchiacomment and share