Last week, we were delighted to host our first Ethics Debate, diving into the complex and often grey areas of ethics in architecture.

The idea for this debate came from a conversation in our office about the difference between morals—our personal sense of right and wrong—and ethics, the professional rules or expectations we follow. It quickly became clear that while these tensions shape so much of what we do, not a lot is said outwardly about them in our industry.

This event was our attempt to break that barrier—first within our own office and, more widely, across the profession. By creating an intentionally small and informal gathering, we hoped to encourage honest, open debate under Chatham House Rules.

We were fortunate to hear from an incredible panel of speakers, including Nick Walkley from Avison Young, Naomi Rubbra from Footwork, Jay Morton from Bell Phillips, Dieter Kleiner from RCKa, Chris Williamson, RIBA's President elect and Indy Johar from Dark Matter Labs. Their insights set the stage for a rich and challenging discussion around four key themes:

1.Considering Development: Do we always need to build? How do we balance the demand for growth with sustainability and responsibility?

2. Reframing Regeneration: Can regeneration serve communities inclusively, and manage risks of displacement?

3. The Role of Architects in International Work: How do we navigate ethical standards and accountability across borders?

4. Activists or Designers?: Should architects take a neutral stance or embrace activism as part of their professional role?

Each speaker reflected on moments of tension and tricky decisions in their careers, sparking a candid and thought-provoking conversation. Together, we explored how architects can better align their work with societal needs, equity, and sustainability while navigating brief demands, policy frameworks, and financial pressures.

The richness of the discussion has left us inspired to keep it going — watch this space for a write up of the  key insights.

A huge THANK YOU to our speakers and everyone who participated it’s these kinds of discussions that push our profession forward.