Attending RIBA-accredited CPD seminars is an essential part of any architect’s professional journey, helping practitioners maintain and develop their knowledge as the construction industry continues to evolve.
For architects, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provides an opportunity to stay up to date with changes to legislation, explore new approaches to design and specification, and gain technical knowledge that can be applied to real projects.
With regulations, sustainability requirements and building performance expectations constantly changing, choosing the right CPD seminars is increasingly important. The most valuable sessions provide practical insight into the challenges architects face every day, helping design teams make informed decisions and specify with greater confidence.
As a RIBA CPD Provider, Dales Fabrications delivers free RIBA-accredited CPD seminars covering Solar Shading design considerations, Building Regulations, and Aluminium Eaves design. Developed from almost 50 years of experience supporting architects and specifiers, the sessions provide practical technical guidance that can be applied throughout the design process.
What is a CPD?
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CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It is the process of maintaining, improving and expanding professional knowledge and skills throughout a career.
For architects, CPD is a requirement set by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), ensuring that registered architects continue to develop their understanding of key areas affecting professional practice.
CPD activities can include seminars, workshops, online learning, conferences, technical presentations and other forms of structured learning. The aim is to help architects remain competent, informed and able to respond to changes within the industry.
How Many CPD Hours Do Architects Need?
All UK registered architects are required to complete 35 hours of CPD each year. Of these 35 hours, 20 must cover the RIBA mandatory core curriculum topics, which address key areas including:
- Health, safety and wellbeing.
- Sustainable architecture.
- Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance matters.
- Procurement and contracts management.
- Inclusive design.
The remaining hours allow architects to focus on areas most relevant to their role, projects and professional development goals. A well-chosen CPD seminar can provide valuable technical knowledge while helping architects meet their annual CPD requirements.
Free RIBA CPD Seminars from Dales Fabrications
Dales currently offers three face-to-face RIBA-accredited CPD seminars, each focused on key areas of architectural specification.
Solar Shading: Form, Function & Fire Safety
Solar shading has become an increasingly important consideration as architects look to improve occupant comfort, manage overheating risk and create more energy-efficient buildings. This CPD explores the role of external solar shading/brise-soleil within modern building design, covering:
- The function of Solar Shading
- Solar shading principles & design considerations
- Reducing solar heat gain & managing glare.
- Fire safety considerations.
- Material selection.
RIBA Core Cirriculum Areas:
- Design, construction, & technology
The seminar is particularly relevant for architects working on education, healthcare, commercial and residential projects where occupant wellbeing and overheating mitigation are important design considerations.
Solar Shading Systems: Compliance with Part O, Part L & Part B
Changes to Building Regulations have placed greater emphasis on overheating, energy performance and fire safety. Understanding how these requirements affect specification decisions is now an important part of the architectural design process. This CPD examines how solar shading systems relate to and can contribute towards compliance with:
- Part O – Overheating.
- Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power.
- Part B – Fire Safety.
RIBA Core Cirriculum Areas:
- Design, construction, & technology
- Legal, regulatory and statutory compliance
- Sustainable architecture
The session also explores solar heat gain calculations, sustainable building design and practical considerations when specifying shading systems.
Aluminium Eaves Design: Building Regulations and Other Considerations
The design of roof drainage and eaves systems can have a significant impact on the durability and performance of a building. This technical CPD provides an overview of the key considerations when specifying aluminium eaves systems, including:
- Relevant Building Regulations.
- BS EN standards affecting gutter and eaves design.
- Aluminium as a flexible architectural material.
- Sustainability and closed-loop recycling of aluminium eaves systems.
RIBA Core Cirriculum Areas:
- Design, construction, & technology
For architects involved in roof design and specification, this seminar provides useful guidance on selecting solutions that support long-term building performance.
Why Choose a Dales CPD Seminar?
A CPD is most valuable when the knowledge shared is grounded in real-world experience. Dales has been designing and manufacturing building products for almost five decades, supporting projects across healthcare, education, commercial, residential and public sectors. Our technical expertise extends beyond the seminar itself, with support available through:
- Design assistance and technical advice.
- Project-specific calculations.
- CAD drawings.
- NBS Source specifications.
- BIM models.
This means architects can access practical guidance from individuals who understand the challenges involved in taking a project from concept through to completion.
Flexible CPD Delivery for Architectural Practices
We understand that architectural practices have busy schedules, which is why Dales CPD seminars can be arranged around your team.
Our RIBA-accredited CPDs are typically delivered during lunch, although breakfast and end-of-day sessions can also be arranged. Dales can visit your practice to deliver the seminar, with lunch provided for attendees.
For practices interested in gaining further insight into aluminium fabrications, CPDs can also be combined with a factory visit, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how products are designed, manufactured and finished.
Who Can Attend a RIBA CPD Seminar?
Our CPD sessions are suitable for anyone involved in architectural design, specification and project delivery, including:
- Architects.
- Architectural Technologists.
- Specifiers.
- Design Managers.
- Building Consultants.
Whether you are working on healthcare, education, residential, commercial or mixed-use developments, our RIBA-accredited CPD seminars provide technical knowledge to support better specification decisions.
Book a Free RIBA Approved CPD Seminar
Keeping knowledge current is an important part of architectural practice. As regulations develop and projects become increasingly complex, access to reliable technical information helps architects make more informed decisions.
Dales’ free RIBA-accredited CPD seminars provide practical guidance on Solar Shading, Building Regulations, and Aluminium Eaves specification, delivered by specialists with decades of experience supporting the construction industry.
To arrange a CPD seminar at your practice or discuss which session would be most relevant for your team, please email cpd@dales-eaves.co.uk or book online.
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