Practice
In the built environment, the term ‘practice’ can mean a number of different things depending on the context.
The term 'professional practice' refers to the conduct and work of someone from a particular profession. Practitioners are often professionally-qualified people selling services to clients. This may be, for example, an architect, an engineer, a surveyor and so on. Standards of professional practice may be prescribed by professional bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Building, and so on. Codes of Practice (CoP) may provide guidance about how professionals are expected to perform under particular circumstances.
Certain standards of professional practice may also be expected by law or by contractual obligations, such as a duty of care, duty to warn, reasonable skill and care, and so on.
The term ‘practice’ can also refer to a business that provides specific services to clients, such as an architectural practice. The term ‘chartered practice’ is legally protected and designated by professional institutions such as the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). This means that only architectural practices that are accredited by the RIBA can use the label ‘RIBA Chartered Practice’, use the logo, and include or display certification in proposals, bids or offices.
The term ‘practice’ can also be used in the context of ‘best practice’, ‘good practice’, ‘bad practice’, and so on. This refers to the method or technique by which an activity is carried out and relates to certain standards that have been established in terms of quality, ethics, regulations, benchmarking, and so on.
The term ‘collaborative practice’ refers to the way in which certain activities, procedures and project management are undertaken collaboratively.
Designing Buildings Wiki has a range of articles relating to ‘practice’, including:
- Collaborative practices.
- Practice management.
- Professional conduct.
- Professional practice.
- The architectural profession.
- Types of construction organisation.
- Types of practice.
- What is a Chartered Practice?
The term can also relate to the process of learning, for example, a music school may contain practice rooms.
NB: In British English, 'practise' is a verb whilst 'practice' is a noun. In American English, 'practice' a noun and verb.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.