Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), formed in 1965, is an organisation for national institutes representing architects in Commonwealth countries. The CAA's aims are the advancement of architecture in the Commonwealth and the promotion of acquisition of knowledge of the various arts and sciences connected therewith. The Association promotes cooperation between associations of architects with the objective of ensuring the maximum contribution of architects to the wellbeing of society. The CAA is one of 80 accredited organisations which support the work of the Commonwealth.[1]
Published in 2020, the CAA's Survey of the Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth[2] identified that Commonwealth Countries are forecast to account for nearly 50% of the projected growth in towns and cities over the next 30 years. The survey also revealed a critical lack of capacity in many of the Commonwealth countries which are urbanising most rapidly and are among the most vulnerable to climate change.
Robert Matthew CBE served as the first President from 1965 to 1969.[3] Peter Oborn is the current President of the organization.[4] [5]
The CAA is a registered charity in the UK.[6]
In 2012 the UK's Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) ceased (after many decades) to recognise CAA accreditation of Commonwealth architecture schools, after the CAA refused to grant 'significant' RIBA representation on its accreditation panels to inspect schools first-hand. At the time CAA validated 41 colleges, though only visited 15 of them beforehand.[7]
A five-day International Architectural Exhibition of the Commonwealth Association of Architects was held in Battaramulla, Colombo, Sri Lanka in November 2013. It ran at the same time as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.[8]
The organisation held a two-day international summit in London, in June 2015, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.[9]