Seems to me Sarah fits the bill of continuing that tradition.

1. Not an architect, never has been, never will be
your assumptions are beyond belief, but its probably better that she hasn’t worked as one yet, otherwise she’d be as jaded as her critics here. If the AF is as flawed as you say it is, then isn’t a new direction with someone young, whose in touch with the generational shift a good idea?

2. Has never worked on the ground with real people and real projects – uber out of touch!
YOU speak of being out of touch?!

look i could go on re-buffing, but it is exactly this idea of ” you gotta do your time “, before your taken seriously BS that has allowed architecture and architects to become redundant. fun, outlandish, this does not mean non-intellectual.

architecture needs fresh air, it needs more women, and it definitely does not need sexist commentary even if it is seen as comedic.

I wish sarah all the best, and good luck.

Peter B’s comment “may she swim strongly” is late and unpersuasive.

To put an architect at the head of an architect’s association would be a terrible mistake. One would presumably favour the colleagues and work that complemented one’s own. And only a terribly failed architect would want to abandon their practice for an administrative position. Thank heaven they don’t let architects make those decisions!

Look at all great architects, they’re never heads of anything, except their own offices.

Not a dilution at all – simply someone who’s broader training enables them to provide the kind of advice that helps architects’ and urban designers’ plans make it off the drawing, out of the report, into an implemented reality, that is socially, financially, economically, organisationally, and environmentally sound. Or am I wrong, Architects and Urban Designers (diluted, unchartered and undefined) can do this all by themselves, 100% of the time? Don’t let it emasculate you, consultants are here to help.

I say it’s great that someone with this kind of breadth be at the helm of an architecture-related org of this kind. It’s about time! Enough archiwank! More cross-disciplinary learning!

Benefit of the doubt given! Best of luck to you Sarah.

Sarah Ichioka’s career so far:

• 2007-present: Deputy director, London Festival of Architecture
• 2006-2007: Consultant curator, Tate Modern
• 2004-2007: Research associate, Urban Age Project
• 2006-2007: Urban consultant, Witherford Watson Mann Architects
• 2005-2006: Catalogue & exhibition content coordinator, La Biennale di Venezia
• 2003-2005: Associate, Enterprise LSE Cities Ltd
• 2004-2005: Teaching assistant, Urban Infrastructure & Development Cities Programme, London School of Economics
• 2003: MSc, City Design and Social Science, London School of Economics
• 2001: History BA, Yale

I assume Sarah Ichioka is a bright individual for being appointed director. However, can someone explain what an “urban consultant” is? I swear that the discipline of architecture and urban design is becoming diluted with mediocre talent that need to invent terms such as “urban consultant” in order to qualify themselves.