2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). To celebrate this milestone, RICS have launched two initiatives that highlight the achievements of the surveying profession and demonstrate its importance to society, both in the past and in the future.
The RICS Pride in the Profession initiative showcases the significant and positive impact surveyors have made to society. This is a great opportunity to promote the profession by demonstrating how varied and rewarding a surveying career can be.
You can find out more here: https://ww2.rics.org/uk/news/rics-150th-anniversary/pride-in-the-profession/
An exhibition ‘Shaping the World, Building the Future’ offers a rare opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact and significant contribution that surveyors all over the world have made to society over the last 150 years. The exhibition is now open at RICS headquarters on Parliament Square in London, and will run right throughout 2018. Entry to the exhibition is free of charge and open Monday – Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.
Exhibition highlights include:
- a replica Penfold Post box designed by founding professional of RICS and the organisation’s first Honourable Secretary, John Wornham Penfold. The Penfold Post Box was the inspiration for the cartoon series, Danger Mouse and his sidekick Penfold.
- a multi-volume Dutch world atlas – the Blaeu, Atlas Major – dated 1662 is on show comprising 594 maps, which collectively presented the state of geographic knowledge of the world in the mid-17th century.
- a model of the Great Theodolite used by surveyor, Colonel Sir George Everest around 1830 to measure the height of the highest mountain in the world, which now bears his name (Everest)
- a Lego model of the RICS headquarters (built in 1899) – which took over 150 hours to build and 13,000 miniature bricks to construct – as well as an intricate model of the Olympic Village, are on display, joined by a 3D model of the City of London.
Sean Tompkins, RICS Chief Executive Officer said, “Our 150th year is the ideal time to celebrate and champion the significant value the surveying profession has on our society and the wider economy. This exhibition will do just that, as it tells a fascinating and inspiring story that really highlights the profession’s achievements, thanks to some truly one-off and remarkable exhibits that reveal the vision, innovation and outstanding talent of chartered surveyors across many sectors.”
RICS at 150 not only presents an opportunity to celebrate the past, but to help define the future. The Pledge150 campaign will see RICS partner with property industry charity LandAid to lead the built environment sector in raising £2.25m to help fight youth homelessness: https://ww2.rics.org/uk/news/rics-150th-anniversary/pledge150-pledge-to-end-youth-homelessness/
RICS Headquarters, Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3AD.
RICS video
Video link: https://youtu.be/Adr1kaKFpF4
