CIRIA
Construction Industry Research & Information Association (CIRIA)
CIRIA is a not for profit company owned by a variety of organisations representing all parts of the supply chains of the modern built environment, covering building and civil engineering as well as transport and utilities infrastructure. CIRIA presents a way by which the many different stakeholders in the modern built environment can work together to identify, codify, publish and promote the emerging best practice in the industry.
The company is funded through membership subscriptions, earnings and external funding. Membership of CIRIA brings many benefits and means that staff at all levels of an organisation can get involved in its activities, from attending conferences and purchasing books, keeping up to date on key issues by networking with industry players, to influencing CIRIA's research programme (see membership information below). CIRIA's work is recognised as being independent, objective and authoritative.
CIRIA's main areas of activity are:
- Research – projects focused on industry needs, as identified and prioritised by CIRIA’s members. Published research is available both electronically and as hard-copy in the form of reports, design guides and training manuals.
- Publications – pragmatic guidance documents, based on CIRIA’s research projects, and produced in a consistent format, to a uniformly high quality. An extensive catalogue of publications is available at discounted cost for members. CIRIA also retails other publishers’ books that are relevant to construction industry, which are also available at discounted prices to members. Details of available publications can be found at http://www.ciriabooks.com
- Training – short-courses to aid industry implementation of selected CIRIA guidance documents. An events guide covering up coming workshops and training sessions is available at http://www.ciria.org.uk/events.htm
- Networks – a series of learning networks to spread awareness and encourage the sharing and adoption of new ideas, techniques and processes. Membership fees apply to some (see below). A full list of the various networks is available at http://www.ciria.org.uk/networks.htm
Networks of relevance to resource efficiency in the construction sector include:
- the Construction Productivity Network’s (CPN), whose mission it is to deliver leading-edge thinking and improvement opportunities to the construction industry. Further information is available at http://www.cpn.org.uk/
- Construction Industry Environmental Forum’s (CIEF) mission is to improve the sustainability and environmental performance of construction, by providing a cross-sector and independent forum for the exchange of new ideas and demonstration of best practice. Further information on the forum can be accessed at http://www.ciria.org/cief/
- buildoffsite - an industry-wide campaigning organisation that promotes greater uptake of offsite techniques by UK construction. The details of the campaign can be found at http://www.buildoffsite.org/
CIRIA Membership and Benefits
CIRIA offers a variety of membership routes, designed to improve the performance of all concerned with construction and the environment.
- Core Membership
CIRIA's Core membership programme is a corporate membership that entitles all employees within the membership organisation to benefit from a wide range of CIRIA's activities, products and services. Membership includes collaborative projects, development and access to best practice guidance, formal networks, facilitation, conferences, workshops and training.
There is a range of membership rates, depending on type and size of company or annual turnover. Annual membership ranges from £2,730 (academic) to in excess of £34,000 +VAT.
2. Construction Productivity Network (CPN)
Annual membership ranges from £120-£825 + VAT.
3. Construction Industry Environmental Forum (CIEF)
Annual membership ranges from £200-£850 +VAT.
4. CIRIA Books Club
CIRIA's Books Club allows you to buy most of CIRIA's publications at half price plus other benefits. Annual membership ranges from £312-£1034 + VAT, discounts available for small companies and higher education organisations.
CIRIA's Reach
- 72 Core Members share in CIRIA's ownership.
- 500 industry organisations belong to one or more of CIRIA's networks, or subscribe regularly to CIRIA's publication output.
- 19.000 industry professionals receive CIRIA Highlights, CIRIA's free fortnightly e-newsletter.
- 33,000 industry professionals receive Evolution, CIRIA's free quarterly magazine.
- 309,000 people visit CIRIA's website, every month.
- 70 projects or task groups are in progress at any one time.
- 100 events and conferences are delivered each year.
- CIRIA produces around 25 new publications each year and has a back catalogue of 600 publications, many of which are still in print and are valid to today's industry needs.