Construction Industry Research & Information Association

http://www.ciria.org/

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.

In addition to a published output (in the form of design guides, training manuals, etc in both hard copy and electronic format), CIRIA also provides training seminars and workshops based on the results of its project work.

  • 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, available at discount to members. http://www.ciriabooks.com/

  • Training – short-courses to aid industry implementation of selected CIRIA guidance documents.

Events diary available on: 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) http://www.ciria.org.uk/networks.htm

Networks of relevance to resource efficiency in the construction sector include:

    • Construction Productivity Network’s (CPN) mission is to deliver leading-edge thinking and improvement opportunities to the construction industry. http://www.ciria.org/cpn_intro.htm
    • 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. http://www.ciria.org/cief/
    • buildoffsite - an industry-wide campaigning organisation that promotes greater uptake of offsite techniques by UK construction http://www.buildoffsite.org/

Membership and Benefits

CIRIA offers five membership routes, designed to improve the performance of all concerned with construction and the environment.

  1. 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 £2,496 (academic) - £46,758 +VAT.
  2. Construction Productivity Network (CPN)
    Annual membership ranges from £110-£754 + VAT.
  3. Construction Industry Environmental Forum (CIEF)
    Annual membership ranges from £185-£780 +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 £234-£858 + VAT, discounts available for small companies and higher education organisations.
  5. Local Authority Contaminated Land Network (LACL)
    Network to help local authorities address responsibilities under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Annual membership ranges from £518 + VAT.

CIRIA's Reach

  • 80 Core Members share in CIRIA’s ownership.
  • 700 industry organisations belong to one or more of CIRIA’s networks, or subscribe regularly to CIRIA’s publication output.
  • 14,000 industry professionals receive CIRIA Highlights, CIRIA’s free fortnightly e-newsletter.
  • 26,000 industry professionals receive Evolution, CIRIA’s free quarterly magazine.
  • 200,000 people visit CIRIA’s website, every month.
  • 50 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.