Young Architects & Developers Alliance (YADA)

The Young Architects and Developers Alliance started as a networking organisation, providing a context for young professionals to meet regularly, to get to know each other and talk. It was founded in autumn 2016 by Property Developer Martyn Evans and Jane Duncan, President of the RIBA at the time and is currently driven by a board of four young architects and four young developers. We believe in the power of collaboration between architects and developers to change attitudes, improve the built environment, and, ultimately, create a better world one project at a time. Our mission is quite simply about getting young architects and developers (35 and under) understanding each other better, sharing ideas and growing in their careers together in the spirit of mutual benefit. At Yada we believe that great things happen when we work together: when we engage with ideas and each other. Through simple conversation, we can gain an insight into our opposite disciplines’ motivations and challenges, and ultimately make a positive change as to how we operate and deliver better designed, commercially successful developments. Yada Networking currently focuses on large networking events (350-500 attendees) in London with plans to grow geographically around the UK and overseas. Our events are typically jointly sponsored by a developer and an architect and take place in one of their projects, providing the opportunity for participants to have a sneak peek at what makes these projects tick behind scenes. It’s free, informal and typically on a Thursday! The events are usually supported by a team of Director Volunteers from both architectural and development practices which help run the bar and manage the event on the evening.