The paper, which the RIBA calls "a vision for architectural education for the 21st century", is the result of a review of architectural education under way since May 1997 under the chairmanship of architect Sir Colin Stansfield Smith.
The paper suggests that:
- The interdependence of practice and education be more fully acknowledged
- Undergraduate studies for a Part 1 qualification comprise a combination of broad-base and core skills, in preparation for postgraduate study
- Part 2 be turned into a postgraduate qualification, comprising core and specialist skills
- Part 3 be developed into a second, more rigorous postgraduate qualification, comprising specialist and professional skills
- The base for architectural education and practice be broadened
- A fourth layer of architectural education for mid-career professionals be introduced.