Vaizey, who has been the architecture minister most highly rated by the profession in years, is believed to have been closely involved in the decision. He has spoken in the past about his desire to make his colleagues across government more design literate.
While architects will be sad in the short term to lose him as an advocate of good design, the move will place architecture in a far more strategic location, making its long-term influence stronger.
Vaizey is expected to retain his role deciding listing applications since this falls within his heritage brief. The Architects’ Act and Arb already sit in the communities department.