News
30 Years of Design West | A Celebration of People and Place
Design West, the South West’s charity for design and placemaking is celebrating 30 years of shaping better places for people and planet.
To mark the anniversary this Autumn, the charity hosted a special celebration bringing together many people from across its history for an evening of conversation, reflection and celebration.
‘For 30 years Design West has brought people together to better understand and improve the design of our homes, neighbourhoods, towns and cities. Design isn’t simply about appearance; it affects how well places work for people and planet’. –
Dr Anna Rutherford, CEO, Design West
The anniversary was a chance to recognise the many people who have been part of Design West’s journey, from those involved in the early days of The Architecture Centre to those who have contributed to its independent Design Review service, enjoyed the lively public programme or taken part in education initiatives like Shape My City.
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‘The amazing talks and people you get to meet and discuss all things design‘.
Trishna Patel, Senior Landscape Architect, LUC
From The Architecture Centre to Design West
Design West traces its origins back to a group of architects, engineers, academics and citizens who cared deeply about the impact of good design on society. They came together in the early 1990s to rescue a fire-damaged 18th century warehouse and former sail loft on Bristol’s Harbourside. Their work helped establish The Architecture Centre at 16 Narrow Quay, which opened in 1996 under inaugural director Sasha Lubetkin, and founding chair David Mellor.
Since then, the organisation has evolved significantly. In 2018, Dr Anna Rutherford became director, inviting more people into conversations about the city, expanding Design Review across the region and creating opportunities for young people. Then, in 2021, Dr Rutherford led the renovation of the building once again, transforming to become Design West.
‘By opening our doors, we stepped from architecture to design. Because like city-making, design is multidisciplinary, it needs many of us’.-
Dr Anna Rutherford, CEO of Design West
Design Review has been a longstanding part of the organisation’s work. Today, its network includes 190 expert panellists and has contributed to projects across the South West, including Temple Quarter, Brabazon, Wapping Wharf and Bath Western Riverside. For clients and project teams, it is a role that has remained an important part of Design West’s work throughout its 30 years.
For many attendees, the evening offered space to share memories from across those decades, including moments of challenge and learning that helped shape better proposals and outcomes.
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‘Presenting to a scary D.R.P! And getting good feedback‘. –
Ed Harris, Partner, Purcell
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‘Design Reviews, when the project comes out better than when it started‘. –
Craig O’Brien, Divisional Board Director, Savills
Bringing People Together Through Design
The evening highlighted past memories of the wider programme that has developed alongside Design Review and the contribution of the Design West community to shape the charity over the years.
The Six O’Clock Sessions provide a space for people to discuss issues affecting the built environment and take part in open debate. Shape My City introduces 15 to 18-year-olds to careers in the built environment through practical workshops, giving young people an opportunity to engage with the design of the city.
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‘Bristol is proud to have an organisation like Design West. They work with the best professionals in the region, engage deep in our communities, and work with young people, a magic combination.’ –
Cllr. Sibusiso Tshabalala, Bristol Central
For those who have been part of the public programmes, the opportunity to learn from others and take part in those conversations has made an impression. It demonstrated the value of creating spaces where expertise and ideas can help shape better places, from supporting project teams through Design Review to engaging the next generation in the built environment.
A Night to Remember
Opening with the Sagrada Família talk, followed by conversations about design and memories from across Design West’s history, the night marked an important milestone for the charity.
For an organisation whose work is rooted in improving the places people live and work, the anniversary was a chance to celebrate the community that has grown around that purpose.
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