The$benefits$of$design$quality$

‘promo&ng)excellence’$

Chris)Twomey,)Chair)of)Design)Review)<)OPUN$22nd$February$2012$

Contents$1$$Understanding$

2$$Idea$

3$$Engagement0

Summary$

Why0design0ma6ers...0

Balancing0o;en0compe=ng0needs0and0ambi=ons...00

Community/

stakeholder$

involvement$

Planning$

Policy/$

legislaAon$

Site$$

Analysis$

Design/Access$$

Principles$

Design/Access$

SoluAons$

Design0Process0

Informed by relevant best practice guidance and design standards, eg for housing:

Building for Life, Code for Sustainable Homes, HCA guidance (HQI’s), Secured by Design, Lifetime Homes, Parker Morris Space Standards

U0n0d0e0r0s0t0a0n0d0i0n0g001

Step010–0Understanding0the0context0

Assessment of:

•  Location and landscape setting

•  Relationship to surroundings (form, scale & mass of buildings)

•  Transport links

•  Local facilities

•  Predominant building materials

What is special and distinctive about the place?

HighlighAng$poor$use$of$space$and$

fragmentaAon$within$the$exisAng$

development$$I$estate$for$cars$not$people$

Drawing$aJenAon$to$random$

distribuAon$and$lack$of$

coherence$between$exisAng$

community$faciliAes$$

Addressing$exisAng$maze$of$

interconnecAng$pedestrian$

routes$to$help$reduce$crime$

and$anAIsocial$behaviour$

problems$

Characterisa=on0

Showing$areas$of$ill$defined$and$

liJle$used$green$space$

What’s it like?

SocioDeconomic0Context0

What are the indicators telling us?

I0d0e0a0

02

Presentation Contents

0Step020–00Iden=fy0Design0Principles0

Presentation Contents Clearly0stated0aims0

•  ‘Housing on the square’ •  Clear distinction between public ‘fronts’ and private ‘backs’ •  Building frontage to define street pattern •  Improved connectivity/pedestrian links •  Elevational ‘rhythm’ to enliven street scene •  Materials to reflect neighbouring buildings

Presentation Contents Developing0concepts0

•  Creation of new ‘green’ •  Strong, active frontage •  Articulating ‘gateways’ and corners

0Embedding0sustainability0

•  Re-using land and buildings

•  Improving links and connectivity

•  Harnessing renewables

•  Using energy efficiently

•  Conserving water

•  Using natural systems

•  Using local materials

•  Integrating waste re-cycling

Creative use of interior space with built in flexibility

Hellerup Skole, Denmark Architect: Arkitema

Internal courtyard next to library for quiet study and reading

Peacehaven Community School

architecture plb

The0CABE0100key0points0for0a0well0designed0school0Well-designed external spaces offering a variety of different settings for leisure, learning and sport.

The building as a teaching resource to promote sustainability:

Sedum roof Habitats & conservation Rainwater harvesting and storage Recycling, composting

Students measure energy consumption

and rainwater harvesting

Photovoltaics on roof (Retrofit)

Darton College, Barnsley

Lathams

The0CABE0100key0points0for0a0well0designed0school0Distinctive new image and identity promotes culture of learning and community

Remote parking provision encourages health and fitness

Distinctive Atrium, ‘art barn’ and sports hall... New focus for the community

Fresh start (with academic results to match)

E0n0g0a0g0e0m0e0n0t003

Stakeholder & community engagement – How have views shaped the scheme?

Consulta=on0

eg.$waterside$design$workshop$(Tewkesbury):$

Issues0and0Opportuni=es0

Groups:I$

1.#‘On#the#Water’#

2.#‘By#the#Water’#

3.#‘Find#the#Water’#

WaterIbased$market,$CraS$Barges$etc.?$

On$river$performance$space?$

On0the0Water...?0

FloaAng$

Bridges?$

Water$taxis$–$park$&$glide?$

Art$&$

sculpture?$

Aqua$cycles?$

FloaAng$

faciliAes?$

Dragon$boats?$

Park?$

Modest$but$iconic$buildings?$

By0the0Water...?0

ASer$dark$appeal?$

Waterside$terracing$?$

Furniture?$Art$/play?$

Angling?$

Find0the0Water...?0

Art$/$wayfinding$/$signage?$

Sculptural$links$/$bridges?$

Access$for$all$

Extending$the$

‘waterside$realm’?$

Be$bold$and$visionary...$

S0

u0

m0

m0

a0

r0

y0

Summary0–0the0benefits0of0design0quality...0

•  Strong and distinctive design solutions (supported by reasoned argument) will help to smooth the path to a successful planning consent

•  Schemes with a clear sense of identity and ‘place’ help to create a marketing edge for clients

•  Developments that are the product of a rigorous design process are more likely to have lasting appeal

•  Schemes that are supported by stakeholders and the community will engender civic pride and ‘ownership’

Thank you

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