Two South West organisations have merged to provide joined-up design and policy services throughout the whole region.
The Architecture Centre in Bristol and Bath-based Creating Excellence have joined forces and rebranded as Design West.
The new group will operate as a charity from regional bases in South Devon and Bristol, to offer design support to local authorities, communities and developers throughout the South West from Gloucesthsire down to Cornwall.
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As part of its work, Design West will hold talks, workshops and events to connect professionals working across architecture, civil engineering and urban planning with politicians, policy-makers and the wider public.
Dr Anna Rutherford will lead the new organisation as its director, after three years at the head of the Architecture Centre.
The organisation recently completed a crowdfunding campaign to raise £25,000 to help fund the development of a new bar and cafe venue at its premises on Bristol’s harbourside.
The terraced bar, named The Architect, will open in July and is part of a new educational space at 16 Narrow Quay, where events discussing the future architectural direction of Bristol will be held.
Dr Rutherford said: “In 2021, our 25th anniversary year, we become Design West, the largest organisation in the South West for design and placemaking.
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“We have recently strengthened our board of trustees and our team to make us ready for future growth.
“Now is such an exciting time across the South West in shaping communities for the future and we want to bring together the best talent and voices from every community to build better places.”
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Dominic Murphy, chair of Creating Excellence, will join the board of Design West while director Julie Tanner becomes design and planning manager South West for the newly created organisation.
Mr Murphy added: "Creating Excellence and our design review panel, Design South West, have built up a strong reputation throughout the South West of England for helping create the very best new places.
“By merging our two organisations to create Design West, we expand our reach and expertise and maximise our synergies.”