About Design South West

Design South West is an alliance of organisations, active in the region, who together promote design quality in the built environment. Following the publication of "Designing our Environment - towards a better built environment for the South West" (download available) a commission was set up to establish an implementation plan that would address some of the key priorities. The commission was chaired by Les Sparkes OBE (Commissioner, CABE and English Heritage) and the following actions are now being pursued:

• Design Review and Advisory System for the South West
• Development of Design Champions
• Development of a second Architecture Centre in the region (serving Devon and Cornwall)
• Establish regional links with housing organisations
• Develop regional seminars on Creating Successful Masterplans
• Establish a regional client programme
• Support CABE Education (Design Awards)
• Develop a regional diary of training events
• Arrange regular briefings for the press
• Develop links with professional institutes/UDAL/Constructing Excellence
• Embrace and extend CABE national initiatives

A full version of the panel's recommendations are available here as a download.

The ambition is to empower everyone involved in regeneration to play an effective part in delivering well-designed buildings and spaces. Advice, training and evidence will be made available to diverse audiences - from community groups and elected members through to practitioners and regeneration agencies - giving them the skills, knowledge and capacity to act as champions for good design. The agenda has been given a 'flying start' in Devon and Cornwall with the newly-created Design Action programme funded by CABE and supported by SWRDA and CPR Regeneration. Read the press release.