Back


Event at Tate Modern. Image courtesy The Architecture Foundation
Event at Tate Modern. Image courtesy The Architecture Foundation




Region One. Image courtesy Beam
Region One. Image courtesy Beam




Image courtesy Open-City
Image courtesy Open-City




BfL Session. Image courtesy TransformPlaces
BfL Session. Image courtesy TransformPlaces




Education event. Image courtesy Urban Vision North Staffordshire
Education event. Image courtesy Urban Vision North Staffordshire




A History of the Architecture Centre Network

June 2012

On this page:

< ARCHITECTURE CENTRE NETWORK, THE ORGANISATION:

Architecture Centre Network was the national advocacy, support and development organisation for 20+ architecture and built environment centres in England and Northern Ireland.

Established as an organisation in 2001 with funding from Arts Council England, Architecture Centre Network had already been operating informally for a number of years. Additional core funding was also received from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE, now Design Council Cabe). Architecture Centre Network closed at the end of June 2012.

Architecture Centre Network’s role was:

< THE MEMBERSHIP:

The first known published reference to what were later called architecture centres was by Rory Coonan, Arts Council England: “A network of independently managed centres in the UK might go some way to repairing the fissure which exists between public expectation and the creative visions of architects and planners”. This was published as a discussion paper on architecture, written in advance of the draft national arts & media strategy 1992.

The Arts Council organised a conference in Birmingham in 1993, where the architecture centre models of the Arsenale in Paris and The Philadelphia Center for Architecture were discussed. At that time, Arts Council funding bids were in preparation for architecture centres in Bristol, Manchester and London (The Architecture Foundation and Open House, now Open-City).

Architecture and built environment centres in the UK are a vibrant group of independent organisations working for the creation of better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces across the country. They achieve this through three common areas of activity:
Architecture and built environment centres are independent and unbiased, either charities or not-for-profit organisations and can bring:
Centres actively promote and facilitate public involvement and engagement in the design of quality places and spaces at a local, regional and national level, in formal and informal settings. They have local, sub-regional and regional remits in the UK and national remits in Scotland and Northern Ireland. They have local knowledge, understanding and established relationships and partnerships. Centres collaborate and share best practice and knowledge to maximise their reach and effectiveness.

This national network of local organisations is the 'localism infrastructure', providing a vehicle for local authorities and communities to respond to the Big Society agenda.

The architecture centres are independent, influential, and inclusive, providing expertise, experience and creativity – they have the understanding of the specific local conditions, critical to providing meaningful design advice.

With a collective expert staff of 95+ supported by 270+ volunteers, 30+ interns and 430+ built environment design professionals, the centres have a significant impact.

Their built environment education work is world leading; their design support services are esteemed for their expertise; and their exhibitions, debates and events have received national and international critical acclaim.


< WHAT DO CENTRES DO?

Architecture and built environment centre work with a wide range of national and regional agencies and practitioners including: architects and built environment professionals, artists, communities, designers, developers, registered social landlords, local authorities, planners, regeneration companies, schools and the general public.

They commission, showcase and display work from a variety of disciplines that aim to challenge our ideas of the urban built environment.

Centres initiate and deliver programmes promoting innovative relationships between culture, community and place, working with local communities, young people and schools. They play an important role in place-shaping.

< FUNDING:

The centres are funded through a combination of public and private sector funding. In 2001/02 the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) established their regional funding programme. This contributed £1.86 million to 19 organisations between 2006-8, and which represented just 8% of CABE’s budget. This money was at least match funded by the organisations from their other funding sources and fundraising.

Until 2010, the design review panels at the regional scale were funded via the respective Regional Development Agencies or Regional Centres of Excellence. In 2011-13 Design Council Cabe (previously CABE) has part funded the panels, whilst still requiring substantial match and revenue funding. This resulted in the panels having to charge for the service.

The architecture centres have diverse income streams: trusts and foundations, the Arts Council, Design Council Cabe, local authorities, as well as the ever-shrinking pot of national government education funding. Additional income comes from membership programmes, ticketed events and exhibitions, retail sales and private sponsorship. They also undertake limited consultancy work and delivering services.

Arts Council England is the Government’s arts development agency for England – there are equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Arts Council England was established just after the Second World War and the Commission for Architecture (CABE) was established in 1999. Both Arts Council England and Design Council Cabe report directly to Government.


< ACTIVITIES – A SNAPSHOT:

Architecture and built environment centres run design review and design enabling services to advise and support clients in embedding design quality throughout the planning and development process.

Centres manage five of the six Design Council Cabe’s affiliated regional design review panels (MADE, Kent Architecture Centre, Shape East, Places Matter! and OPUN); support 3 sub-regional panels (Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall and The Architecture Centre, Bristol); manage two sub regional panels (Arc and Urban Vision North Staffordshire) and a local panel (Beam).

Centres providing enabling services include MADE, Kent Architecture Centre, Places Matter! Urban Vision North Staffordshire and TransForm Places.

Open-City and The Building Exploratory provide support and advice for consultation and community led-design.

The Humber Design Review Panel is a service run by Arc since 2006 that offers independent advice and guidance on design quality to local authorities, developers, and designers in the sub-region. The panel reviews strategically important development schemes and consists of 16 respected built environment and regeneration specialists, who are based both locally and nationally. Arc has held various public design review events in the past that have enabled the public to observe the design review process and to give their feedback on design schemes.

For more information see the centres’ individual websites and the Design Review, Design Support and Community Engagement Support fact sheets.


Architecture and built environment centres deliver training to a range of organisations including local authority officers, members, housing associations and built environment professionals.

Places Matter! provide skills development in Manual for Streets, Building in Context and Building for Life.

MADE, Shape East, OPUN and Kent Architecture Centre worked with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment  (CABE, DC Cabe since 2012) to pioneer the introduction of the initial Building for Life (BfL) assessments.

Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall (ACD&C) collaborated with The Architecture Centre, Bristol to deliver the Design Leadership Programme, bespoke training for local authorities particularly in the growth areas. Sessions included sustainable masterplans, place making, design codes, neighbourhood regeneration and use of best practice such as Building for Life, Building in Context and Manual for Streets, in addition to how to be a good client which culminated in a Design Leadership Action Plan. Shape East has provided a similar programme for Improvement East.

MADE provided a network to help councillors from all over the West Midlands region who are Design and Historic Environment Champions to work together and learn from each other - supported by English Heritage and CABE. Shape East is providing a similar service in the East of England and ACD&C and The Architecture Centre, Bristol in the South West.

Open-City runs the London Exemplar Programme to promote design awareness for decision makers, giving them the tools and language to make informed decisions.

For more information see the centres’ individual websites and the Snapshot of Training Provision fact sheet.

 
UK architecture centres are considered by European centres to be leading on quality and innovation. The Architecture Centre Network is facilitating events to share information internationally.

Solent Centre for Architecture + Design and Arc managed ‘Grounds for Optimism’ an innovative landscape design award scheme aimed at secondary schools across Yorkshire and Humberside and South East England.
 
The Architecture Centre, Bristol developed a Building Schools for the Future (BSF) expert client group in Bridgewater, Somerset; providing steering group support and resource development for the Construction and Built Environment Diploma; and developed the Building for the Future advocacy document showing how built environment education is a creative means of meeting the Every Child Matters agenda.

The Building Exploratory’s education programme includes activities for schools and teachers, independent young people, events for adults and a lifelong learning programme (the Senior BEES).

For more information see the centres’ individual websites and the Learning section of this website which also has a range of free resources for schools and educators


A key role of architecture and built environment centres is to make architecture accessible to the broadest range of people through creative and critical engagement.

Arc’s highly acclaimed recent HLF funded Hullness project has been about exploring the notion of 'sense of place' and the important relationship between past and present in creating local identity and distinctiveness. Their focus is on the built environment, but has the flexibility to consider other cultural factors. This is the search for Hullness.

PLACE Colloquia – are curated discussions around various topical themes in architecture, some in parallel with the exhibition programme.

Spring Green is The Architecture Centre, Bristol’s annual programme of exhibitions and events (now in its 6th year) focussing on sustainable approaches to architecture and design.

The Architecture Foundation has a diverse programme facilitating international and interdisciplinary exchange, stimulating critical engagement amongst professionals, policy makers and a broad public.

CUBE is one of Europe’s most exciting art, architecture and design centres dedicated to broadcasting the ideas and issues that lie behind the buildings, spaces and cultural networks that make up our built environment. The City as Gymnasium project showcases ‘alternative’ ways that Manchester can be used as a gymnasium as explored by 5 international artists. Inspired by London 2012 it is part of the Cultural Olympiad.

The Open House London Annual Event, delivered by Open-City, is the capital’s highest profile architectural showcase of 700 of London’s exemplary buildings, attracting over 350,000 visitors over the weekend.


Architecture and built environment centres ensure that all sectors of the community have a voice – particularly young people. Several of the centres are leading in sustained youth engagement in architecture, urban design and public space.

Fundamental established the Architecture Crew, since 2004, for young people aged 13 – 19 in Newham to come together and give voice to their views about their local built environment. The aim is to ensure that young people are civically engaged in the regeneration of their neighbourhood. Fundamental also run the Legacy Now Youth Panel – comprising young people from the 5 Olympic Host Boroughs.

My City Too, launched in 2007, is a groundbreaking city-wide campaign created by Open-City to enable young people to voice their ideas, aspirations and solutions for the future of London. My City Too places young people at the heart of built environment policy and inspires them to take an active role in London's future development.

The Architecture Foundation's Urban Pioneers programme engages teams of 16-19 year olds in areas of London undergoing dramatic change. Young people are empowered to critically explore the transformations happening around them and develop new skills through workshops with professionals including architects, engineers, film makers, artists, designers and writers.


The centres are committed to sharing their learning for others to benefit. Quality resources created by centres are disseminated nationally through websites such as Engaging Places www.engagingplaces.org.uk
Publication and dissemination of Economic Impact of Good Design (In a Recession) May 2009 as a follow up to earlier research published by Places Matter! in 2007.

PLACE is digitally mapping key architectural areas of Belfast for an on-line resource, working with visually impaired and deaf people to highlight their experiences of the city, and creating downloadable audio tours.

Beam, Kent Architecture Centre and The Architecture Centre, Bristol are collaborating to produce the Spaceshaper 9-14 toolkit and website resource. Kent Architecture Centre has also developed a Design Quality Indicator question card based toolkit to help stakeholder groups for the early design stages for school buildings and grounds, both as part of the BSF programme and in other contexts.

Open-City produces architect and teacher manuals for school design as well as ‘Learning by Design’ publications that highlight exemplary design in educational institutions.

 
< CURRENT MEMBERS (including both core and affiliated members)

Arc
www.arc-online.co.uk
Their purpose is to promote quality in placemaking and the built environment in the Hull and Humber region. They do this by enabling, promoting and showcasing good design and sustainable development by driving up design awareness and skills in the private, public and voluntary sectors and by providing support for creative interventions in public art and public space.

The Arc pavilion was designed by Niall McLaughlin Architects and completed in 2006, just after the organisation was established. It was designed as a kit of parts with modular, off-site construction techniques reflecting the local caravan and modular building industry. The first purpose-built architecture centre in the country, the innovative design of the Arc pavilion reflects the geography and varied industries of Hull, whilst embracing a number of sustainable features.

The Architecture Centre, Bristol
www.architecturecentre.co.uk
The Architecture Centre, Bristol encourages demand for excellent design by increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of their built environment, and demonstrating the value of good design, championing better buildings and places in the South West.

The Architecture Centre was established in 1996. They are located on Narrow Quay on Bristol Harbourside in a warehouse building that was purchased and converted to create the Centre. The Centre is one of the few with an exhibition gallery, events and debate space that is also a major visitor attraction in the city.

The Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall
www.acdandc.org.uk
Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall aims to raise public awareness of design issues, and support local authorities, communities and practitioners in the creation of high quality design.

The Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall was established in June 2006 with support from CABE and Creating Excellence, the regional centre for sustainable communities, to promote quality in the design of the built environment.

The Architecture Foundation
www.architecturefoundation.org.uk
The Architecture Foundation is a non-profit agency for contemporary architecture, urbanism and culture. They cultivate new talent and new ideas. Through their diverse programmes they facilitate international and interdisciplinary exchange, stimulate critical engagement amongst professionals, policy makers and a broad public, and shape the quality of the built environment. They are independent, agile, inclusive and influential. Central to their activities is the belief that architecture enriches lives.

The Architecture Foundation was established in 1991 to actively bridge the gap between decision-makers, design professionals and the public. In 2001 they worked in partnership with Trafford Hall, the home of the National Tenants’ Resource Centre to establish the Glass-House, a national design advisory service for social housing tenants and residents living in disadvantaged and low income areas. This has now become a separate organisation, Glass-House Community Led Design.

The Architecture Foundation is the UK representative on the Advisory Committee for the Mies van der Rohe award for contemporary European architecture and the EU Prize for public Urban Space and also participated in the GAUDI EU-funded programme linking 8 European architecture centres and museums.

Beam
www.beam.uk.net
Beam is a company dedicated to the imaginative understanding and improvement of the public realm. They are an arts focussed organisation and aim to:
Beam is based in a The Orangery is a Grade ll* listed building in the heart of the city of Wakefield.

The Building Exploratory
www.buildingexploratory.org.uk
The Building Exploratory, based in Hackney East London, is an education and resource-focussed centre in East London exploring buildings and the local environment with a wide-ranging education programme. It helps people discover the secrets of their local area and gain a better understanding of the buildings and spaces that surround them. The Building Exploratory runs an extensive educations programme, leads innovative learning projects and facilitates engagement of local residents with changes taking place in the public realm.

Cube (member to May 2012)
www.cube.org.uk
CUBE, The Centre for the Urban Built Environment, is dedicated to broadcasting the ideas and issues that lie behind the buildings, spaces and environments that make up the built environment in the North West.

CUBE is an independent voice and opportunity for public interaction / debate on key issues regarding the built environment. A high quality cutting edge exhibition venue which focuses on the built environment, actively contributing to the North West's cultural offer.

CUBE works with the public, educators, industry and professionals, politicians, artists, designers, architects and planners, public sector, youth workers, business people, environmental activitists, community workers, influencers and innovators, policy makers and those who have the potential to inspire others that creativity and good design can bring economic and social improvement.

Concourse
www.concourse.org.uk
Concourse is the Leeds Centre for Art, Architecture, Construction, Landscape, Planning and Urban Design.

Concourse is primarily a network for the discussion of ideas in the fields of: design quality; placemaking and sustainable communities; and the promotion of interdisciplinary collaborations of artists, architects, academics, environmentalists, town planners, surveyors, construction managers, landscape architects and all others concerned with the improvement of training and practice in these fields.

The Concourse mission is to promote design quality in the built environment and to support those who are charged with regenerating the Ledds City Region.

Fundamental Architectural Inclusion
www.fundamental.uk.net
Fundamental seeks new ways for communities to participate in the transformation of their neighbourhoods.

Fundamental devises and delivers innovative projects in schools, community and business settings which are participative, creative and aim to arm people with the skills, confidence and broad knowledge to play an active role in decision making processes.

Fundamental offers services in education, training, community participation, public art, design, research and event management and have a team of passionate, highly skilled educators including architects, designers, artists, theatre practitioners and researchers. Fundamental works both locally, regionally and nationally and with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Kent Architecture Centre
www.architecturecentre.org
Kent Architecture Centre works with design professionals, decision-makers and the wider community to promote the value of good architecture and urban design.

Kent Architecture Centre is a not-for-profit, skilled and agile social enterprise that assists in place-making and provides design support, bringing the value of good design to as many people as possible, always acting in the public interest.

Kent Architecture Centre does this through a committed team of full-time built environment professionals, complemented by a multi-disciplinary practitioner network drawn from across the UK and Europe. Kent Architecture Centre makes these skills available to support local delivery across the South East of England, carefully configuring services to meet the needs of local people, local planning authorities and organisations developing land in those communities. Kent Architecture Centre is independent, objective, expert and flexible.

The Lighthouse (merged with Architecture + Design Scotland, core members from 2002-2009. A+DS affiliated member 2011-12)
www.thelighthouse.co.uk 
www.ads.org.uk

The Lighthouse nurtures, champions and promotes Scotland’s architecture and design nationally and internationally, and profiles best practice from across the country and the world.

The Lighthouse is one of the only centres in the world that is equally dedicated to architecture and design. Their definition of design includes graphic, product and industrial, interior, fashion, textiles, jewellery and digital design with architecture relating to the built environment, from buildings and planning to landscape design.

It was opened in July 1999, by HM Queen Elizabeth, after a £13 million ($20 million) conversion, which transformed Charles Rennie Mackintosh's derelict 1895 Glasgow Herald newspaper office into Scotland's first, dedicated, national centre for architecture and design.

Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) is Scotland's champion for excellence in placemaking, architecture and planning. They are an Executive Non Departmental Public Body of the Scottish Government. A+DS aims to support the creation of places that work, which provide people with real choices and, are ultimately, places where people want to be.



They champion the highest standards in architecture and placemaking across all sectors, advocating a better understanding of the importance of quality design in both the public and private sectors. A+DS works through their established programmes to champion excellence and the benefits of excellence in design. With offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow their programmes are Urbanism, Design Review, Sust, Access to Architecture, Schools Design and Healthcare Design.

MADE
www.made.org.uk
MADE Supports and promotes excellence in place-making in the West Midlands, bringing architecture, public space and urban design together to make better places for people.

MADE’s collaborates with local, UK and international partners to promote good design and place-making everywhere. MADE's activity is focussed on Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Telford, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

MADE provide friendly, responsive and value-for-money services. They work through a flexible core staff team, a voluntary board of directors, our expert panel of around fifty experienced built environment professionals, volunteers and supporters.

MADE bring people together across sectors and professions to discuss design and place-making issues and highlighting examples of good practice.

Northern Architecture
www.northernarchitecture.com
Northern Architecture champions high quality design and focuses on raising aspirations for good design among professionals and the public.

Northern Architecture believes it's possible to make better places in which to live and work by: creating something that meets the populations' needs well, makes the best use of resources for that area, lasts well, and enhances the pleasure of places. Taking care, and wanting to make good places, is the first step towards making good architecture and design. Northern Architecture believes that this is a job not just for developers and architects, planners and builders, but that everybody who lives in and uses places should take part in.

Northern Architecture's programme seeks to provide opportunities for this to happen. It focuses on championing good design and raising aspirations for good design amongst both public and professionals. It works with a variety of partners to bring together decision makers, design professionals, artists, students, community groups, teachers, youth workers, young people and their families.

Open-City (previously Open House)
open-city.org.uk
Open-City encourages Londoners to experience, explore and understand architecture, design and the built environment. It highlights and promotes architectural excellence, with the aim of influencing the future shape of the city.

Over the last 17 years, the organisation has grown from showcasing the capital’s architecture annually to research, training, advice and campaigns that impact on the whole city. It changed its name from Open House to Open-City in 2010 to reflect the scope of its work.

OPUN
www.opun.org.uk
OPUN works with decision makers, design, planning and regeneration professional and communities to encourage investment in good design in the East Midlands.

OPUN was initially set up as Architecture Centre East Midlands in 2002, it then became the business unit for design within Regeneration East Midlands the Regional Centre of Excellence. It has subsequently become an independent organisation hosted at De Montfort University in Leicester.

Opun undertakes commissions from the public, private and voluntary sector in delivering design support. It runs the East Midlands Design Review Panel, as well as leads on Arts Programmes in the Built Environment. It has been engaged in community-led initiatives as well as assisted in procurement and design competitions. The OPUN Connect group meets at least four times a year with key regional stakeholders engaged with the built environment.

PLACE
www.place.uk.net
The mission of PLACE is to positively influence the creating and sustaining of excellent places and buildings, making Northern Ireland an environment of exceptional quality for all.

PLACE was established in 2004 by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects and Belfast City Council, with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland under its Architecture and Built Environment Policy. PLACE is an acronym for Planning, Landscape, Architecture, Community and Environment.

PLACE run a public programme of exhibitions, debates and discussions, architecture tours, site visits and design workshops on various local and international built environment topics relevant to Northern Ireland. Some exhibitions are produced in-house or commissioned by PLACE, while others are travelling exhibitions produced by external curators and organisations. Most events and exhibitions are open to the general public.

PLACE also run architecture and urban design education and community projects in areas across Northern Ireland and produce publications on built environment topics relevant to Northern Ireland.

Places Matter!
www.placesmatter.co.uk
Places Matter! is devoted to generating a strong sense of place in living, working and learning environments throughout the Northwest. Places Matter! Is delivering with partner organisations including RIBA North West, DC Cabe and English Heritage.

Places Matter! facilitates improved decision making and commissioning skills, as well as increased awareness of, and expectations for, high quality design amongst clients and developers.

The Places Matter! remit is to understand the economic case for promoting good design, ensuring project developers and managers provide strong client leadership.

RIBA Trust (Members from 2002 to 2009)
www.riba.org
The RIBA Trust is the national and international public outreach arm of the Royal Institute of British Architects. It organises a major annual programme of exhibitions, talks and events both at its London headquarters and elsewhere, runs the annual RIBA Awards and Stirling Prize to promote quality in architecture, manages the British Architectural Library, partners with the V&A in its architecture galleries, provides educational services at secondary and higher education level and is a partner in other major cultural projects.

Scottish Civic Trust (affiliated member)www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk
Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) is Scotland's champion for excellence in placemaking, architecture and planning. They are an Executive Non Departmental Public Body of the Scottish Government. A+DS aims to support the creation of places that work, which provide people with real choices and, are ultimately, places where people want to be.



They champion the highest standards in architecture and placemaking across all sectors, advocating a better understanding of the importance of quality design in both the public and private sectors. A+DS works through their established programmes to champion excellence and the benefits of excellence in design. With offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow their programmes are Urbanism, Design Review, Sust, Access to Architecture, Schools Design and Healthcare Design.

The Solent Centre for Architecture + Design
www.solentcentre.org.uk
Solent Centre for Architecture + Design (SCA+D) works in the Solent area (Hampshire and the Isle of Wight) and also the bordering areas of Dorset, West Sussex, Surrey and the Thames Valley. It aims to promote high quality design in the built environment, with an emphasis on achieving environmental and social sustainability.

Solent Centre for Architecture + Design develops and delivers a number of groundbreaking projects around the region.

Solent advocates the value of design excellence with decision makers, industry, professionals and the community, and provides strong leadership on design issues. They also aim to improve the understanding of the importance of good design of the built and designed environment at the local level and the role people can have in shaping it. Solent facilitate inspirational workshops, exhibitions, participatory programmes and other initiatives.

Shape East
www.shape-east.org.uk
Shape East works with communities, schools and professionals to increase understanding of the importance of good planning, urban design, architecture and construction, and to encourage people to participate in the planning process.

Shape East provide design review and enabling, training, education, exhibition and debate, research and resources, and are working in partnership with Kettles Yard on their HLF funded Completing Kettles Yard Project.

TransForm Places (formerly TransForm MKSM)
transformplaces.com
TransForm Places is dedicated to creating better neighbourhoods. We work with communities and professionals to improve the design of neighbourhoods, streets, homes, and green spaces. We do this through research, training, and hands-on project work.

Established in 2006, TransForm Places is part of the national network of Architecture and Built Environment Centres, and were set up to provide design leadership and to work with all those who are designing, planning, building and managing new development in the MKSM sub-region. TransForm Places were supported in this role by CABE and the Homes and Communities Agency, and provide opportunities to share best practice, develop skills, and access expertise and impartial advice.

Committed to raising the design standard of new homes, neighbourhoods and public spaces in our region, making it a better place to live, work, invest and visit, TransForm Places' activities include placemaking, quality benchmarking, training and consultancy.

Urban Vision North Staffordshire
www.uvns.org
Urban Vision North Staffordshire aims to inspire the people of North Staffordshire to demand high quality architecture and urban design, and make it a priority in all major regeneration schemes in the region.

Urban Vision North Staffordshire’s projects are delivered by Urban Vision Enterprise, which also works on a national basis for the benefit of a wider range of communities.

In addition, Urban Vision has a panel of over 30 independent professional experts who provide specialist skills to support specific projects, such as design review and community engagement.

Urban Vision works in the public interest by providing professional support to improve the built environment, to help communities develop their own plans and projects, to increase skills and understanding and to deliver projects and services which enhance the quality of our towns and cities.


< THE IMPACT OF ARCHITECTURE CENTRE NETWORK MEMBERS:

2001 / 2002

Twelve architecture centres were already established and funded via Arts Council England and others. In 2001/02 the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) established their regional funding programme.

The centres that existed at this time:
Public Arts (now Beam) existed but their main activity was public art consultancy. MADE did not exist as such but was part of the RIBA WM and Birmingham Design Initiative. Concourse did not exist as such but was part of the Leeds Design Initiative. There was a centre in Milton Keynes focussing on the city only. Thames Valley Centre for the Built Environment based in Reading was also supported and became the SE Regional Centre of Excellence in due course. CABE also worked with the emerging Regional Centres of Excellence across England.

We have no statistics available for impact during this time. Much of the funding from CABE was for feasibility studies and early development. The Architecture Foundation was core funded, grants were given to CUBE, The Building Exploratory, Northern Architecture and Concourse in Leeds. In addition, a grant was given to the Society of Black Architects. The Architecture Foundation had received funding directly from DCMS prior to CABE being established, and CABE inherited the role and funding to support them.


2002  / 2004

Arts Council England and CABE agreed that architecture centres needed to be supported, as advocated by The Urban Task Force report of 1999. The Urban Task Force was set up by the government to identify causes of urban decline in England and recommend practical solutions to bring people back into cities, towns and urban neighbourhoods. One of the recommendations was to  ‘Establish Local Architecture Centres in each of our major cities’ (page 7 of Executive Summary).

CABE’s regional funding programme provided £1.05 million to twelve Architecture centres and the Architecture Centre Network. This required the organisations to at least match this income from other sources.
The total number of visitors to architecture centres, participants in activities, traffic to websites, viewers of videos and broadcasts and purchasers of publications was 1,025,000 people.

Impact in 2003/04 included:

2004 / 2006

£1.83 million of funding was provided by CABE to 21 organisations, of which 14 were architecture centres and others included the Architecture Centre Network and a range of other regional organisations. Eight of the organisations were at this time also core funded by Arts Council England.
See the Select Committee on Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions inquiry into the role and effectiveness of CABE outside London, 2004:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmodpm/1117/1117we27.htm

Impact for 2005 / 2006 included:
(These impact statistics cover 16 of the centres, excluding CUBE, CREATE:MKSM and Devon + Cornwall)


2006 / 2007:

Members of the network:
Evaluation undertaken of only CABE funded activity by ABECs by Annabel Jackson Associates which identified the outputs of the 40 projects funded (including New London Architecture which is not an architecture centre or member of the Network), which engaged with:
In 2007/2008 the centres collectively, across all programmes with a wide range of funders:

2008 / 2010

CABE’s Shape the future Corporate strategy 2008/09-2010/11 outlined their intention to work with architecture and built environment centres to build the design capacity of local and regional organisations and promote the active participation of citizens in their local area. The CABE Regional Funding programme provided £1.86 million to 22 organisations, of which 17 were members of the network:
In addition, there was funding for the Architecture Centre Network, Design Liverpool (Regional Pilot programme), New London Architecture and Urban Design London.


2009 / 2010

CABE funded £900,000 to 22 architecture centres across England for 2010-2011 for projects aligned with CABE’s core work: built environment education; promoting regional design review; and training for both Manual for Streets and Building for Life. Again, this funding was all required to be matched from other sources.

Projects included workshops in Hull where local communities learn about sustainable architecture; a programme in Wakefield that showed teachers how to use their school building as a teaching tool; and an initiative in London where school pupils respond to an architect’s brief.

MADE’s programme in the West Midlands involved students in the Building Schools for the Future process; Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall developed a 20th century heritage trail; and in London, Fundamental Architectural Inclusion worked with young people in the five host Olympic boroughs to build their knowledge of architecture and public space in advance of 2012.

CABE also funded projects that focused on regional design review, following the affiliation earlier in 2011 between the eight regional panels and CABE, included roadshows and workshops to showcase regional success stories to local planning authorities. The Building for Life training supported the assessors’ network. 

The collective impact of the architecture centres in 2009/10 was:
(NB: These statistics exclude RIBA Trust)


2010 / 2011

The collective impact of the architecture centres in 2010/11 was:
(NB: These statistics exclude Fundamental Architectural Inclusion)

Irish Architecture Foundation and Urban Design London were also members during this time.


2011 / 2012

The collective impact of the architecture centres in 2010/11 was:
(NB: These statistics exclude Fundamental Architectural Inclusion, Solent, ACD&C and Shape East)

Scottish Civic Trust and Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) joined as affiliate members during this time.

At this time, across the network: