Design West, the South West’s design and placemaking charity, will host the RIBA Stirling Prize lecture in Plymouth for the first time this month (November).
Everyone is welcome to attend the lecture, which will take place as part of Plymouth by Design, a programme of events exploring the role of design in successful regeneration and placemaking with the spotlight firmly on the future of Britain’s Ocean City.
The globally renowned RIBA Stirling Prize is presented to the UK’s best new building with the winner giving just a handful of public lectures at locations around the country to reflect on the making of the project. The public architectural event will take place at 6.15pm on Wednesday, November 25, at the Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth. The following day, Design West will host a RIBA Stirling Prize lecture in Bristol.
This comes as Design West celebrates 30 years of shaping better places for people and the planet, with the Plymouth events part of its expanded anniversary programme.
Earlier in the day, Design West will be hosting Plymouth: Design, Regeneration & City Living, a built-environment sector forum bringing together government, city leaders, developers and designers to explore the role of design in city centre regeneration and housing delivery. It will also include a tour of Armada Way and updates on the Civic Centre: an opportunity to explore the transformation of a significant listed building.
A masterclass for students from University of Plymouth with the Stirling Prize winner will also take place.
The RIBA Stirling Prize winner this year went to Lion Green Road, a residential, landscape-led social housing scheme in Croydon, which was made possible via a delivery model that treated the land as a public asset. Built on a former car park, the project encourages neighbourliness and connection, prioritising living amongst nature and a quality of life.
Dr Anna Rutherford, CEO of Design West, said: “With Plymouth at a pivotal moment as it undergoes one of the most significant urban transformations in its history, hosting the Stirling Prize lecture in the city is the perfect opportunity to showcase its ambitious, design-led vision. Design is not simply about how a place looks; it is fundamental to how well it works for people and the planet, directly influencing everything from our physical and mental health to the long-term success of our communities. Good design comes from collaboration, which must not be overlooked as we seek to create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable future.”
This comes as £4.4 billion is being invested in Devonport with significant employment growth expected, whilst Plymouth’s new City Living Framework is set to guide the delivery of around 10,000 city-centre homes.
Mary Duggan, director and founder of Mary Duggan Architects, which designed Lion Green Road, said: “Plymouth has the momentum and ambition to make regeneration count, and I’m delighted to share the lessons of Lion Green Road in my Stirling Prize lecture in the city. When we put good design at the centre of housing and growth, we build places that people are proud to call home.”
Through its independent Design Review service, public programmes and education initiatives, Design West brings communities, decision-makers and built environment professionals together to support healthier, more inclusive and more sustainable development. The charity is supported by a network of 190 expert panellists who provide independent advice via Design Review on proposals ranging from homes and schools to workplaces, hospitals and major regeneration schemes. Over recent years, Design Review’s reach has grown significantly, now extending across the South West, including Plymouth, with bases in Exeter and Bristol.
Jackie Gillespie, one of the Design Review’s panellists and co-director of Gillespie Yunnie Architects, will be chairing the sector forum discussions. Jackie was the lead architect on Urban Splash’s notable regeneration project, Royal William Yard in Plymouth. Speakers include: Sarah Allan, Head of Architecture at MHCLG; Stuart Wingfield, Director Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Plymouth City Council; Glenn Howells, Director, Howells; Helen Bone, Regional Head South West, Homes England.
With design criteria recently receiving renewed attention in Government planning policy, Design West has an increasingly important role in supporting the region’s growth and housing ambitions while helping to ensure that development delivers lasting public benefit.
The Designing Plymouth programme of events is being delivered by Design West in partnership with University of Plymouth and RIBA, with support from BDP and Morgan Sindall.
Plymouth by Design events:
Plymouth: Design, Regeneration & City Living – Sector Forum including tour
Time: 3PM Til 6:15PM
Date: Weds 25 November
Venue: Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth
RIBA Stirling Prize Lecture
Time: 6:15PM
Date: Weds 25 November
Venue: Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth
To book tickets, click here.
