The Devonshire Building, designed for the University of Newcastle by Dewjoc Architects in 2004. The building houses the Research Institute for the Environment and Sustainability and has been on every count such as construction materials and energy use received the highest marks for sustainability. It is the RICS North East Building of the Year.

Making good places and buildings

Northern Architecture supports architects, planners, funders, developers and clients to promote, achieve and celebrate good quality design in the North East of England.

"Good design is not just about the aesthetic improvement of our environment, it is as much about improved quality of life, equality of opportunity and economic growth."

Introduction to 'The Value of Good Design', Stuart Lipton, former Chairman, CABE

Achieving good design is not just a technical and creative skill practised by one professional group. It is about having a vision, understanding the benefits of careful design and planning, and making appropriate funds available. It starts with seeing a project in its complete social and environmental context, collecting views from all parties concerned or affected, and finding a way to enable the several parties to contribute to a successful conclusion.

"The best buildings arise from a creative dialogue between the planning authority, the client, the architect and other key professionals involved."

Francis Golding, Building In Context, CABE, English Heritage 2001

Northern Architecture wants to promote a wider cultural appreciation of good design in the North East, and celebrate good design when it happens.

Just what is good design?

Watch out in a new Resources section for a growing library of good practice in the North East, some basic documents on good design and how to achieve it, and links to key publications, organisations and further information. In the mean time see the links page of the site for links to CABE and other organisations.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Tell us about your visions, projects, successes, so we can tell everybody else.

Whether you are an organisation or an individual, register your interest in our work by sending us your details and opinions. We will add you to our mailing list for events but also let you know of any projects happening in your area.