“It’s been a year of change for OPUN, as we’ve adapted to the changing landscape we are now operating in. By securing charitable status last summer, we’ve put ourselves on a firm footing to continue to deliver an important service across the region. And the positive endorsement just recently of design in the new National Planning Policy Framework is great news for us as we continue to champion our services.”

“So what does the 2012/13 year have in store? Well, OPUN’s board has recently approved our business plan. This places an increasing focus on supporting local authorities and communities in developing neighbourhood plans and bringing forward well designed schemes to create sustainable buildings, places and spaces for us all.

“Through our design review panel, we will continue to offer practical, hands on support and advice to people involved in planning and development. Another area of work will be on arts delivery programmes. Through increased collaboration with local authorities, schools and community groups, our aim is to support more people about the importance of art in the built environment so there is a perception about the benefits it can bring.

“An area we’re also branching out into is procurement. More of our clients are asking for advice on how to bring in built environment and design expertise at an early stage in their projects. We’re using the design review panel as a platform to offer this support.

“No doubt it will be another interesting year for us, and I look forward to working once again with a dedicated team, our supportive partners and clients.

“We are always keen to hear of any opportunites where we can collaborate with partners through reciprocal sponsorship arrangements. Please keep in touch if you have any ideas you would like to discuss.”
Julie can be contacted on julie@opun.org.uk .

For more information on this news feature, please contact Clare Farley at Eden PR on 0115 958 8850 or clare@edenpr.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

About OPUN

OPUN was set up in 2002 to create better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces across the East Midlands. OPUN is part of the Architecture Centre Network and is hosted by Leicester De Montfort University. As part of its Design Support Service, OPUN runs one of eight Design Review Panels affiliated to Design Council, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

It also works with built environment and regeneration professionals, officers and elected members of local authorities, via a design best practice training, networking, conference and arts development programme.
To find out more about OPUN, its staff and services, visit www.OPUN.org.uk ; follow us on Twitter @OPUNtweets ; find us on LinkedIn by searching on OPUN.

OPUN is always keen to hear of any opportunites to collaborate with partners through reciprocal sponsorship arrangements. Contact Chief Executive Julie Tanner (julie@opun.org.uk) to discuss any ideas.

OPUN Architecture East Midlands Ltd is a registered charity 1143920.

In this series of features, we introduce you to these individuals so you can get to know more about who is behind the OPUN brand. This time round, it’s Design Director Nils Feldmann who is in the spotlight. Nils works for Marchini Curran Associates in Nottingham, and he first got involved in OPUN in 2007 due to frustrations with the UK planning system.

“I’m German by background, and have worked extensively within the build environment industry – both in my native country and in London. When I came to Nottingham in 2001, it became apparent quite quickly that Local Authorities rarely have the expertise in house to fully judge the quality of buildings and spaces in the city could be improved.

“I wanted to make a difference, and to draw on my own experiences. The planning system and urban design approach in Northern Europe is very different to here, and I felt that my knowledge would ultimately bring a different perspective to the table. I first came across OPUN in 2007 when I was engaged as a guest lecturer at De Montfort University’s Leicester School of Architecture, and was appointed as a design review panel member in 2009.

“Since then, I’ve been involved in numerous different schemes, most recently for one in rural Leicestershire. It’s been great to see how the team involved in this particular project went away after the initial meeting and carried out further creative design work to improve the scheme to ensure the development meets a community’s needs and aspirations.”

“From my perspective, it’s a real privilege to be able to work with open minded local authorities, developers, consultants and communities who are receptive to an independent peer review of their proposals. It will certainly be very interesting to see how the new planning rules translate into practice, as sustainable development means very different things to different people. With OPUN’s help, we can continue to help more people engage with the planning system, bringing wider benefits for all.”

For more information on this news feature, please contact Clare Farley at Eden PR on 0115 958 8850 or clare@edenpr.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

About OPUN

OPUN was set up in 2002 to create better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces across the East Midlands. OPUN is part of the Architecture Centre Network and is hosted by Leicester De Montfort University. As part of its Design Support Service, OPUN runs one of eight Design Review Panels affiliated to Design Council, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

It also works with built environment and regeneration professionals, officers and elected members of local authorities, via a design best practice training, networking, conference and arts development programme.
To find out more about OPUN, its staff and services, visit www.OPUN.org.uk ; follow us on Twitter @OPUNtweets ; find us on LinkedIn by searching on OPUN.

OPUN is always keen to hear of any opportunites to collaborate with partners through reciprocal sponsorship arrangements. Contact Chief Executive Julie Tanner (julie@opun.org.uk) to discuss any ideas.

OPUN Architecture East Midlands Ltd is a registered charity 1143920.

OPUN, the Architecture Centre for the East Midlands (based at De Montfort University in Leicester), welcomes the release of the guidance which has been anticipated for some time. It will mean clarity on how to achieve better places and spaces across the region that meet the needs of the local population.

Julie Tanner, Chief Executive, said: “OPUN has always believed that strong design and community involvement is crucial to the success of any development. We’re pleased that the new framework published recognises this and effectively endorses our design review and neighbourhood planning services.

“Being involved at an early stage in planning proposals means there’s a greater opportunity to address any issues, speed up delivery, ensure value for money and maximise the wider social and economic benefits. There will always be some who believe the changes don’t go far enough or that elements have been lost from the previous system. We need to emerge from what has gone before and assist the transition into this new system.

“We would argue that local authorities, developers, consultants and any other groups seeking design and planning advice can strike the right balance with independent, expert and affordable advice that brings the many different and often emotive views together.

“Neighbourhoods are places, and places are made up from the elements that make our homes and places of leisure, work and stimulation. Planning has design at the core of its purpose. In stretched times, OPUN is well placed to offer the independent support needed to stimulate change for the better. The Framework has confirmed our role in that system.”

For an interview or further comments and views from Julie Tanner on this important issue, please contact Clare Farley at Eden PR 0115 958 8850 clare@edenpr.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter @OPUNtweets ; find us on LinkedIn by searching on OPUN.

OPUN Architecture East Midlands Ltd is a registered charity 1143920.

OPUN, the architecture centre in the East Midland, invited their expert panel for an event focusing on neighbourhoods and the emerging National Planning Policy Framework. The event was held at De Montfort University and saw over 40 panel members, enablers and OPUN team members convene for a day of seminars, discussions, presentations and workshops. Clive Keble chaired the event, with presentations given by Julie Tanner, Becky Elson, Chris Twomey, Garry Hall and Sue McGlynn.

Presentations & Workshops

Clive Keble, the event Chair and OPUN Panel member gave a presentation covering the reforms to the planning system being undertaken within the context of the NPPF. Julie Tanner, OPUN Chief Executive, talked through how OPUN is responding to changes in both planning and design and on OPUN’s current projects and successes. Chris Twomey, Chair of OPUN’s Design Review Panel, talked about the benefits of design quality. And finally, Sue McGlynn spoke about the principles and practices of good training and what it means going forward.

After the presentations and discussion sessions, delegates were divided into groups to participate in four themed workshop sessions. Each session lasted 15 minutes after which delegates moved round to the next topic table. The four themes were:

1. Learning and Training
2. Arts and the Public Realm
3. Design Support
4. Enabling and Neighbourhoods

You can read the outcomes and recommendations in the full report, available to download here. Below are the presentations from the day:

On 6 March 2012, OPUN held a community-led Design Review in Belper, Derbyshire with the benefit of a small grant from Design Council Cabe.The key difference to a conventional Design Review was through the active participation of community representatives. The Panel was chaired by Chris Twomey, and Panel Members were Heather Emery and Fiona Heron.

The Review focussed directly on exploring the views, aspirations and expectations of the community and was participative in debating the impacts of development options on Land between the A6 and the River Derwent, Belper.The Review findings will be submitted as part of  a current consultation process on an Issues & Options Report.

This work will also be considered by Design Council Cabe alongside other examples to examine the usefulness of this approach to the wider Neighbourhood Planning agenda.

For more information, or to book a design review, contact Dharmista Patel.

OPUN’s design support and review schemes are vital in providing independent built environment expertise and advice to local authorities, developers and communities. These services mean that the buildings and places created across the towns, cities and rural areas of the East Midlands meet the social, environmental and economic aspirations of local people.

OPUN’s offer to EMC member will enable councils to secure independent design advice throughout the year on plans to manage and develop local land and buildings. Each authority will have access to two full design reviews to make sure that ambitions for a specific development have given due consideration to their impact on an area.

Ongoing access to training and advice also form part of the package, so councils can maximise the input of local communities in shaping the places and spaces they work and live in. The OPUN/EMC scheme will run from 1^st April 2012 for 12 months, costing £3,500.

Research by Design Council Cabe has shown that poorly designed buildings and places often lead to anti-social behaviour and further cost implications down the line for the taxpayer. Many believe that good design can, and is playing, a crucial role in the social and economic renewal of the East Midlands.

Julie Tanner, OPUN’s Chief Executive, said: “It’s really important that during these times of austerity, good design doesn’t get overlooked. We’re already seeing budget cuts leading to redundancies within local authority design teams, as well as a radical overhaul by Government of the current planning system.

“With all this change, there is an increased risk of badly designed schemes slipping through local planning processes. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen, which is why we’ve been working with EMC to introduce this new package of support.” OPUN has successfully delivered design support and review services in the East Midlands since 2002. These are affiliated to Design Council Cabe, which was recently reviewed by Government via the Bishop Review. This endorsed the importance of design review, and made a strong case in terms of how design should be built into the new planning system.

Andrew Pritchard, Director of Strategy at EMC, said: “The National Planning Policy Framework when published in 2012 is likely to encourage design review as part of the planning application process. We want to make sure that local authorities across the region are ahead of the game, so we’re delighted to be working with OPUN in offering this important service to our members.”

OPUN plans to roll out this model of design support out to other sectors later this year, in particular to social housing providers.

Julie added: “We’ve identified a need to introduce better design support to housing associations and registered social landlords and other organisations working in this field. Our longer term goal is to make sure that we can offer assistance to sectors that wish to support the delivery of better places for people to live, and with OPUN’s help this can be achieved through the design process.”

OPUN is located at De Montfort University, and is a charity which exists to improve the quality of building design across the East Midlands and create better, sustainable and prosperous places. EMC is the representative and consultative forum for all 46 authorities in the region. It provides support to Councils to improve their services and is a strong voice for the East Midlands, and is based in Melton Mowbray. The Bishop Review, commissioned by Government, was led by Peter Bishop, visiting professor in Architecture and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University.

For more information, visit www.opun.org.uk or www.designcouncil.org.uk ; full details about the Bishop Review are available here .

About OPUN

OPUN was set up in 2002 to create better quality neighbourhoods, buildings and public spaces across the East Midlands. OPUN is part of the Architecture Centre Network and is hosted by Leicester De Montfort University. As part of its Design Support Service, OPUN runs one of eight Design Review Panels affiliated to Design Council, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

It also works with built environment and regeneration professionals, officers and elected members of local authorities, via a design best practice training, networking, conference and arts development programme.

Follow us on Twitter @OPUNtweets ; find us on LinkedIn by searching on OPUN.
OPUN Architecture East Midlands Ltd is a registered charity 1143920.

About EMC

East Midlands Councils is a consultative forum for local government in the East Midlands. Further information can be found on www.emcouncils.gov.uk.

Neil Hodgkin was seeking support for his organisation’s vision of constructing 50 Straw Bale houses as part of an environmentally friendly, semi-rural eco-community in the heart of the city.  The scheme is potentially the largest social housing developing project in England.   Through OPUN he engaged Farida Makki, OPUN Design Support Enabler and architect, to help create vision and a visual representation of the scheme as an advocacy and development tool.  He was in need of creative support to develop his vision into something that would inspire yet also reassure statutory agencies and funding bodies that this innovative approach is a viable method of construction and of creating a community.  Neil has received plaudits and support from central government and the Homes and Communities Agencies. The benefits of creative input in particular gave Neil a new confidence to discuss his plans with built environment professionals ‘on an even footing’.  He has been able to confidently engage Leicester’s universities in developing technical building issues.  The creative visualisation is able to start development discussions with groups hitherto unengaged and is confident of securing significant funding for the project.

CDPStrawbale Bungalow – plan

CDPstrawbale site layout

OPUN enabled the Academy and photographer/digital artist Paula Moss to plan the use of new space resulting from the restoration of the 1907 octagonal gallery and surrounding courtyard.  Paula supported the students to engage the architect, local and international arts organisations as well as the local community to develop programming and curatorial vision for the new gallery space. Students are using these links to review and curate contemporary exhibitions in the gallery as part of their Silver Arts Award and feel that their experiences have been greatly enhance through working with an artist in this setting.  They felt that working with an artist was a hugely positive experience, encouraging them to think in new ways, allowing them to make their own decisions, take risks and learn more about the real world.  It also gave them valuable insights into their own skills and how teams work best by utilising specialisms.  The school view the outcomes to be transformative and lasting.  They find that they are engaging more people from the local community in the life of the school as a result of the effects of the project.

OPUN enabled artist Walter Jack and students at Lady Manners School to design a new outdoor space.  This was achieved through a series of workshops with the students who created a specification for Walter to design.  The school subsequently raised £19k to make this concept design a reality. Walter worked with the students themselves and with the school’s construction company to complete the prototype and build the piece.  Walter helped delivered this shared vision, by creating a beautiful structure which is also a practical seating area for the students.

All those involved noted significant changes in how they approach problems, think in new ways, make decisions, work collaboratively and continually adjust expectations.  All agreed that the quality of the design and the build stage was made appreciatively better due to the genuine engagement of the students in the process.  The design was much more creative than they had anticipated and has inspired the school to work in this way again.  From the artist’s perspective significant learning was gained both in technical and material terms and opened up a whole new field of creative practice working with young people.

Session One, on the foundations of placemaking, featured presentations and discussion relating to urban design fundamentals. Workshop sessions applied these principles to schemes through the use of design checklists.

Session Two began to unpick the design process, from choosing a site through to developing a vision and then on to detailed design. Delegates were shown the design process undertaken prior to its submission to the planning process. Workshops focussed on site appraisal and understanding how the conditions on the ground support design decision making.

Session Three brought it all together, with delegates developing their own scheme from visioning through to design. This was then presented, ‘Dragons Den’ style, for critical review. This format ensured that participants had a strong rationale for each design decision made, ensuring that each could be justified for the overall scheme.

The strong feedback received shows this format of learning worked extremely well, and we look forward to working with ELDC again the near future.