Photograph by Valerie Bennet, NY Times


LINKS:
- Royal Institute of British Architects
- Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architects
- Tobacco Factory

George Ferguson
Regeneration by Design
14 May 08
Watershed Media Centre, Bristol

In association with West of England Design Forum

Successful regeneration is not a quotient of the size of a development, but of the quality, the mix, and the atmosphere. This requires well informed ‘design’ that is nothing to do with style but everything to do with observation and an intelligent and creative response to the needs and opportunities that a place offers. Regeneration is best measured by the level of activity that it generates and is only to do with buildings in so far as those buildings enable the activity.

Ferguson, who has been active in many Bristol developments, as well as being a recent President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, illustrates his argument with examples of what he calls real regeneration as opposed to the bland monocultures apparently so loved by the corporate development world.