Abstract

This research project, funded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), aimed to investigate the feasibility of establishing an architecture centre in Hull. This was done through an analysis of the social, physical and economic situation, the development of a programme and the legal and financial structures appropriate to support it, by: analysing perceived need through interaction with Local Authorities, community groups, educational providers, and regeneration agencies such as Citybuild and Yorkshire Forward; identifying and engaging cross sector regional partners in order to demonstrate that an architecture centre in Hull was viable; analysing existing architecture centres and considering their particular organisational structure, programmes and legal frameworks; developing a sustainable business model through an analysis of possible funding streams; proposing an outline programme. My particular role in the above was in building cross sector support, analysing the structures and programmes of existing centres, co-authoring the business model and programme outline and as co- editor, with I Colquhoun and SR Hay, of the final research report. The research addressed the social and environmental condition of the city of Hull, a city with a high degree of social deprivation, and in places a very poor physical environment. Analysis showed that although many people and organisations, including senior decision makers wished for better design, they often did not know what that might be, how to go about getting it or how to influence change. Having identified these issues the report proposed how they might usefully be addressed. CABE accepted the analysis and invited the research team to further develop its proposals in the form of a funding bid. Dissemenation CABE; Hull Cityventure, Yorkshire Forward; Evidence of Esteem; Conclusions accepted by CABE in full. Team invited to develop proposal.