 10
YEARS OF THE ARCHITECTURE CENTRE
Exhibition: Saturday 14 October – Sunday 26 November
2006
“The Architecture Centre in Bristol came out of a long
standing desire by local architects to have a place for discussion
and exhibition of how we might improve our built environment.
Its aim has always been to seek to raise standards of both buildings
and places by engaging a wide audience in such debates and thereby
raising expectations for a higher standard of design. As part
of this we hope all can share in an enjoyment of this ‘practical
art’ which has the potential to raise our spirits but often
fails to do so.
Over 10 years we feel we have begun to make a difference. We
have initiated discussions, held a diverse programme of exhibitions
and organised talks and visits to buildings. We have worked with
communities on masterplanning and open space projects and played
our part in architectural competitions. More recently we have
set up, under the auspices of creating:excellence, a Regional
Design Review Panel: a very direct intervention in the raising
of standards. We increasingly collaborate with partners in Bristol
and the wider region. We are by no means complacent but feel confident
that we have built a strong base from which to further develop
our work over the next 10 years.”
David Mellor, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Architecture
Centre, September 2006
To mark our tenth anniversary we are holding an exhibition celebrating
our activities and achievements since 1996. We will look at the
history of The Architecture Centre – how it all began, our
favourite projects, and what we have achieved. We will also consider
the national and international architecture and built environment
centres movement, the role of architecture centres in promoting
good design, and what’s next for The Architecture Centre.
For ten years we have focussed our efforts on:
• Artistic Programme. The Architecture Centre works with
artists and architects to explore architecture, design, sustainability
and the built environment through exhibitions, visits, lectures,
and debates.
• Education. We run a successful education programme, working
with young people from across the region to give them an understanding
of how buildings are designed and how the built environment has
an impact on our quality of life.
• Beyond the Centre we have worked on community consultation,
design competitions and other outreach projects.
• Design Review. We run the South West Design Review Panel,
which gives guidance on developments of regional significance.
• Our projects often result in publications and other resources,
aimed at all audiences, exploring different ways of looking at
architecture.
• The Architecture Centre shop features the latest architecture
and design books as well as gifts, cards, toys, and beautiful
jewellery. We strive to source products that are environmentally
sustainable, from companies that are ethically responsible.
10 Years of The Architecture Centre will showcase all this and
more - the best of the first decade of The Architecture Centre.
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