About Design West
Design West brings together the best expertise from across the built and natural environment sectors. Independent and not-for-profit we work collaboratively with the development sector and decision-makers to shape better places.
The Architecture Centre has joined forces with Creating Excellence to extend our services across the entire South West, with bases in Bristol and Exeter.
We provide design review, policy support, consultation and training for the South West. Find out how we can support you.
Meet The Team
Julie Tanner
julie.tanner@designwest.org.ukHead of Planning & Design South West
Julie Tanner BSc, DipTP MRTPI manages the Design Review Service for the South West & is based near Exeter.
Julie is a chartered Town Planner with a background in economic development. She combines a passion for architecture & urban design with a specialism in placemaking, & believes a design-led method will support better quality places through the planning system. Julie is an active RTPI Regional Activities Board Member for the South West & is a member of the High Street Task Force.
Julie specialises in working with large-scale new communities, infrastructure & public realm projects as well as individual buildings of strategic importance & aims to support efforts to ensure planners can be braver & bolder in shaping future places.Pippa Goldfinger
pippa.goldfinger@designwest.org.ukHead of Design
Pippa Goldfinger BEng, MSc, programmes our monthly public talks & manages the Design Review Service for Bristol, B&NES & North Somerset.
Pippa is passionate about shaping better places for people. She originally graduated in Civil Engineering with Architecture & enjoys working alongside architects & other built environment professionals creating exhibitions & events which illuminate the work that they do.
With a background in urbanism & an MSc in Urban Planning, Pippa is interested in bringing forward best practice in planning & urban design through harnessing professional design skills & combining them with innovative community engagement. She is a member of the Academy of Urbanism & previously served as a Town Councillor & Mayor of the award-winning Frome Town Council. In 2022 Pippa was made an Honorary Fellow of the RIBA in recognition of her contribution to Architecture.
Favourite building: The awe-inspiring interior of the Pantheon in Rome (concrete can last for ever!) but also the beautiful domestic design of my grandparents’ house 2 Willow Road.
Testimonials
Kevin Hunt, Director – JLLDesign West has proven extremely beneficial. The Design Review panel is run effectively and the panel members have good subject knowledge and insight which has aided our proposals as we’ve moved through the planning process.
Jon Severs, City Design Group Manager – Bristol City CouncilDesign West have provided high quality design review to Bristol for over 14 years. They act as a critical friend helping to evaluate the design & placemaking quality of schemes coming forward. The professionalism & experience of panellists combined with their deep understanding of the City & the challenges it faces mean that reviews are constructive, realistic & relevant.
Chris Beaver, Director – Planning SphereI would not hesitate to recommend Design West. We presented a conceptual redevelopment scheme to the panel & received a range of really helpful & insightful comments. The organisation of the event, site visit & initial review meeting were conducted in a friendly & professional manner. We will now reflect upon the advice received & work this into the next iteration of our emerging scheme.