Panel

  • Tom Bell

    Tom Bell

    Ba (Hons), MArch, PGDip, ARB, RIBA

    Ridge & Partners LLP

    Tom is a Chartered Architect at Ridge & Partners LLP, the RIBA Wessex Regional Chair, and was shortlisted for the RIBAJ Rising Stars being described as a ‘rare balance of big ideas and drive’. Representing 2600+ members across the Region, Tom has established an array of initiatives that champion design excellence, advocates and upskills on climate literacy, and working with client groups, policy-leaders and central government promotes policy-led improvements; from planning to procurement; to facilitate better buildings and outcomes. Within his day job, Tom is an Architect at Ridge & Partners LLP, a multi-disciplinary practice with 800+ property and construction professionals nationwide, an AJ100 and Building Magazine Top 20 Building Consultancy. Working predominantly between the Bristol and their Cheltenham office, Tom is part of the project team for the £2.6bn Gigaplant in Blyth - a UK first, and the fourth largest building in the country - alongside a number of more regionally-focused commercial, office, healthcare and residential projects. Tom values working for a multi-disciplinary practice as he considers collaboration to be key to challenging the Climate, Biodiversity and Ecological Emergencies, facilitating sustainable innovation across disciplines, and to design and deliver better buildings for clients, occupants and future generations.

    Climate, Health, Housing, People & Place, Strategic Development

  • Rob Beswick

    Rob Beswick

    BA Landscape Arch, Dip LA, CMLI

    B|D Landscape Architects

    Through a broad and diverse background Rob has worked on a range of internationally acclaimed and award-winning projects for design practices in Bath, Bristol, London and Chicago. As founder and director of B|D Landscape Architects Rob’s interest lies in innovative contemporary landscape design that leaves a sustainable legacy for the future. Rob is a Landscape Institute Committee member for Awards & Competitions, External Examiner and visiting Lecturer for Leeds Beckett University, a Trustee for the Cheltenham Design Foundation and a Design Council Expert.

    Housing, Landscape, People & Place

  • Juliet Bidgood

    Juliet Bidgood

    MA Dip Arch RIBA

    Chair

    Juliet Bidgood

    Juliet Bidgood is an architect/urban designer and RIBA Client Adviser. She is experienced in working with communities, enterprises and organisations to envision and shape engaging places. She is expert in design policy, design for public buildings and spaces, and residential neighbourhoods. A design review panel chair since 2010 Juliet led the co-design of the West of England Placemaking Charter. Formerly a senior government advisor at CABE and founding member of the award-winning collaborative practice muf Architecture/Art.

    Inclusive Design, People & Place, Strategic Development

  • Catherine Birkin

    Catherine Birkin

    MLA, CMLI

    LDA Design

    A chartered landscape architect with over twenty years’ professional experience, Cath has worked in leading practices in the UK and Australia on a diverse portfolio, from significant urban realm to site-sensitive planting designs. Cath believes in enriching our landscapes and public realm as part of a genuine placemaking process. Her approach is founded on an understanding of people, context and nature to create meaningful places which engage their communities, are memorable and endure over time.

    Landscape

  • Graham Bizley

    Graham Bizley

    BArch BSc(Hons)

    Prewett Bizley Architects

    Graham is a director of Prewett Bizley Architects, a practice specializing in low-energy and low-carbon residential design. He is a part-time teaching fellow at the University of Bath and is a visiting reviewer at various UK schools of Architecture. He is a regular contributor to the architectural press and the author of two books on architectural detailing.

    Climate, Density, Heritage, Housing, People & Place, Strategic Development

  • Georgina Bolton

    Georgina Bolton

    MA

    Bristol City Council / Freelance Arts Producer and Consultant

    Georgina is an experienced Arts Producer and Consultant specialising in public realm projects across the arts, heritage and built environment sectors. Previously at Situations and Trust New Art, she is now Public Art Officer for Bristol City Council, collaborating across teams to strategise, secure and manage cultural investment for Bristol’s public realm via the planning system, advocating for the transformative role that arts and culture plays in our everyday lives. Georgina is a Trustee of Terrestrial UK and a Lecturer on UWE’s MA/MFA Curating programme.

    Heritage, People & Place, Strategic Development

  • Adriana Bonilla Barragan

    Adriana Bonilla Barragan

    MSc UD-Arq-Part II (ARB, RIBA exemption)

    Thrive Architects

    Adriana is an urban designer with a background in architecture. She has over 25 years of experience delivering design quality through masterplans and urban design projects of various scales and complexity. Adriana’s work involves creating compelling development visions and masterplans that can become successful places that benefit all. She believes in the value of good quality holistic design that can only be achieved through collaboration, a robust understanding of context and the economic and development process.

    Density, Housing, People & Place, Strategic Development

  • Tom Brown

    Tom Brown

    MSc, BSc (Hons), BREEAM AP, CIBSE LCC & LCEA, CEnv

    Hoare Lea

    Since joining Hoare Lea as a Graduate in 2013, Tom has gained over 9 year’s experience as a Sustainability Consultant. Tom has led on a range of project typologies of varying scales, with a focus on office and residential development in the South West region, particularly Bristol. Tom now leads a team of consultants across Hoare Lea offices in Bristol and Cardiff, striving to deliver best in class sustainable assets. Tom joined the Design West panel in 2022.

    Climate

  • Matt Brown

    Matt Brown

    BA (Hons), MArch, ARB

    Bristol City Council

    Matt Brown is an Architect and Development Manager with a history of working across art, architecture, planning, development, and urban design. He currently works in the public sector as a Development Manager in Bristol City Council's Housing Delivery Team. He has previously worked for Croydon Council, East, public works, Alex Schweder, and Freehaus, and is skilled in design, fabrication, development management, teaching, and policy development.

    Housing, People & Place, Strategic Development