Scott Brownrigg’s’ Design Research Unit (DRU) is evolving and has launched an external Design Review Panel service to Local Authorities.

The DRU Review Panel is committed to improving and enhancing sustainable communities through the process of constructive critical analysis.

It aims to bring multi-disciplinary teams together to advise and assist in the assessment of designs submitted for pre-planning and planning applications. Providing impartial advice that is based upon collective experience and expertise in evaluating appropriateness within the built environment.

Each project will be assessed through collective dialogue that is research and evidence based, which takes into account best and future practice, is objective, and uses the broadest base of value criteria.

With current social distancing measures in place, the DRU Review Panel can efficiently deliver services through remote design appraisals and virtual workshops.

Quick turnaround and the use of an external resource that can be called upon as and when necessary are all direct benefits to Local Authority Planning departments.

Neil MacOmish, Board Director at Scott Brownrigg who heads up the Design Research Unit said:

“The key objective of the DRU Review Panel is to challenge, support and applaud as necessary any proposals brought forward through the planning process. We believe that the process of testing, evaluation and discourse is a proven method of generating projects that are better considered, richer in programme and purpose and add the greatest value to the communities, locations and the context they are intended to serve. We believe this service could greatly assist Local Authorities in this key area”

Neil MacOmish, Board Director

The new service offering reinforces the collective expertise of Design Research Unit’s rich and colorful history.  Founded in 1942 by Herbert Read, Misha Black and Milner Gray, Design Research Unit was the first consultancy to combine expertise in architecture, graphics and industrial design and was responsible for some of the most important design produced in post-war Britain from the identities for British Rail, Courage Brewery and ICI, to significant work for the London Transport Executive and Westminster’s street signs, and a number of interiors for the P&O Orient Line’s new liner the Oriana. 

Since 2004 Design Research Unit has been an integral part of Scott Brownrigg, raising the standard of our work with leading-edge thinking, research and collaboration and is responsible for internal design reviews on all Scott Brownrigg projects.  The Unit is currently working on research to minimise the spread of contagion through design and its ideas have featured in The Guardian, Sky News and on Radio 4.

The DRU Review Panel was recently part of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel in New York providing strategic design reviews for a potential new sporting stadium in the Bronx. The review covers the impact the development will have on the local community and neighbourhood and the enhanced connectivity the stadium will bring to the local area.

For further details on the new DRU Review Panel contact Neil MacOmish  - n.macomish@scottbrownrigg.com or designresearchunit@scottbrownrigg.com