The 60 Second Interview.

This is the fifth in our series of 60 Second Interviews. They are a regular opportunity to find out a little more about the projects and activities of one of the UK Architecture Centres.

Frances Downie, Director at Shape East is interviewed by Roseanne McClean.

Where is your centre based and what geographical area do you cover?

Shape-East is the Architecture and Built Environment Centre for the East of England. Our office is in Cambridge, recently we’ve worked on projects in Huntingdonshire, Ipswich and Peterborough.

Can you tell us about your way of working? (objectives, target groups, main areas of activity)

Our charitable mission is to “help people make better places”.

We achieve this through promoting excellence in the planning, design and construction of our built and natural surroundings.

We run a creative education programme for decision makers, professionals and the public. We also work with ‘hard to reach groups’ who are in danger of exclusion. Our main activities are: workshops, seminars and our own version of ‘planning for real’ activities across the region.

We are an outreach organisation- we go where our audiences are- in town halls, village halls, schools and youth clubs. Our programmes involve these groups in creative activities that address design, cultural and technical issues.

Our sessions also introduce built environment professionals as role models and career choices.

Our region is scattered with ancient market towns and ports with the fastest growing population in the country. There are plans to build another 478,000 dwellings by 2021. It is also the region most at risk of severe flooding from rising sea levels caused by global warming. The number of existing historic buildings and heritage sites, plans for growth and climate change inform our theme of the 'juxtaposition of old and new' referring both to communities, buildings, places and the climate in which they live.

Can you tell us about a project that demonstrates this way of working?

The Ramsey Abbey College Zero Carbon Development Project took place between July 2007 and February 2008. It was funded by Huntingdonshire District Council and EU Leader + funding. Delivered in partnership with masterplanners QuBE , the project aimed to give Abbey College students an insight into the planning process and an understanding of carbon neutral development. This was achieved through sessions with visiting experts (architects, planners, developers) and excursions to inspirational case studies, including the Honingham Earth Shelter Social Housing Scheme in Norfolk.

The students involved obtained a good understanding of the importance of Low Carbon developments and economically, socially and economically sustainable communities. They produced materials and proposals, which were publicly displayed. The students ran two public consultations on their ideas and were able to analyse the results from these to feedback into the design of a Concept Masterplan. Through presenting their project to local Council members from the Development Control Panel, the students were able to get their views and opinions heard by local decision makers.

Results from the public consultations highlighted local support for new development in Ramsey, dependant on a commitment to environmental sustainability and an increase in local provision of community facilities and transport links.

Who are you working with at the moment – funders/ partners / collaborators?

Currently running projects supported by:

• CABE
• Heritage Lottery Fund, Young Roots
• Cambridgeshire Horizons
• English Heritage
• Inspire East
• Cambridge City Council

Working in partnership with:

• Cambridge City Council
• Peterborough City Council
• Campaign to Protect Rural England

Collaborating with:

• Local film makers
• Local architects and built environment professionals

Developing projects with:

• The University of Cambridge
• Cambridgshire Film Trust

What are you excited about for Shape-East in 2008?

In 2008 Shape is expanding its work through the region. Kicking off with the RSA lecture in Peterborough, with Jason prior of EDAW, we will be working on several projects in the city. These include a pilot for designing and building temporary structures for The Great Eastern Run, development of an Architectural Film Festival with Cambridge University, seminars and site visits across the region following our ‘juxtaposition of old and new’ theme…….. and our HLF funded Changing Places project working with young people in places of change.

Is there anything else you think people should know about Shape-East?

Shape East’s website is regularly updated with news about local events in East Anglia, making it the place to visit for those interested in architecture and the built environment. Visit the website for information for schools, the pubic and professionals alike.