Bath has appointed its first architect in residence as part of a pilot scheme to ensure “design excellence” across the city.
Bob Allies, co-founder of architectural practice Allies and Morrison, has been chosen for the role following a £60,000 donation from Medlock Charitable Trust.
He will be responsible for developing design guidance as well as having research and teaching commitments as a professor of architecture at the University of Bath.
The 18-month pilot is a collaboration between the university and Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council.
Mr Allies said he hoped the scheme could provide a “template” for other towns and cities in the UK.
“This is such a far-sighted initiative, putting architecture and urbanism at the top of the agenda through the appointment of an architect-in-residence,” he said. “The council’s commitment to achieve the highest quality of design not just in the World Heritage Site and its setting but in the wider region of north-east Somerset is really significant.”
Entrepreneur and former High Sheriff of Somerset David Medlock, who leads the Medlock Trust, added: “The city and the university mean a great deal to me. I’m proud to support this initiative, which will protect the outstanding universal values of this double-inscribed World Heritage Site.”
The architect in residence will hold a Medlock Fellowship and will work with stakeholders including the local authority, UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites UK.
Another major part of the role will be outreach activities related to the city of Bath, including helping to develop national and international partnerships for the university and the council.
Professor Marion Harney, from the University of Bath’s Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering and chair of the Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Board, said: “Bath is a wonderful, beautiful place and I believe that the architect in residence will have the opportunity to make a major contribution to Bath for years to come.”
The architect in residence will not be involved in the local authority’s planning process to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. If the initial pilot scheme is successful, then it could be extended, the university has said.
The partnership between the university and BANES council follows the recent announcement of a Civic Agreement between the two organisations as well as fellow anchor institutions Bath Spa University and Royal United Hospitals Bath, to work together on improving the wellbeing of the region.