First Wessex Design Panels
Project Summary
Project Background
The Glass-House have worked with First Wessex Housing Association on numerous occasions and in early 2012 they approached us to deliver a new kind of training for their design panels. First Wessex Design Panel members comprise of residents and staff who review the plans and designs of new housing schemes in order to ensure they will suit the needs of residents and fit in with their surrounding context. Recommendations are made by these panels to First Wessex Directors and the Development Committee on all new development schemes.
Glass-House Involvement
The Glass-House developed a new two-day course which was appropriate for both staff and residents and helped them get to grips with design principles for homes and neighbourhood design. The course helped them to understand how to read plans and gave them robust methods and tools to assess new schemes. During the workshops, we explored the concepts that can create a good neighbourhood to live in. We also went out on a study visit to see some completed schemes and assess them in light of the groups’ new understanding (Read a blog about the activities of the training course here).
Community Involvement
Project Support Outcomes
Working with Housing Association staff and residents together was an excellent way to help them understand each other’s concerns and priorities. Over the course of the two-day training participants worked with each other and built up a shared understanding and language. This will really help them in the future when working together to assess housing schemes. The tools we gave the group helped them to understand that design doesn’t have to be a subjective topic - by using agreed principles and assessment categories, it can almost become a science. This will make it much easier to reach consensus about future housing schemes proposed by First Wessex. Participants gained confidence in their ability to challenge new schemes being proposed and demand high quality design standards.
Response from the Group
“Those who attended were really enthusiastic about your training and can’t wait for the next one!”
John Macklin, Regional Development Manager
Latest Update from the Group
Group Supported
First Wessex
Group Location
Eastleigh, Hampshire
http://www.firstwessex.org/main.cfm
Project Category
Homes
Neighbourhoods
Project Features
How The Glass-House helped
Project Support Outcomes
Project Support Dates
April 2012
Other Glass-House Support
Glass-House Enabler
Matt Lally
We had an excellent day and the places we visited were amazingly close to what we are trying to create here in Stockwell. I am grateful for your acute interest in what we have to say
Can I once again thank Glass-House for all their help and interest. You are an excellent organisation – and the staff are lovely as well!”
The training experience was extremely enjoyable and very informative. We have come away with a design which we feel we can put into reality and the training was probably the best I have attended.
The course was excellent and I can't thank you and Glass-House enough for the support you've given us, it has made all the difference to the way we look at the project."
