Bob Allies, renowned architect and co-founder of the architectural practice Allies and Morrison, has been appointed as Architect in Residence to develop guidance for design excellence in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath.
The 18-month pilot scheme is an innovative collaboration between the University of Bath and Bath and North East Somerset Council, which also includes research and teaching commitments as a Professor of Architecture at the University.
A donation to fund the position has been generously provided by the Medlock Charitable Trust. The Trust is led by David Medlock D.L., a businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist and a former High Sheriff of Somerset, who holds the honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering from the University of Bath and was a Pro-Chancellor at the University for 11 years.
Mr Medlock said: “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 work with key stakeholders (including B&NES, UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites UK) to produce guidance for design excellence in Bath.
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 both the University and Bath and B&NES Council.
Bob Allies is renowned architect and co-founder of the Allies and Morrison architectural firm who has worked on many major developments and has a keen interest in how settlements of any scale can evolve by building on their historic form and identity.
He said: “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. 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, and I’m delighted to have been appointed as the first person to take up the role. I hope together we can make a difference, and I would like to think that this might, in the long term, provide a template for other towns and cities throughout the country.”
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: “It is fantastic to be able to launch the scheme and I am truly excited to see Bob Allies appointed to the role. 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, and protect the Outstanding Universal Values of this unique city. We should aspire for excellence in design, which is so much more than functional, low maintenance and inoffensive, which is what could happen in the absence of good design guidance.
“I would like to thank both David Medlock for his very generous donation, as well as Professor Barry Gilbertson, the previous chair of the advisory board, and all those colleagues here and at B&NES who have worked to make this possible.”
Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “I want to welcome Bob Allies to Bath & North East Somerset and to this innovative new role. The UNESCO World Heritage status we enjoy is the highest possible heritage accolade that the city can achieve. Bob joins others, including Professor Marion Harney who was recently appointed as the new chair of the World Heritage Advisory Board and Enhancement Fund, to work with the council, the university and other key stakeholders to help balance the needs of a UNESCO World Heritage city with the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors into the future.”
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 partnership between the University and B&NES 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 B&NES region.
