10 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN REVIEW 2009 Design Council CABE, RIBA, RTPI and LI Design Review guidance
1) INDEPENDENT
It is conducted by people who are separate from the scheme promoter and the decision-maker and protects against conflicts of interest.
2) ACCOUNTABLE
It records and explains its advice and is transparent about potential conflicts of interest.
3) EXPERT
It is conducted by suitably trained people who are experienced in design and know to criticise constructively. Review is usually most respected where it is carried out by professional peers of the project designers, as their standing and expertise will be acknowledged.
4) ADVISORY
It does not make decisions. It acts as a source of impartial advice for decision-makers.
5) ACCESSIBLE
Its findings are expressed clearly in terms which decision-makers can use.
6) PROPORTIONATE
It is used on projects whose significance warrants the cost of providing Design Review advice. Other methods for assessing design quality should be used for less significant projects.
7) TIMELY
It takes place as early as possible in the life of a design because this saves the most time and changes cost less to make. If a planning application has already been made, it happens with the timeframe for considering it. And it is repeated when a further opinion is required.
8) OBJECTIVE
It appraises schemes in round according to hard objective design criteria rather than the stylistic tastes of individual panel members.
9) FOCUSSED ON OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE
It asks how this building or place can better meet the needs of the people using it, and the public at large who are affected by it.
10) FOCUSSED ON IMPROVING QUALITY
It seeks constructively to improve the quality of architecture, urban design, landscape, highway design, and town planning.
