The Infrastructure Podcast: Episode 67

Guest:  Clare Donnelly, director at architecture practice Fereday Pollard and NIC Design Panel member

Architecture for better infrastructure

In today's podcast we talk about the role that architecture can - and must - play in delivering better design outcomes from our infrastructure investment. 

It is a subject that we have discussed before on the podcast, notably with architect Harbinder Birdi who is currently leading work with the Institution of Civil Engineers to promote, and in many ways “re-birth” the role of design champions as central figures in the delivery of major infrastructure projects. 

It is a role set out by the 2020 National Infrastructure Strategy and reinforced by the National Infrastructure Commission which said board-level design champions were crucial to gaining better outcomes from our public investment. And without doubt it is a subject which is gaining traction.

In short, good design matters. With huge pressure to turn limited funds into better economic, social and environmental outcomes, every infrastructure professional must now do more than simply play lip-service to the notion that good design matters. 

It has to be the fundamental driver behind every investment decision and be linked implicitly to creating those vital better social, economic and environment outcomes that flow.

So let’s find out what that’s is really like at the sharp end. My guest today is Clare Donnelly, director at architecture practice Fereday Pollard and notably, the architect driving better design on major infrastructure programs such as the Tideway project and the Lower Thames Crossing. Clare is also a member of the National Infrastructure Commission Design Group, so I think will be very well placed to shed some light on what’s going right in our approach to design and where we could do better.

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