The initial concept for Barrow-by-Design was developed over a five year period by Art Gene, gradually taking shape out of our collaborative research residencies with artists and architects and ongoing conversations with Borough Council officers.

Top image: Piel Castle on Piel Island, one of the islands of Barrow

Following Art Gene’s proposals regarding how a high quality design process could improve capital works throughout the borough, the council commissioned us to work on a series of seven Barrow-by-Design pilot projects. These were selected to cover a range of key initiatives identified by the Borough Council and its regeneration partners and included projects within planning, regeneration and community services.

 

Image gallery below:
Concept design by Stuart Bastik for Ramsden Business Park, a Barrow-by-Design pilot projects

Shop front regeneration, a Barrow-by-Design pilot project. Designs by Maddi Nicholson

Detail from the original Islands of Barrow map, by Stuart Bastik. Now available as a series of 5: the Morecambe Bay Seldom Seen™ Series of Maps

The Barrow-by-Design selection process encouraged critical discussion across departments and secured a commitment to, and acknowledgement that high quality design can help with economic regeneration. We agreed a practical, design-focused process to help the council and its partners deliver high quality design and creative community engagement.

The aim of Barrow-by-Design was to have Barrow recognized both nationally and internationally as being an example of good practice in urban design, and to see it recognized as a local authority that prioritizes local distinctiveness in delivering quality design in regeneration and place making. (Find out more in Further Reading below).

Image gallery below:
Public consultation event on Peil Island, (with One Day All of This Will Be Yours, an artwork by associate artist Jo Ray)

Concept design by Stuart Bastik for Ramsden Business Park, a Barrow-by-Design pilot projects

Maddi Nicholson (and the Art Gene team) executing a shop front regeneration, a Barrow-by-Design pilot project

 

Image below (footer):
Artwork detail from the original Islands of Barrow map, by Stuart Bastik.
Now available as part 1 of the series of 5: the Morecambe Bay Seldom Seen™ Series of Maps