An independent masterplanner and designer
Creating neighbourhoods for new and existing communities
Masterplanning - Example: new settlement in the Midlands
Laying down the structure and organising principles for new urban growth.
Based on a pragmatic and organic approach to site specific characteristics;
and how to fit the local context.
The approaches allow for flexibility over time, are responsive to changing economic, environmental demands and the changing needs of people.
Notable neighbourhoods
All new neighbourhood designs are soon used, abused, and worn. But with the right champions they are also: lived in, cherished, repaired, adapted; and with hope, they become places for good memories.
There have been several new neighbourhoods that Paul has collaborated on including:-
- New Lubbesthorpe (for Mather Jamie and the Drummond Estate)
- Whitehouse Park, Milton Keynes Western Expansion (Gallagher Estates and the MKP)
- Lisburn, Belfast (Llewelyn-Davies for the Carvill Group)
- Portishead Quays West (Llewelyn-Davies for Crest Nicholson)
Old oak tree retained within the Whitehouse Park neighbourhood
From the drawing board
Decisions and actions today can take a long time to result in real places where communities can flourish. Within this context, masterplanning is part of the catalyst that leads to tens of thousands of follow up design decisions that make neighbourhoods. Recent contributions from Paul whist at Iceni Projects have been:-
- Horndon St Marys masterplan (Iceni Projects for EASL)
- Rochford and Southend strategic growth (Iceni Projects for Bellway)
- Upminster growth early concept plan (Iceni Projects for Mac Mic)
- Compass Park (Iceni Projects for the Masonic Charitable Foundation)
Setting out of a new main street with trees and hedges
a brief history
Key markers provide a chronology of, where Paul has been and where he is going. They indicate places of shared values, challenges and great conversation. All of these occur where teams, networks and stakeholders have made up more than the sum of their parts.
- Craftsperson, artist, builder (1982)
- Prince of Wales Summer School in Civic Architecture (1990)
- Design enabler – Alan Baxter and Associates (1994)
- Urban designer, researcher – Llewelyn-Davies (1997)
- Urban designer – John Thompson and Partners (2001)
- Masterplanner – Paul Drew Design (2002)
First house design by Paul Drew (1987)
contributions
John Outram once said, ‘when you are thinking about it, you are not doing it, and when you are doing it, you are not thinking about it’. Here is the paradox between processors and those of practical endeavours. Paul’s contributions have been included in:-
- Towards a New Industrial Urbanism (Routlage) – beds above sheds
- Community Lovers Guide – grass roots at Accordia
- Dwelling Accordia (Black Dog Publication) – a resident’s perspective
- The Chosen City by Nick Schoon (Routlage) – traditional street capacity
- The Urban Design Compendium (English Partnerships and CABE) – researcher
- Better Places to Live By Design (Dept. Local Transport and the Regions and CABE) – researcher
- Sustainable Residential Quality (London Planning Advisory Committee) – Lead design advisor