Design North West is an independent organisation, hosted by RIBA, which is devoted to generating a strong sense of place in living, working and leisure environments throughout the North West of England. We continue to trade as Places Matter whilst we make our transition to the new organisation.

We work across the public, private and third sectors to drive up the skills and knowledge of all those involved in new development, promoting good design and encouraging strong client leadership.

We are based at RIBA North in Liverpool. Our expert design review panel provides timely and impartial advice that can add value to the development process, operating under the widely recognised National Design Review Charter.

Our Panel includes built environment experts that specialise in architecture, urban design, planning, landscape architecture, heritage, conservation, and engineering. We also have sustainability, arts, marketing, tourism and brand specialists

We set up every design review panel meeting to meet your client’s needs and development timetable. Only then do we select the Panel Chair and Panel Members.

Our ‘The Way We Work’ document outlines our approach to design review and hear what our clients have to say about the benefits of an independent critical friend.