Royal Fine Arts Commission
| Abbreviation | CABE |
|---|---|
| Merged into | Design Council |
| Formation | 1 August 1999 |
| Extinction | 1 April 2011 |
| Type | Government architectural advisory organisation |
| Legal status | Quango |
| Purpose | Public architecture in England |
| Headquarters | 407 Saint John St., Angel, London, EC1 V4AB |
|
Region served
|
England |
|
Chief Executive
|
Richard Simmons |
|
Main organ
|
Board of Commissioners (Chairman – Paul Finch OBE) |
| Website | www |
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) was an executive non-departmental public body of the UK government, established in 1999. It was funded by both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Communities and Local Government. It was merged into the Design Council on 1 April 2011.
CABE was the government's advisor on architecture, urban design and public space in England. Its job was to influence and inspire the people making decisions about the built environment. It championed well-designed buildings, spaces and places, ran public campaigns and provided expert, practical advice. It worked directly with architects, planners, designers and clients.
CABE's board members – its commissioners – were appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. There were 16 commissioners in total. Its chair was Paul Finch, a former chair of the Design Council. CABE's chief executive was Richard Simmons.
One of CABE's main functions was design review: expert independent assessments of building schemes at an early stage. CABE reviewed schemes of national importance, that had a significant impact on the local environment, or which set standards for the future. Its design review panel consisted of around 40 expert advisors drawn from England's architectural, built environment and creative community. CABE was known as a 'non-statutory consultee' in the planning process, meaning that planners and others should heed CABE's advice when making decisions, but were not obliged to do so.
CABE's main office was situated in a large tower block built in 1968 (and designed by Richard Seifert) near Drury Lane.
CABE was the direct successor body to the Royal Fine Art Commission, originally established in 1924. Originally intended to be called "Commission for Architecture", Sir Terry Farrell successfully argued for "Built Environment" to be added to the new commission's name and purview. CABE was established in August 1999. It came about from the Urban Task Force set up in 1998, chaired by Richard Rogers. Some CABE's functions, including design review and localism and planning, were merged with the Design Council on 11 April 2011 (the Design Council is a registered charity).
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