Our merger with CABE

On April 2011 the Design Council pressed the re-set button. We left the public sector, merged with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and updated our Royal Charter as a charity promoting design in the public interest.

Here are some of the highlights of our first year together, and some more information about CABE and its history.

Our plans 2011-2012

Teapot and Anglepoise

Since CABE and the Design Council have come together, we’re well placed to give a strong voice to architecture and design. Uniting two world-class centres of design excellence, our merger reflects the widening role and influence of design. Find out about our plans for our first year.

The first 100 days

In April 2011, two world-class centres of design - the Design Council and CABE - came together as one organisation. Here is a snapshot of what we got up to in the first 100 days.

Design Council and CABE launch event

"I was delighted by the coming together of the Design Council and CABE to create a new organisation, built on a powerful heritage but with a new and exciting combined agenda. This single, singular, national organisation for design and architecture will be unique in the world." Sir John Sorrell at the launch event. Read more...

CABE at the Design Council

CABE logo

CABE is now part of the Design Council. We will make sure communities continue to receive advice and support, deliver Design Review and, crucially, bring the built environment and design communities together to create a long-term strategy for CABE at the Design Council.

CABE History 1999-2011

A timeline of CABE's activity from its foundation in 1999 to 2011