Richard Rogers: Bold design

The study said Wales needs a Commission for Architecture and Design, with responsibility for the subject given to a National Assembly Cabinet member.

Scotland and England already have similar bodies, and the IWA working party is concerned that Wales is being left behind.

AMs are due to make the final decision next Wednesday on whether to go ahead with the Richard Rogers Partnership's design for a new Assembly debating chamber.

The report said the promotion of architecture should be a "core responsibility" of the Assembly.

"It is also why the competition for the design of the National Assembly is so significant and why the implementation of the scheme is so crucially important for the future of the built environment throughout our country," added the report.

'A less beautiful place'

It warned that Wales is being constantly degraded by poor-quality development driven by short-term considerations.

"Wales is becoming a less beautiful place to live and work," it said.

It warned about a "lowest common denominator" approach to building, a short-term approach to costs, poor architecture in such places as fast food restaurants, "big box" shopping schemes, and public authorities allowing lower standards than the rest of Britain.

The commission is needed because "no one body exists - for the promotion of more thoughtful design - to which public authorities can turn for advice."