After years of negotiations, planning and funding applications, the Otago Institute of Design is about to become a reality.
And, if he has his way, it will soon become the leading design facility in the country, offering a combination of academic courses, product development facilities, design research capabilities, advisory services and practical support for businesses.
"We've been working on this for three and a-half years.
''I'm very positive and upbeat that something is finally about to happen."
Mr Regan, the polytechnic's group manager of creative and applied technologies, has been appointed general manager of the institute.
He floated the idea of a joint venture between Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago after overseeing the expansion of the polytechnic's design courses and noting the friendly relationships which already existed between design staff from the two institutions.
A combined polytechnic-university facility had never been attempted before in New Zealand, he said.
"No-one else is doing anything like this . . . and I don't think it could happen anywhere else.
''People in Dunedin want to work together.
''We realise that together we can do more."
The concept had been well received by Otago local authorities, business leaders and education leaders, he said.
The Tertiary Education Commission also showed its support in October with a $12.5 million grant towards the new building.
By combining personnel and resources, it was hoped the institute would be able to provide students and others with more opportunities in a cost-effective way, Mr Regan said.
Another major advantage for students was that the polytechnic and university had agreed some design papers could be cross-credited.
That meant students could follow a study path which might involve taking classes at both institutions.
Asked what design was, Mr Regan said it was about thinking about new and existing products or processes and trying to improve them.
"Designers want to make a difference.
''They want to change the world."
Most people mentioned cars, fashion, houses or, perhaps, furniture when they thought of design.
But Mr Regan, who was one of only four people in his tertiary design class in England in the 1970s, said design had become fundamental to every sphere of life over the past 30 years.
Initially, the institute would teach the existing design courses offered by the polytechnic and the university.
But Mr Regan said he could only see the range expanding.
"At the moment, we offer courses in fashion, product, interiors and architectural design and the university offers basic design papers.
''We haven't even touched areas like environmental design, sustainable design, transportation design or engineering design yet."
Another area Mr Regan was keen to develop was training opportunities for technology teachers, many of whom he said had years of experience but were not up to date with technological advances or new teaching methods and had no recent qualifications.
He hoped to be able to offer them flexible courses, which would enable them to increase their skill.
Another important part of the institute's work would be offering business improvement advice.
Initially, that was likely to be to southern companies, but Mr Regan said there was no reason why it could not be expanded to national or international companies.
The institute would also house the polytechnic's product development centre, which helps inventors and existing businesses design and manufacture new or updated products.
Mr Regan said it was hoped that work would also be expanded.
Asked to visualise the institute in 10 years' time, Mr Regan said it would be a lively, creative precinct in the North Dunedin campus and the leading design institute in the country.
"It will be the institute which helps the Government form policies - the institute which helps change the way Otago and New Zealand works."