Design

Roadkill: why cars are the biggest barrier to creating healthier cities

From the impact of cars to the psychology of herd mentality, sessions from this year’s Healthy City Design Congress suggests that real change lies in designing for culture and connection

GSK’s London HQ named healthiest workplace in city award scheme

The 2025 design awards of the Healthy City Design Congress have given top marks for wellbeing to healthy and sustainable office projects for GSK, Arup and Lenovo

Why a lot of familiarity and a little novelty might make sense

Designing a new workplace full of novelty and innovation? Be careful what you wish for. New research suggests that people respond well to familiarity when it comes to our surroundings

Signal File: this week’s headlines explore design at the intersection of tradition and novelty

This week’s signals reveal how blending traditional practices with new technologies is shaping adaptive and sustainable design for the future of work

How purpose-led workplaces can help navigate today’s office challenges

From underused offices to employee frustration, the answer lies in creating intentional, purpose-driven workplaces that truly support people

Power of the pattern: a stressful view or a feelgood factor?

New research from the University of Cambridge suggests that repetitive patterns on building façades are raising our stress levels. But some patterns and shapes achieve the opposite effect

The big debate: will building standardisation stifle local creativity?

New hospital building programmes are today at the centre of a tense battle between standardisation and deregulation. Will workplace design fall into the same trap?

Shapeshifter offices: what happens when our spaces start to feel us back?

From mood-sensitive materials to neuroadaptive lighting, workplaces are beginning to adapt not just to tasks – but to emotions, postures and personalities