Good design: building with purpose
Repurposing can sometimes come quite late into a new development. And, in order to meet changing demands or simply to attract potential buyers, some developers are having to learn how to pivot and quickly change how a space might work. While others are being more agile in their plans and are designing spaces with a broad purpose from the outset. Many architects and designers are incorporating collaboration or ‘collision’ spaces where people can meet, mix, and work in an open environment.” Beyond individual building use, there is an ever- deepening consideration of how purposeful design across entire cities can positively impact peoples’ health and well-being. Specifically, by helping to tackle issues such as loneliness and nurturing social well-being by creating spaces that foster community and connection 11 .
Purpose has always been at the heart of good design. But we’re seeing a broadening of the definition of how to create purpose. Going far beyond the expected functional aspects of how a building is used, it embraces the potential within design to connect, disrupt, rethink and repurpose. Many architects and designers are incorporating collaboration or 'collision' spaces where people can meet, mix, and work in an open environment. Designed to create a disruptive energy that sparks social interactions where ideas for change and innovation thrive. “Repurposing buildings (adaptive reuse) is also becoming a necessity for developers to increase occupancy, improve commercial viability, and as an effective strategy for decarbonisation. It’s a trend that can perhaps be seen as a disruptor: an old building with a new, unexpected, purpose. Office blocks redesigned as apartments or student accommodation. Others, for example, are transformed into Life Science research laboratories,” explained Atul Bansal, Founder of Sheila Bird Studio In a report produced by Historic England, they've outlined how the adaptive reuse of some of England's older vacant buildings could provide an additional 670,000 homes. A process that could go some way to address the country's chronic housing shortage 10 . There are also some more imaginative uses being tried. As disruptors to traditional thought, these include shared, flexible spaces designed to have one use during the day and another at night. For example, a typical office is transformed into a night market for the local community.
Crown | Colour Insights | 2025/2026 | page 12
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