As our cities grow, we must remember the lessons learned from diverse urban experiences. Whether it's a New York City community garden, a London social housing plan, or an Amsterdam park party, these third spaces are essential to the fabric of city life and our personal joy.

I was watching the sun go down the other day, when something hit me. I wasn't really seeing the sun "set" at all. What I was actually noticing were the changes - the shifting colours, the gradual dimming of light. It got me thinking about how our brains work, because we don't actually see things for what they are, all we notice is change.

See, here's the kicker: our brains don't actually perceive reality as it is. Nope, they're far too lazy for that. Instead, they've evolved to be super-efficient, only really paying attention to changes in our environment. It's like our grey matter is a super picky teenager, only bothering to get off the couch when something interesting happens.

At BAITT, we sit at the unique intersection of human behaviour and architectural design. Our mission is to improve the spaces we live, work, and play in by integrating behavioural science and architectural practices, always with a focus on innovation. We believe that the built environment is not just a backdrop for human activity but an active participant in shaping it.

Once we reached the venue, there was an immediate feeling of awe in the air. The stage was a circular, floating structure located in the middle of the water. A spiral going up, a spiral going down.

This memo is first in a series of “thoughts on paper”, a summary of reflections sparked by reading “Creating useful policy steering rooms” by Mulgan and Quaggiotto.

Imagine entering an environment where every element, from the ceiling height to the ambient scent, is strategically designed to influence your next decision. This is a deliberate orchestration of space, where every designed element is optimised to elicit specific emotional and cognitive responses. Textures and materials are not merely chosen for their appeal but for their profound psychological impacts—each element fine-tuned to support cognitive functions and modulate emotional states.

Christopher Alexander’s Pattern #40 encourages designs that mix different generations together, such as the elderly and children, in everyday community life. A successful example is found in Finland, where a combined space for a nursing home and kindergarten has been created. This design helps the elderly feel more connected, happier, and healthier by sharing spaces and activities with children, and it allows for the exchange of wisdom and experiences between generations.

A restorative place
A healing place
A place to be alone
A place to come together

Be comforted by light
Bright airy spaces
Lavish green and open views
A new Horizon

A Warm Nest