New Campaign Celebrates Design’s Role in Scottish Placemaking

A new campaign has been launched to champion the importance of design in shaping successful places across Scotland. Architecture and Design Scotland, the nation’s design agency for place, has initiated the Value of Design campaign to showcase how well-thought-out design can enhance communities, create new opportunities, and enhance overall well-being.

Heather Claridge, the director of design at Architecture and Design Scotland, expressed that design revolves around comprehending the everyday needs of individuals and communities. By utilising creativity and innovation, designers can craft sustainable places that cater to these requirements both now and in the future.

The campaign highlights five key trends:

• Ageing population: Designing supportive spaces for a changing demographic.
• Housing crisis: Addressing the shortage of well-designed, affordable housing by repurposing existing assets or creating new flexible housing solutions.
• Change in retail: Designing cities and towns that foster vibrant communities in response to evolving retail patterns.
• Biodiversity and climate crisis: Utilising design to adapt and create places that promote biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable living.
• Inclusion: Ensuring that design involves the people who will ultimately use the spaces or buildings.

The Value of Design campaign’s initial phase will feature a series of videos presenting Architecture and Design Scotland’s perspective on design’s importance. Subsequent content from various sectors and end-users of designs will follow. Scheduled to run until the end of September, the campaign will primarily be showcased on Architecture and Design Scotland’s social media platforms and website.

Jim MacDonald, the chief executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, emphasised their belief in design’s potential to positively impact people’s lives in Scotland. Through collaborative efforts, they aim to create spaces that foster strong communities and a thriving economy.