Designing the future of spaces in Manchester
Last week our Design Researcher Fiona Doran spoke at the M.E.N Business Breakfast — Designing Manchester: Future of Workspaces. Held at the bustling Manchester airport where the large-scale Airport City — development is currently underway.
The event highlighted the important role that architects, developers, planners and local authorities have in shaping the future of Manchester. We believe it’s also important for design to have a seat at the table to contributing to this conversation.
On the panel:
- Jonathan Haigh, Airport City Manchester
- Adam Higgins, Co-founder, Capital & Centric
- Mike Hitchmough, Architect Director, BDP
- Atul Bansal, Co-founder, Sheila Bird Group
- Fiona Doran, Design Researcher, Common Good
I wanted to share my key take-outs from the event and my thoughts on what designing the future spaces of the city should consider.
Key take-outs from the event
- The demand for great spaces is rising — The Manchester market is booming and it’s hard for everyone involved to keep up with demand. It’s important that as a design community we don’t just shove buildings up. We need to be strategic and really think about the spaces we’re creating and longevity of new buildings so they stand the test of time.
- Building flexibility is fundamental — Thinking about how spaces will adapt and change over time to suit individuals changing needs so spaces don’t get ‘old’ and stay relevant is crucial for architects. We don’t want to be knocking old buildings down and starting over and over again. This isn’t a sustainable model.
- The workplace isn’t one place anymore — Remote working, flexible working and a shift in where and how people work mean there is no one space where everyone works at the same time anymore. Employees work from home, they’re based around the globe, things have moved on. Spaces need to adapt and cater to this way of working.
- Employees are people! — Health and wellbeing were discussed, the event being held a day after World Mental Health Day. Taking care of yourself is no longer something which is an add-on to our lives, it’s something which is integral. People can’t leave themselves at the front door or their office or studio. Employees need to be considered as people. This seems like an obvious one but let’s face it, do all employers see it like this? Panel members discussed how gym memberships could be offered to employees or taking it a step further how about a space which allows employees to exercise in their working environment? Or are there spaces for employees to sit where they can get 5 minutes headspace?
- A holistic approach is needed — It’s important to not only consider the space itself but the area surrounding the space. The environment, green space, transport, safety etc. Considering the ecosystem around the space. And the community — community came up a lot and the need for connections in a fragmented workplace.
My thoughts
My take on this and our role as designers…
To start with the event topic got me thinking: ‘Designing Manchester’. There is still so much misunderstanding around design itself. With too much focus on visual aspects of design over the true nature of design as a problem-solving process. What are the key issues affecting Manchester right now, in my opinion? I find myself asking more questions and framing them into ‘how might we’ questions. We’d love to partner with others who want to help tackle some of these issues.
A fast-growing city — With Manchester becoming the place for businesses to move to recently with the likes of Bupa and Amazon announcing their moves to Manchester. Where are people going to live, work and socialise? How is Manchester going to adapt?
How might we design a city that is growing without losing its local, small, authentic feel?
Designing a city for an ageing population — The panel focused on designing for a younger generation which is obviously essential but we must not forget an ever-growing ageing population. One in three of us is now aged over 50. For the first time in our history, there are more people over 65 in the UK than there are young people.
How might we design a city which caters for our ageing population without alienating a younger audience?
Tackling homelessness — You only have to walk down a street in Manchester to see this issue. It’s upsetting to see especially as a city we’re supposed to be thriving, so how has this happened? Organisations such as Street Support are making big headway in this area, but we must do more as designers to help solve this problem.
How might we design a city which means no one ever needs to sleep on the streets?
Getting around Manchester — Manchester Oxford Road has the most train delays in the UK, colleagues are stuck getting into the city on a weekly basis, driving in and out of Manchester is nothing but a nightmare and there is a long way to go with safe cycling routes. As people leave the city centre and move to the outskirts, let’s ask ourselves is it easy to travel into Manchester? As more people move into Manchester, this is going to have a huge impact on travelling around the city.
How might we design a city that’s easy to get around, get into and out of!?
Disappearing trees and green spaces — I feel so lucky to be able to see trees outside of our studio, just opposite Sackville Gardens. How many green spaces are there in Manchester? And how many are now being built on due to ever-expanding flat developments? We need more trees. There is tons of science behind how green spaces are better for our wellbeing. Consider Singapore’s amazing green spaces as examples of how could we build a greener Manchester. Could the £250m Kampus be one of the developments that focus on rectifying this?
How can we design a city with more trees?
The need for belonging — With fragmented workplaces in a digital world, the need for belonging becomes even more paramount. This is especially important when thinking about connecting different groups. For example how could we connect new mums getting back into work across the city?
How might we design spaces that connect, nurture and grow communities?
Let’s make something great together
Which of the above issues is important to you? We’ll be looking at the above topics in the studio but which should we focus on? Is there a design or business challenge your organisation needs solving?
I’d be happy for you to come in our studio so we can show you some more of thinking and discuss how Common Good can help. Get in touch here and say hello.
