Looking beyond sustainable design, nicholas always strives to create urban environments which contribute positively to the biosphere. This means not simply “keeping things as they are” – which “sustainability” implies – but making a real difference.
We advocate for liveable cities, where planned “good” civic space within the urban fabric enhances the quality of life.
What “good” civic space entails can vary, but often it is a step-change in scale, and variety, which encourage people to slow down and interact. Interconnected courtyard forms, prevalent in traditional Middle East architecture, have this effect – as do laneways when entered from more generous spaces, which funnel people together.
Let’s activate the public domain in our Middle East cities by using traditional forms and increase opportunities for chance social encounter.
We strongly believe that development should be regenerative – improving outcomes for both the environment and for people.
