How can we create spaces where different people feel seen, safe and welcome? And how can their needs be translated into the design process from an early stage? These were the questions our colleagues Sarah and Nina explored in their talk as part of the Hamburg Architecture Summer. Under the title »How Needs Shape Spaces«, they spent just over an hour discussing schools as places to live and learn, different perspectives in the design process, and why listening closely is such an important foundation for creating good educational buildings. We were therefore especially pleased to see how lively the exchange became after the talk. People from architecture, planning and construction entered into conversation with those responsible for accessibility and early-stage planning, including service phase 0. The discussion also touched on our own »Service Phase 10« and the follow-up visits behind it, where we return to completed schools and speak to the people who use our buildings every day. For us, this is another reminder that good design remains a collaborative process. It does not end when a building is handed over, but continues to evolve through experience, feedback and new perspectives. We were delighted by the strong response and are already looking forward to more formats that create space for exchange and collective thinking in our office.
