We’re Humanise. We’re campaigning for buildings and cities which are a bit less soulless, and a bit more interesting, joyful and human. Not because we think one architectural style is better than another. But because interesting, joyful, human buildings lift us all up. They connect us, make us healthier, add a bit of joy to our day. And the science proves it!
These kind of buildings don’t have to cost a lot more, and they’re a lot better for the planet too.
The more we talk about it, and show how things could be better, the more chance we have of making change.
So let’s all try and notice the buildings around us more, thinking about how they make us feel – and demanding better.
Because human beings need human buildings.
#architecture #archilovers
It’s not about style. It’s about people.
Human beings need human buildings.
#historicism #modernism #brutalism #neoclassicism #postmodernism #parametricism #archibollocks
Today we’re celebrating the life and work of Jane Jacobs, born 110 years ago today. Legendary urbanist, writer and campaigner, her ideas changed the way we think about what makes towns and cities human.
“Designing a dream city is easy,” she wrote. “Rebuilding a living one takes imagination.”
It shouldn’t only be the wealthy who can afford to surround themselves with buildings that make them feel good. Human design is for everyone – it lifts people up and helps us all thrive.
Human beings deserve human buildings!
Link in our bio to read the report
Thomas Heatherwick invited me to choose some buildings in Brazil that I love and that also represent his movement to Humanise architecture. Here are some of them, they connect with the theme for the scale, uniqueness and iconic nature.
Humanise is a campaign inspired by designer Thomas Heatherwick’s book of the same name. Instead of the anonymous, soulless architecture we see so much of across the world, they’re fighting for more interesting, human and joyful buildings and cities. I was delighted that the book was published in Brazil last year.
Find out more about my selection on the Humanise website (link in bio) and follow them @humaniseorg to support the campaign for more joyful buildings and cities.
1. Niterói Contemporary Art Museum - MAC by Architect Oscar Niemeyer, 1996.
2. Conjunto Habitacional Pedregulho Rio de Janeiro – Popular housing by Architect Affonso Eduardo Reidy, 1946.
3. Igreja da Pampulha by Oscar Niemeyer, 1942.
Images: LCR Ribeiro and Lucas Nishimoto
4. Roof Garden at Banco Safra headquarters by Roberto Burle Marx, 1983.
Images: Leonardo Finotti and Lyos Gallery
5-6. SESC Pompeia by Lina Bo Bardi, 1986.
Images: Ciro Miguel and Nando Trugillo
7. Paudalho Popular Houses by NEBR Arquitectura, 2021.
Images: Philippe Petrovsky
@nebr_arquitetura@sputnik__57@officialheatherwickstudio@editoraolhares
How can we resist the blandification of our towns and cities?
We’re hosting a panel debate at the UK’s biggest property development conference – the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) – next month to make sure this gets talked about at the highest level. We’re urging leaders to put the joy back into Britain!
Joining us in Leeds on 19th May will be a stellar panel of experts, chaired by Humanise’s Abigail Scott Paul:
⭐ Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
⭐ Kate Josephs CB, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council
⭐ Tim Heatley, founder of social impact developer Capital&Centric
⭐ Sharon Watson MBE DL, Chief Executive and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance
⭐ Professor Rosie McEachan, Director of the Born in Bradford study at the Bradford Institute for Health Research
⭐ Laurence Dudeney, partner and project leader at Heatherwick Studio.
It ain’t gonna be your average industry panel session…
We tend to talk about buildings in terms of performance, efficiency or delivery, much less in terms of how they actually feel to the people who use them.
The @humaniseorg campaign has been bringing attention to that gap, highlighting the emotional impact of the built environment. It’s a useful shift in perspective, and one that feels long overdue.
It also raises a broader question 👇
People don’t experience cities building by building. What they experience is the place as a whole. The way architecture, public space, uses and identity come together, or sometimes don’t.
When that overall coherence is missing, even well-designed projects can feel disconnected. Over time, that shows up in how people engage with a place, how often they return, and how long it stays relevant.
This is where a place-led approach to real estate development becomes important. Thinking more carefully about how everything fits together, and what kind of experience is actually being created.
We touched on this in our latest issue of @themain , “Stop building sad cities,” where we referenced @humaniseorg 👉 /articles/montreal-architecture-design-joy-public-spaces
📷 Selection from Humanise campaign.
#PlaceLedDevelopment #PlaceStrategy
We enjoyed Michelle Ogundehin’s article about why how our homes make you feel is more important than how they look (in the Financial Times at the weekend).
And among the interesting people she spoke to (including our friends at the @artsandmindlab at Johns Hopkins University), this quote from architect Kate Quinlan really stood out. Couldn’t agree more.
We’re calling time on the blandification of our towns and cities. It’s quiet, stealthy, and it’s probably going on where you live. Buildings which could have a bit of interest, which could bring a bit of joy and lift us up, but which end up anonymous, identikit, forgettable.
We CAN resist. Join Humanise and let’s show that we want buildings and cities which are interesting, joyful and human.
Sign up at the link in our bio.
#architecture #design #cities #whereilive
We love this brilliant reimagining of a family home in Cambridgeshire.
Instead of putting up boundaries and creating separation from the street, its designers were generous to passers-by and integrated a lovely place to pause, chat, and wait for a bus. Not only that but people get to appreciate the interesting geometric decoration, and the innovative materials. Even bees are welcome!
We liked it so much we invited Raveena Bhavsar, Co-Founder and Director of @conscious_designstudio who were behind the project, to share their approach. Read her article on our blog by clicking the link in our bio.
Images: Jack Harrison Bunning
#architecture #humanarchitecture
We’re calling time on a global ‘blandemic’ of dull buildings and soulless cities. Science has shown that they’re bad for our brains, our bodies, our behaviours, our economy, and our planet.
Humanise is a global movement for buildings and cities which are interesting, joyful and human. We need buildings and cities that lift us up, and that we love enough to care for and keep.
Human beings need human buildings.
#architecture #design
