Value of Design

At Architecture and Design Scotland, we believe that design has the power to improve people’s lives. It can create people-friendly, climate-conscious places, by being clear on what the brief is and involving the right people at the right time. Good design anticipates issues before they arise. 

Design can be interpreted in many ways. 

In this campaign, we aim to talk about what WE mean by design and how we think it can improve people’s lives. 

Starting in June 2024 we are running the Value of Design campaign to highlight why we believe design makes a difference to our places. 

Please let us know where you think design has made a difference.

As budgets contract design is critical to ensure we get it right from the start. Using design thinking and a design-led approach can help optimise investments and avoid costly mistakes.  

We need to work together to make our places resilient and we need to collaborate to get the most out of any investment. Design thinking goes beyond the building of a place – it should anticipate issues of maintenance, stewardship and governance. 

Ageing population: As our population ages, we need our places, services and housing to be able to respond to our changing demographics. We need to design supportive places that can be easily accessible and safe without reliance on private transport 

Housing crisis: There is a shortage of good, well-designed and affordable housing – using good design to use existing assets or creating flexible and well-designed housing for a range of housing needs with access to everyday facilities.

Change in retail: As our retail patterns change, we need to design cities and towns that provide vibrant places for communities to thrive to support a liveable and productive Scotland. 

Biodiversity and climate crisis: We are facing a biodiversity and climate crisis. We need to use design to adapt and create places for biodiversity, climate adaptation and sustainable local living. Through Retrofitting or adapting existing places we can give new life to buildings and provide energy-efficient, warm homes to a broad range of families and individuals.  

Inclusion: Design should include the people who will use the spaces or buildings. How can we design inclusive places that support people with a range of backgrounds and needs? 

Watching our Value of Design videos on Vimeo

Sharing our messages and examples using #ValueOfDesign2024 on social

Letting us know what you believe is the value of design to you or your place

Getting in touch at info@ads.org.uk