Surroundings

Just as any structure benefits from a strong foundation, the same goes for its design process. Great architecture is designed around people; our individual preferences, the way we work and live, our dreams and aspirations. The more we understand people’s experiences and interactions, the stronger the foundation for your project’s success. GIVE YOUR DESIGNER THE PERFECT BRIEF Surroundings is a specialist consultancy in human-centred design. We ensure that buildings and public spaces are made for people. We help people clarify, articulate and realise their ideal environments. Think of us as a bridge between the community and project owners – translating key insights and findings into the perfect brief for architects and designers. The involvement of many decision-makers, influencers and stakeholders can make the navigation of your project difficult. But thanks to our specialist workshops, we help bring the community together and provide a clear, objective direction for the future CREATING POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR EVERYONE A building should be shaped by the people living in it. That’s why we take the time to listen to people, involve them in the process and understand them. By designing a project around a set of human experiences and rituals, we can ensure it meets the needs of the community. Workshopping benefits everyone. It enables clients and designers to uncover new insights, perspectives, opportunities and inspiration; to accelerate their expertise; and to deepen relationships. And from the community’s perspective, it creates a sense of belonging, connection and involvement with the project. WHY SURROUNDINGS? We give you the best of both worlds. We’re qualified architects with many years’ experience in the practical elements of building design. But we also offer expertise in the more emotional, human-centred side of design. We approach projects from the perspectives of both the client and the architect – and that’s what sets us apart.