This was the premise for the London Festival of Architecture discussion ‘Designing for Diversity’: a great forum to consider how we can be more inclusive in our user-engagement and design. Presentations focused on diversity in gender, religion, age and land-use.

Linda Thiele from White Arkitekter noted that, of young people using outdoor sports spaces, 80% are young men and 20% by young women. She highlighted different ways to engage with young girls, who may, as she quoted, ‘feel that they are looked at but not seen’. Case studies were also presented by Adam Khan Architects on Tower Court, which is located within a large Orthodox Jewish community, and Fielden Fowles Architects on Waterloo City Farm, a compact and sustainable educational space in the heart of London.

Finally, Sebastian Taylor of Phoenix Community Housing explained their resident-led approach and ‘Chat & Chips’ initiative. He also shared our RIBA award winning project Hazelhurst Court (pictured below), which he says has changed many residents’ perceptions of moving with age – many now appreciate that going from a house to a flat can be an upgrade.