We design places, not spaces. A healthier, more comfortable and more productive urban environment is key to the creation of future-proof cities.

Public spaces are often designed only for aesthetics and functionality; the design of outdoor comfort and sensorial experiences is very often disregarded. In our view, public spaces can be tailored for improving the sensorial experience of people, increasing their health, productivity, happiness and stimulating outdoor activities.

At ABT, we design public spaces optimising the wind flow, access to sun light and noise level, reducing the risk of heat/cold stress locally and the urban heat island effect. We do this working with:

• urban massing
• building form and orientation
• surfaces finishing, colours and thermal properties of materials
• trees, greenery and landscape elements
• water bodies in public spaces  

More life in outdoor public spaces in all seasons also mean a more active local economy, lower energy consumption in buildings, more opportunities for social interactions and, overall, more successful cities.