Mike Wilson-MacCormack features in Across magazine’s ​‘2022 Design Trends’

Asked about what the placemaking industry might have in store for 2022, Mike commented:

“I think 2022 will see us revisit what makes urban retail vibrant and viable – namely bespoke design interventions and place-relevant experiences. Consumers are becoming wary of short-term, off-the-shelf solutions. As architects and designers, we have to come up with point solutions for individual places, because customers will spot something that’s a cookie-cutter solution and that perhaps won’t be relevant 10 years from now. We’ll see a renewed need for town and city centers to offer a rich mix of uses and experiences to generate footfall. At the same time, we’ll see a focus on creating destinations where people want to be; ideally based on real experience and a bit of theater to attract new crowds and consumers.

I think we’ll also see the public realm grow in importance as somewhere that can deliver these experiential dimensions. Compelling public places and spaces, such as parks and landscaped areas, help to pull people into and through urban centers, in turn creating value for the surrounding buildings and businesses. The Covid 19 pandemic has also reinforced the importance of open spaces for wellbeing and community ‘moments,’ I expect this to be a growing trend in placemaking next year.”

Read the full article here.