☄️ Everyone in Germany is eagerly anticipating the federal election, which is just a few days away. The situation reveals that many fundamental human needs have gone unanswered for a long time – and now, this is becoming critical, feeling like it could lead to a collapse or at the very least, an extremely tense situation. I am deliberately starting on a political note because I realize that we, as a progressive society, are all in the same boat.
In times of turbulence, when no clear solution is in sight, I see human needs as the anchor we can hold onto: needs-based leadership, communication, economy, and education. To foster a human-centered economy, it is essential to address the needs of its participants. My contribution to this vision is the creation of needs-based spaces. And here’s the key point.
✅ With a well-thought-out user journey and intentional spatial design, it is possible to address and fulfill the needs of users. A curated experience, a spatial narrative, thoughtful zoning and segmentation of areas, along with a visually and tactilely appealing, emotionally engaging design and materiality – all of this guides users on a journey, conveys values, and creates a sense of belonging to something greater, meaningful, and unifying.
Take, for example, the well-known interior trend "Biophilic Design." Elements such as "Urban Jungle" (abundant houseplants), warm, natural textures, a muted color palette with seagrass green, forest-like scents, and floral patterns – all of these stem from our innate social need for freedom, retreat, and grounding. The desire to bring nature into urban spaces has led to design elements that synesthetically remind us of the environments we originally came from. These natural landscapes are evolutionarily wired to have a calming and grounding effect on our psyche – an effect we often miss in our work life and urban routines.
🫀 This is just one example of how spatial design can cater to human needs. With my approach, shaped by deep empathy, I create spaces for people – places where they feel safe, seen, and connected. Such a place could become a home for your company. These spaces are being integrated into cities to make urban environments less consumer-driven and more human-centered. As a society, we need places like this to stay connected, to preserve eye contact and physical connection. These are the spaces where a sustainable economy can emerge.
I hope that some of you feel the same way – that you do not lose hope even in these uncertain times. If you share my vision for needs-based spaces or want to apply this approach to your specific ideas and projects, reach out to me, and let’s connect. I wish you strength. And I wish us a democratic government 😉🫶.
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