Active Design and Digital Care: Shaping the Future of Community Well-Being

Synopsis

In response to the global mental health crisis, Currie & Brown has been collaborating with stakeholders and global design teams to embed ‘active design’ as a powerful tool for improving community and patient well-being. By fostering physical activity and enabling social interaction through well-built environments, ‘active design’ can reduce feelings of isolation and improve mental health. This approach is especially relevant as society becomes increasingly digital, where human connections are diminished, particularly with the rise of remote working. More spaces that encourage engagement and connectivity are essential.
While the digitisation of healthcare is often seen as potentially isolating, it can also act as a key enabler for connecting communities and enhancing care delivery. Currie & Brown is learning from global partners to balance these dynamics, creating new models of ‘digital care’ and ‘active spaces’ aligned with our vision for preventative care.

Projects like DMA’s Goldhill Baptist Church and Loughborough University’s Active Campus highlight the impact of active design, transforming traditional places into community hubs that offer social, counselling, and healthcare services.

Similarly, Woonwerk’s Hofje Wendakker in Heerde and the Den Helder Library in the Netherlands exemplify how architecture can blend healthcare, housing, and community life. These designs offer integrated healthcare services and encourage social interaction, bridging generational gaps in urban meeting places.

Sustainability and mental health care are integrated in these designs, with green spaces, natural light, and energy-efficient technologies. Co-production is vital to ensure these spaces are responsive to the needs of the communities they serve. By involving end users in the design process and applying sustainable principles, we ensure long-term adaptability and benefits for future generations.