Designing Buildings for People

About the author

Press Reviews

Something for everyone. An interesting and useful book.

For those involved in planning and architecture, whether new build or refurbishment, this requires greater openness to new ideas alongside awareness of long-term consequences. As we strive to meet challenging targets concerning climate change, it is easy to overlook the quality of life of buildings’ inhabitants. In ‘Designing Buildings for People’, Derek Clements-Croome shows how more holistic approaches can be achieved.

Well researched and written! Sustainable liveable architecture. Prof Derek Clements Croome captures the science of designing intelligent buildings which are sustainable and yet embrace tech. Extensively researched, Derek considers history, how people use and connect with their built spaces and introduces subtle ways of creating a healthy environment that enhances wellbeing and increases engagement and productivity. I highly recommend this book!

A beautifully written book about healthy and sustainable buildings 'for people'; its great for both practitioners and students who are studying spatial design or environmental psychology. We sometime forget about the 'people' element when designing buildings, the book emphasises on the connection between space, people & souls. The author describes it as the sparkle moments when we are being inspired and 'Flourish'. A conceptual framework that has been adopted by a group of Architects and researchers. Very easy to read and beautiful images of vernaculars, famous buildings and sites, also contemporary architecture- Highly recommended.

Redefining what constitutes an intelligent building. This book draws its inspiration from a lifetime of learning of how art and science combine to create great buildings for people. It redefines what constitutes an intelligent building in a holistic context, responding to the two foremost changing dimensions of our time - climate and technology. It recognises the symbiotic relationship between people and nature and the important role the built environment plays in our health and wellbeing. The key themes are illustrated with some stunning photography and exemplar case studies which showcase how they can be brought to life as sustainable liveable architecture. In short this is the author Derek Clements-Croome at his very best.

A book review from a practicing Architect. A beautifully written book about healthy and sustainable buildings 'for people'; its great for both practitioners and students who are studying spatial design or environmental psychology. We sometime forget about the 'people' element when designing buildings, the book emphasises on the connection between space, people & souls. The author describes it as the sparkle moments when we are being inspired and 'Flourish'. A conceptual framework that has been adopted by a group of Architects and researchers. Very easy to read and beautiful images of vernaculars, famous buildings and sites, also contemporary architecture- Highly recommended.

Such an engaging book! This is a really great intro into biophilic design for anyone interested (with or without experience). It is a really engaging read with well thought out sections and case studies. Highly recommend

A thoroughly contemporary look at Sustainable Design in the Built Environment. “With this book the author has tapped into the zeitgeist in a very timely way. He blends an insightful review of applied intelligence in nature and architecture through history with contemporary thinking around digital intelligence and smart systems. The book includes an excellent chapter on the application of the principles of Biophila, a word that is regularly misappropriated and misapplied in the design and construction industry. With the excellent case studies, there is something here for everyone from students of Architecture and Environmental design to the most experienced of practitioners.”

Very impressed. It covers a lot of ground which can sometimes be highly technical/inaccessible but is presented and written in the book in a very accessible way. The graphics throughout are particularly impressive. I was also taken by the focus in Ch7 on decision-making – all too often a neglected aspect of such books. For someone like me who is obviously concerned about the issues that form the focus of the book, but not involved in them day-to-day, the book is a really excellent overview.

I am reviewing this book wearing my former hat as an architect. During my practice I focused a lot on Feedback of buildings and the fact that often users thoughts and experiences weren’t collected or taken into account or their feedback not sought.
As an urban sketcher I also try to see spaces as occupied by peoples, inhabited spaces rather than pretty views. What is the point otherwise?
Derek’s book covers those points, the book itself is quite technical so it is not bedtime reading or pass time book. It covers a few important topics including sustainable livable architecture examples, vernacular buildings inspiration, new materials inspired by nature, assessment of sustainability, health and well being in buildings an a few case studies. As mentioned it is a technical book and well referenced - this may slightly put off the lay reader.
I loved the quotes at the beginnings of the chapters, many ring home to me and they point towards the holistic nature of live an experience- like this quote from John Berger: We never look at one thing: we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves. Our vision is continually active, continually moving… (John Berger, Ways of seeing, 1972).
Derek talks about looking at vernacular architecture as inspiration for tackling environmental design. It is (as Charles Correa says) about common sense. Vernacular is adapted to the environment in a passive way and details and deals with the climate as it stands in a place. The question is , if the climate changes quickly, can we adapt? Perhaps we need to look for inspiration to warmer climates to look for examples of buildings that work passively in hotter environments. Designers do but it is tricky to communicate to people of colder climates that sitting in the dark (away from the sun) is quite the thing to do when outside is 35C+. We need to relearn our habits.
I also loved the quote from Derek - we live though our senses… there is a chapter in the book talking about lessons from nature, with examples from biomimetic architecture. And he also talks about biophilia and how bringing plants and nature indoors (even photographs/murals) makes us feel calmer and healthier. Would paintings of landscapes have the same effect? Definitely loved the examples of architecture with plants around the world.

Your book is an important treasure trove and ahead of its time. It is essential reading for architects, engineers and everyone concerned with the built environment.