Making it. Beautifully

Why are we not building as beautifully as we once were? Examine the definition of beauty and its subjectivity. Understand how this can be translated into the built environment as we endeavour to create materials that play in giving character to buildings and in doing so, contribute to the beauty of a place beyond aesthetics.

We’re aware now more than ever the impact of material choice. As an architectural material, clay is transformed from muddy beige into a beautiful artefact. This module explores the composition and scientific properties of clay, the technicalities of its production, and the unique advantages ofthis medium.

The mass production of tiles in England began in the 18th century, and since then the industry has developed into a highly mechanised process. The Potteries has become synonymous with ceramic tile production and boasts globally recognised brands. Find out more about this site of historical and industrial importance.

There are many inspirational stories set in ceramics that help conserve the past and send powerful messages to the future. Understand how the beauty of ceramics can communicate meaningful stories through showcases such as The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red exhibition, The Butterflies, and the Tile Tapestry.

Innovation is crucial to preserve historical craftsmanship without compromising sustainability actions and environmental concerns. As the ‘Living with Beauty’ report states: “In general, all that we seek by way of human health and environmental sustainability is bound up with beauty.” Heritage values must unite with modern methods.

Beauty is fundamental to the creation of connection and community, along with the need for “well-living”, accelerated by the Coronavirus pandemic. Science shows that there are many commonalities between what we perceive to be beautiful. Part of this universal appreciation of what constitutes beauty brings us to biophilic and our deep connection with nature.

As an emerging field, Neuroaesthetics seeks to understand how much beauty is biologically and culturally inherited. Patterns, textures, and edge articulation provide needed cues that allow humans to negotiate their environment. Explore how this helps designers create surroundings that speak to our senses by satisfying the universal quest for beauty.

Moments of delight can be orchestrated experiences relating to architecture that help foster a sense of true contentment. These moments have important implications for human wellbeing and buildings with fewer of these moments can leave our lives impoverished. Find out how these moments can be incorporated into the built environment.

The five ways to wellbeing framework demonstrates the key physical design characteristics associated with positive mental health, for a deeper exploration into the intrinsic link between our surroundings and wellbeing. There are many design characteristics that can either impinge on or enhance these so-called healthy behaviours.

A product’s beauty isn’t in how it meets a single measure, but holistically satisfying people, profit, and planet. Discover the growing number of surface materials that are resourcefully rising to the challenge in a number of appealing ways by reclassifying waste, promoting wellbeing, and re-purposing materials.

Discover a number of initiatives underway that consider the role neighbourhoods play in protecting the psychological safety and emotional wellbeing of people in their later life stages. Find out about how seniors should be given greater share of voice to achieve beauty.

As we grow older, we spend more time in our homes and communities. The home is a place of belonging, contributing to our sense of identity and feelings of safety and security in older age. Ensuring these communities are accessible and safe for all has a marked impact on the independence of our elderly.

Independence is integral to living well with dementia. Establishing communities that encourage independent dementia living leads residents to continue day-to-day activities in a safe and social environment. Maintaining community links helps build a deeper understanding of dementia to continually improve care.

Dementia symptoms include a number or perceptual and physical difficulties that impact a user ’s experience of a space. Including design elements that are aware of these impairments can help alleviate symptoms and create inclusive spaces that lead to positive experiences for residents.

Addressing issues pertaining to surfaces and specifications can support people’s sight, visuo-perceptual impairment, memory loss and musculo-skeletal problems. Explore how colour, contrast, textures and materials can help overcome resident anxiety.

A product's beauty is bound by more than just appearance, beauty also lies in its ability to meet the needs of people and the planet. As a manufacturer, the idea of creating something beautiful is incredibly important. For us, beauty and sustainability sit hand in hand, that’s why we’re constantly innovating to discover more ways to positively impact the planet.

Why we need to reframe ‘waste’ as a second life resource - acknowledging the psychological barriers of working and succeeding with waste in the interior space so that materials once perceived as ugly and dirty can be reclassified as valuable resources. Gain a better understanding and overcome the limitations of shaping a more beautiful - and sustainable - built environment.

Deconstructing the circular economy. What it takes to create beautiful interior products that are made to last, are entirely regenerative and yet highly desirable. Looking to the craft community for inspiration, explore the new generation of designers and makers creating something beautiful from waste resources.

Material selection is fundamental to creating sustainable design concepts. Designers and specifiers have a unique opportunity to influence and inspire clients with choices that marry sustainability and material health, supporting both human and planetary wellbeing.