Public Interest Design

Public Interest Design is the practice of designing a space that enhances the beauty of the structure, specifically for the betterment of the mental and physical health of the user. It is not a new term or concept. It has been around for many years. However, it has yet to become mainstream. Public Interest Design is different from “Social Impact Design” or “Human Centred Design”. Two approaches which are equally invaluable and have a “strong ecosystem of resources” fostering them. But these approaches are focused on social justice, social interaction, and social well-being. Still each of these three approaches represent pieces of the puzzle that support the principle of human dignity. Referenced by John Cary, Immanuel Kant defined “dignity” as “inextricably linked with self-determination which distinguishes us from other species. This, in other words, is what makes us human and universally worthy of dignity.” The precise definition of “dignity” is “the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect.”

The architect and author, John Cary has dedicated his career to educating, advocating and increasing the practice of designing for the public good. Reading his book “Design for Good” was a pivotal moment for me. It brought all that I was thinking of into focus. His statement: “Design that dignifies, if it’s to be truly radical at the route, can’t just comfort, but must also render poorly designed spaces as unacceptable. It must engage not just one plot of land at a time, but the system that continues to create indignity in the first place. Once you see what design can do, it can’t be unseen. And once you experience dignity, you can’t accept anything less. Both become a part of your “possible”. "

Public Interest Design is centred on the use of local materials and the support of the community from conception to completion and use. It is constantly building and expanding on the original needs of the community. It’s the “design of the space” that inspires the users to want to be part of the project and to interact with the structure. These spaces are specifically low income housing projects, hospitals, schools, and memorial sites, located in areas where design is assumed to be an extravagance not an essential and fundamental requirement to ensure the success of the project. Michael Murphy co-founder of MASS Design Group has demonstrated this many times over through all the projects supported by MASS Design Group.

Measuring the success of Public Interest Design is a work in progress because it requires different types of metrics. When measured, the impact these projects have on the community is very real and substantial. My thanks to John Cary & Michael Murphy for giving these ideas a platform.

Public Interest Design is what I am passionate about. Everyone deserves to have a well designed space for their home, their school, their care centres, their places of work, really all spaces in our lived environments. Public Interest Design is what drives all that I do; and how I hope to make an impact on the world. JH

John Cary - TED Talk

Michael Murphy, MASS Design Group - TED Talk