Home \ Sectors \ Civic, Community & Culture Civic, Community & Culture\ Connecting communities, engaging visitors “When every penny counts, creativity is priceless.” Hazel York Partner Buildings tell stories about people. So it follows that public buildings have the broadest stories to tell. They tell us what we value as a society, from the services we think matter to the art and artists we choose to celebrate. The temptation with cultural buildings is to see them as art in themselves, and they can be, but the risk is that the designs become indulgent and overlook the very people they exist for. A gallery doesn’t get plonked on a plinth behind glass, it gets used and abused. A library shouldn’t be designed for Instagram or architecture journals, but for reading, socialising and learning. And here’s the lovely surprise: when you do take a people-centric approach, something exciting happens—you end up with a striking, memorable building after all, because unexpected ideas emerge from the melting pot of human needs. People are surprising and predictable, wonderful and difficult, open and private. Designing successful public buildings means embracing contradictions and conundrums, being tenacious and empathetic, businesslike and human. Being designers, yes, but also citizens. After all, that’s who the buildings’ stories are ultimately about. 15yr Ambassadorial role Supporting the regeneration of Gillett Square, Hackney Featured Projects Hackney Town Hall\ Rebuilding civic pride Corby Cube\ A town hall for the 21st century Thames Tideway\ Reconnecting with London’s largest open space Rutland Mills\ Regenerating a complex of derelict mills into a mixed-use community Aldingbourne Country Centre\ Improving training, learning and social facilities The Plumstead Centre\ A new type of community building Want to see more of our projects? Select from the items below to view more: Civic, Community & Culture Civic Community Arts & Culture Charity Share this page You may also like... News and Events Plumstead Library: Turning a vision into a reality\ Posted on 11/11/2019 AJ100 Awards 2019 - shortlist\ Posted on 08/05/2019 Research and Opinion Use of colour in the built environment\ What do clients think of architects?\ London\ 159 St John Street EC1V 4QJ T: 020 7336 8030 mail@hawkinsbrown.com Manchester\ 3rd Floor, Hilton House 26-28 Hilton Street M1 2EH T: 0161 641 5522 mail@hawkinsbrown.com Edinburgh\ Spaces, 1 Lochrin Square 92 Fountainbridge EH3 9QA T: 0131 370 8820 mail@hawkinsbrown.com Los Angeles\ 8500 Steller Drive Building 1 CA, 90232 T: +1 213 493 2001 mail@hawkinsbrown.com Dublin\ 3rd Floor 22 Ely Place D02 AH73 mail@hawkinsbrown.com Services\ Urban Design and Masterplanning Working with Artists Sustainability Social Value Digital Design Sectors\ Civic, Community & Culture Education & Research Healthcare Infrastructure & Transport Interior Design Residential Workplace Copyright © Hawkins Brown Architecture Ltd. 2021 / Legals, Privacy & Cookies