Tomorrow by Design

The TBD crew mean business as they find out how to better design and regulate cities, and how built environment professionals are a key piece to driving better designed spaces for inhabitants. Together with urban designer Brenda Ngoya, learn how your voice as a citizen is a critical tool in shaping the tomorrow we all need, today. Brenda also runs a blog called the Urban Design Age, where she shares thought provoking pieces of the current state of urbanism in the country, a read worth your time.
Want to learn how to call your urban leaders to stand on business? Here's a great resource from the UN: Urban Planning for City Leaders.

We continue the conversation on Biophilic design and its benefits, looking at practical real life examples.

Wangui Mwangi shares more of her biophilic design secrets in her new course, Biophilic Design for Sustainable Architecture & Interiors, available here.

The TBD crew have a chat about Nairobi's state of affairs with journalist Vincent Ng'ethe.

Vincent writes about urban affairs, the environment and transparent governance. He is also a fact-checking editor with extensive experience checking claims by public figures in Kenya and verifying photos and video.

This episode of Tomorrow Design dives into biophilia, our inherent love for nature and its influence on design. We explore how incorporating natural elements like light, plants, and even local materials into buildings can significantly improve our well-being. We're joined by Wangui Mwangi, an interior designer who champions biophilic design, particularly within the context of African architecture. Mwangi, who captivated audiences with a TED Talk on the topic, shares five key principles for incorporating biophilia from an African perspective. You can tune into this insightful talk here https://youtu.be/4Jzlxdc0MjI?si=lLZiBk_cTNZIeHl2.
These principles include using local, environmentally friendly materials, embracing natural shapes and patterns, maximizing light and creating open spaces, and fostering a deep respect for nature's role in our lives. The episode unpacks the science behind biophilia, explaining how our brains are wired to respond positively to elements that echo our evolutionary experience. Ultimately, the conversation today concludes that biophilic design offers a powerful tool to reconnect with the natural world and experience the profound benefits it brings to our mental and physical health so that all of humanity can thrive.

On this episode of Tomorrow by Design, hosts Louis, Sid, and Leanne delve into the world of gender-inclusive design with Maryam Wangeshi, an architect and passionate advocate for creating spaces that work for everyone. Wangeshi's journey began with a simple observation: sports grounds, supposedly public spaces that are often designed primarily with men in mind, lacked inclusivity for women. This led her down a path with the mission to make the built environment more equitable and responsive to all genders.
The conversation unfolds with humor and personal anecdotes, painting a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs in this field. Wangeshi highlights the need for diverse sports facilities, safe and well-lit spaces, thoughtful consideration of non-linear travel patterns, and even motherhood amenities like breastfeeding areas. But the fight for inclusivity goes beyond bricks and mortar; it extends to dismantling gender bias within the design and construction industry itself.
A beacon of hope shines through with positive developments like Kenya's Women in Construction forum and the UN Habitat's Her City toolkit (that you can check out here: https://unhabitat.org/her-city-a-guide-for-cities-to-sustainable-and-inclusive-urban-planning-and-design-together-with ), promoting gender balance in design processes. Wangeshi emphasizes the crucial role of data collection and collaboration, paving the way for future design that considers the entire building life cycle, including construction by diverse teams and the use of inclusive materials and techniques.
This episode is more than just informative; it's a call to action. It reminds us that true progress lies in designing not just for some, but for all. By embracing gender-inclusive design, we can create spaces that empower, celebrate, and reflect the richness of our diverse human experience.

This episode tackles spaces beyond bricks and mortar – we're venturing into the realm of Neuro-architecture, where buildings resonate with the human mind. Our guest, Sanjotz, dreams of inclusive spaces that cater to neuro-diverse minds. His brainchild, the Senseum museum, uses multi-sensory experiences to create unforgettable journeys. But Neuro-architecture goes beyond museums – it's about understanding how spaces impact our emotions and well-being. Join us as we explore:
Designing for every mind: How Sanjotz envisions a future where buildings work for everyone, not just the average brain.
Beyond sight: Creating spaces that engage sound, touch, and even smell for a truly immersive experience.
Building bridges: Learn how neuroscience and architecture converge in Neuro-architecture.
Learning resources: Discover where you can study Neuro-architecture, like the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture and the Kenya Interior Design School.
Get ready to reimagine buildings as interactive experiences that nurture all minds. This is Tomorrow by Design, where the future is shaped by empathy and understanding.
Key takeaways:
Neuro-architecture designs spaces that consider the diverse needs of our brains.
Multi-sensory experiences can create deeper connections with places.
We can learn to build structures that cater to every mind, just like we build accessible spaces for physical disabilities.
Want to delve deeper? Check out the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture here ( https://anfarch.org/ ) and the Kenya Interior Design School's short course on Design for Neuro-Divergence.
This episode will leave you thinking: How can we use architecture to create a world where everyone feels welcome and understood?

TBD hosts take a stab at understanding why culture exists in buildings and spaces around us, and why it is important that we continue to embed culture in the built environment.

Show Notes

Projects: Damburtang Museum “Makofi” meme https://x.com/ntvkenya/status/1126860119105359879?s=46 Roy’s LinkedIn

As always, hit us up on IG and Twitter @tbdkenya.

Welcome to the second season of TBD!! A whole lot of content planned this time kicking off with a walk around the CBD with Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai, Urban Development Researcher at the IPS research group at the Department of Spatial Planning in Dortmund University. We explore what its like to travel by foot around the busy capital, and redesigning what walking in Nairobi could look like.

Show Notes:

Equality vs Equity Illustration (Angus Maguire adaptation) - https://interactioninstitute.org/illustrating-equality-vs-equity/ A Historical Account of Walking in Nairobi Within the Context of Spatial Justice by Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12132-022-09476-6 eBee (E-Bicycles for Africa) - https://ebee.africa/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhL6pBhDjARIsAGx8D5_p1gqFZC1PZpe0Wd8-W_1b3ZoCC9jf4DVqBaGu2ySSB8qrLPun8hQaAmU-EALw_wcB Business Daily Article regarding NTSA Data on Pedestrian Deaths - https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/shipping-logistics/pedestrian-deaths-remain-top-as-road-fatalities-drop-4170326 Feedspot’s Top 60 Built Environment Podcasts - https://podcasts.feedspot.com/built_environment_podcasts/

Are you ready??

Due to public demand, the crew is back! And what a way to get back but to make it on to Feedspot's Top 60 Built Environment Podcasts on the web.

A big thank you to Feedspot for the recognition, whose list can be viewed in the link below:

https://blog.feedspot.com/built_environment_podcasts/

Follow us on our socials to be updated on more cool stuff! See you soon...

In this episode, we dive into the world of sustainable buildings with a crash course for dummies on green building. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of eco-friendly construction, from passive design to living walls and everything in between. Whether you're a seasoned sustainability enthusiast or a total newbie, this episode will have you feeling like an expert on all things green building - or at least a little less clueless! So tune in and get ready to go green with the Tomorrow by Design team.

We shift our focus to the Kenyan Expressway, a major infrastructure project in Kenya's capital city. We discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with designing and building such a massive project and the impact it imposes on the lives of the people who use it.

We also have socials! You can reach us@tbd_kenyaTwitter and Instagram. You can also leave a voice message on Spotify.We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions for future episodes.

The TBD crew in this first episode talk about misbehaving infrastructure and contextualized building amongst other things. Have fun!

Welcome to the Tomorrow by Design podcast! We are a group of creatives within the built environment looking to make a lasting impact while having fun along the way. From breaking down sustainable construction to incorporating art in buildings and infrastructure, learn with us how we can interact better with and make the most of the buildings around us.