Ahead of July’s Design + Innovation Meetup, we speak with Colette McCartney (Principal, Interior Architect) and Michael Carter (Associate Principal, Architectural Designer) from Wingates about the role of how design shapes how we experience spaces – and what others can learn from it. 

What’s the difference between architecture and interior design? 
Architecture is the overall structure – how a building is planned, how it sits on a site and how it functions at a macro level. Interior design focuses on what happens inside that framework – how people move through a space, how it feels to be in and how it supports its day-to-day use. The two need to work together. When they’re aligned, people don’t think about it – it just works. 

What would surprise people about architecture? 
Probably how much detail is involved. It’s easy to think of architecture as big-picture or conceptual, but a lot of the work is in the small decisions – how people enter a space, where they go next, how light is used and how materials feel. There’s a reason behind all of those choices. It’s a mix of creativity and problem solving, where the detail really matters. 

What’s key when making architectural changes? 
A big part of the process is understanding what’s already there. Before suggesting changes, you need to understand the building – how it was designed, how it’s being used and how it’s evolved over time. You can’t just come in and change things without understanding how you got to that point. That context shapes what’s possible and what will actually work. It’s about responding to the space, not imposing something on it. 

Why should people care about design? 
Design is part of everyday life. Most people interact with designed spaces all the time, even if they don’t realise it. It influences how comfortable, confident or at ease you feel in a place. You notice it most when it’s not working. Good design helps people do what they need to do, without getting in the way. 

How does design shape a city? 
Design has a big influence on how a city feels and functions. The quality of buildings and spaces affects how connected they feel to it and whether they want to spend time there. Over time, that shapes how people see the city – and how they use it. Well-designed environments contribute to places that feel welcoming, easy to navigate and fit for purpose. 

At the upcoming Design + Innovation Meetup, Colette and Michael will share how this thinking plays out in practice, drawing on local projects and their experience across people-focused environments. This session offers the opportunity for an in-depth, practical look at how design influences experience – whether in a building, a workplace or a wider system.

Register for free now.