In the first episode of Retrofitting Our Reality, Rebecca Stewart, CEO of Artus Air, talks with our very own Ruth Wainwright about the human element of design thinking and how interiors can bring people together, connecting people in spaces with purposeful design, in a world that often feels disconnected.
Ruth shares insights from her work on vocoZeal Exeter, Europe’s first net zero carbon hotel, showing how bio-based materials, lighting and acoustics can nurture both sustainability and wellbeing.
“There’s a real epidemic of loneliness. If we can create environments that help people connect again, that’s when design becomes something deeply human.”
Together, Rebecca and Ruth explore:
- Designing with purpose and empathy
- Balancing sustainability with comfort and cost
- Creating spaces that foster belonging and create tribes
- Why collaboration leads to better outcomes
Photography credit: Louise Mather & Ruth Wainwright
