Amid concerns about worsening childhood mental wellness and the damaging effects of pollution on growing bodies, biophilic design can help create healthier, soothing learning environments. Cocooning kids in greenery not only boosts their physical and mental wellbeing, but also teaches them about natural ecosystems.

Children’s play is a serious matter – research shows it’s essential for kids’ socio-emotional and core skills development. Schools and brands alike are encouraging energetic, tactile, in-real-life recreational time to combat childhood obesity and tech device addiction. We’re seeing this echoed in play for adults, too.

Nearly 240 million children globally have some form of disability (Unicef, 2021). Recognising their diverse needs, differentiated instruction is gaining ground as a teaching method and inspiring multifaceted, need-sensitive spaces in turn. Migrant and refugee families represent another vulnerable cohort receiving overdue attention from designers.

Gen Alpha is set to inherit an increasingly volatile world, as the climate crisis (already a major worry for today’s children) converges with the digitalisation of society and geopolitical power struggles. This future calls for agility and resilience – both in the mindsets that kids are taught and the spaces they inhabit.