About
Future Places Studio is the built environment's independent research partner.
Founded in 2016, we set out to use high-quality, people-led research to support the sector in its mission to create better places. Our work spans three complementary strands: place-based research, which builds a deeper understanding of a specific place; thematic research, which explores the systemic changes needed to make better places possible; and narrative research, which uncovers the stories, identity and ambitions that help shape a compelling narrative for a place.
We combine qualitative and quantitative approaches, choosing the methods that best fit the question. On the qualitative side, this includes stakeholder interviews, focus groups, workshops, site observation and case study analysis, which capture the experience, motivations and context behind the numbers. On the quantitative side, we use surveys, spatial and demographic analysis, benchmarking and economic modelling to test ideas, size opportunities and build a robust evidence base. Bringing the two together gives our clients findings that are both credible and compelling.
Over the years, we have worked across the full breadth of the sector. We partner with networks and membership bodies including the NLA, BCO and LPA, developers such as British Land, Lendlease and HB Reavis, architects including Make, Hawkins\Brown and Perkins&Will, and anchor institutions such as Imperial College London, LBIC and the Institute of Cancer Research.
Our research serves different audiences in different ways. It has been used to lobby government for policy change, to help design teams unlock a place-based challenge, to push our sector to address certain societal topics or simply to celebrate the good work of our sector.
As AI advances and evidence becomes easier to generate, we believe the value of rigorous, people-led research has only grown. Insight still depends on judgement, context and conversation with the people who live in and use a place, and those who work tirelessly to make those places as good as they can be. That is why our researchers, all built environment professionals, are united by a shared ambition to raise the standard and use of good research across our sector.