Thomas Heatherwick is one of the UK’s most prolific designers, whose varied work over two decades is characterised by its originality, inventiveness and humanity. Defying conventional classifications, Thomas founded his studio in 1994 to bring together architecture, urban planning, product design and interiors into a single creative workspace. The studio creates emotionally compelling places and objects with the smallest possible climate shadow. Recent UK projects include Coal Drops Yard, a major retail district in King’s Cross in London, and the new headquarters for Google in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group.

Thomas believes that emotion is the crucial ingredient that is missing in so much of design today. When did everything become so boring and homogenous? Who is really thinking about how to make buildings, places and objects mean something to us - to lift our spirits and connect us? How can we make our cities more human?

Thomas’ book, Humanise, was published by Penguin in October 2023 and all conference attendees will receive a copy on the day.