The destructive legacy of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and scare-mongering click-bait, among other factors – have led to unprecedented levels of stress. Our physical and mental health has been affected like never before, with one in six people in the UK having a neurological condition, according to NHS figures.

As architects and landscape architects, we are responding to this. The concept of designing places and spaces for mental health and happiness is by no means a new one; from the Roman era to modern times, people around the world have sought to create environments that are soothing to the soul.

This is now more important than ever – and there are a number of ways in which design can have a positive impact on mental health: scale, choice of materials and selection of colours, all have their place. I would argue though, that the most effective way to promote wellbeing through design is the incorporation of nature into our built environments, otherwise known as biophilic design.