DESIGN

Architecture and design can significantly improve and enhance rights.

They can tackle discrimination and improve people’s physical and mental health, elevating entire communities. But lack of awareness, commitment, and resources remains a major constraint to human rights-centred design.

Click the overarching and stage-specific principles below to review the guiding questions across this stage. These questions will help you to identify the main human rights risks and opportunities and develop a tailored action plan.

Overarching
principles

All human rights standards are upheld

Everyone has the opportunity to participate and engage meaningfully

Trade unions and civil society can operate freely

All decisions are free from corruption

Environmental

stage specific
principles

Expanded inclusion and accessibility

Positive health impact

Design seeks to open rather than close space

Materials are selected and sourced responsibly

Design respects the natural environment

Design respects and seeks to maximise access to the natural environment

Tackling climate change is essential for the fulfilment of human rights. Recognising the need for joint climate and social action, the Framework offers high-level environmental considerations but avoids details, given the abundance of existing climate and environmental frameworks, which include:

BREEAM
BREEAM Infrastructure (formerly CEEQUAL)
LEED
Passivhaus
DGNB
Envision
Circular Economy Principles
IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards
GRESB