Cynefin: creating a sense of belonging through design
Cynefin is a Welsh word with no direct English translation.
It conveys a layered understanding of habitat, home, community and belonging.
These ideas sit at the heart of how we design meaningful university environments, where people feel connected, supported and inspired. Creating a sense of belonging through design means thinking at every scale of campus life. From the intimacy of study groups and academic collaboration to the energy of campus engagement, the quality of physical spaces, and the university’s evolving relationship with its city and the wider world. Every space we create is an opportunity to enrich university life, foster community and craft lasting places where people truly belong.
Individual
Belonging begins with the individual. The smallest moments of comfort and clarity can shape how someone experiences a space. Designing for personal experience means creating environments that support focus, reflection and well-being. From quiet corners for study to areas that offer privacy, warmth and accessibility, every detail contributes to making a campus welcoming from the inside out. Listening to the needs of students and staff through meaningful consultation ensures these spaces reflect lived experiences and respond to what truly matters.
Our expertise
Spectra – School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire
A landmark new science building at College Lane brings state-of-the-art facilities, including labs and research technology, together under one roof.
Guy's Student Village
The Student Village is a distinctive residential environment at the heart of the London Bridge campus.
University of Birmingham, Teaching and Learning Building
Designed to provide a flexible range of vibrant teaching, learning and study environments for collaboration and reflection.
Academic
Learning connects us to others and builds the foundation for intellectual growth. In academic spaces, it is essential integrate digital technologies with flexible layouts that facilitate both hybrid learning and face-to-face interaction. Designing spaces that accommodate group collaboration, individual study and research clusters means paying close attention to elements like acoustics and natural light. Visual connectivity between teaching spaces and communal areas encourages informal learning, while zoning and wayfinding support intuitive navigation across academic buildings.
Our expertise
Coventry University College of Arts and Society
The new home for the College of Arts and Society at Coventry University reimagines two brutalist buildings.
Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport
Repurposing an existing building to create a modern teaching, research, and support facility.
Welsh School of Architecture
The major refurbishment of Cardiff University’s Grade II Listed Bute Building to create a new and iconic home for the Welsh School of Architecture.
Campus Life
Campus life shapes the everyday experience of students beyond the classroom. It is essential to develop environments that blend professional services, clubs and societies, comprehensive student services, sports facilities and quality student housing. These spaces support the full student journey, from well-being and recreation to leadership and self-expression, fostering a vibrant community that is as dynamic as it is inclusive. Designing spaces that are flexible in use and easily navigable supports a healthy and engaged student experience.
Our expertise
Learning and Teaching Building, University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde’s new Learning and Teaching Building is at the heart of its Rottenrow Campus in Glasgow.
Meridian Square
New purpose built student residential tower in a prominent location in East London.
Physical Campus
The physical campus forms the tangible framework for how people interact, navigate and feel part of a wider community. Creating green spaces, an accessible public realm and thoughtfully arranged buildings encourage interaction and connection. By considering accessible circulation, clear sightlines and inviting outdoor areas, every element contributes to a campus that feels cohesive, intuitive and alive with shared purpose. The use of biodiverse planting and a strong landscape narrative can further root the campus in its local ecology and enhance wellbeing.
Our expertise
University of Warwick - STEM Cluster
This visionary precinct will include new research facilities, science labs and classrooms run by field specialists in the STEM departments.
Manchester Metropolitan University, Science and Engineering
Redevelopment of MMU’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, delivering advanced teaching, research facilities and flexible, future-ready spaces.
City
A university does not exist in isolation, and thrives when it engages with its urban surroundings. By integrating design with transport networks, urban planning and local infrastructure, it creates gateways that link the campus with innovation hubs, sporting venues, cultural events and employment opportunities. These connections ensure that the campus not only plays an active role in the life of the city but also enriches the urban fabric through civic partnership and vibrant exchange. Clear public spaces that invite footfall, and transport interchanges that support movement all help anchor the campus in the wider city.
Our expertise
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McMaster University Campus Plan
We collaborated with McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, to shape its future as a leading research institution.
Bright Building, Manchester Science Park
Bright Building will set the standard for new development within the Manchester Science Partnerships’ portfolio.
University of Strathclyde, Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC)
A competition winning design for University of Strathclyde's, Technology and Innovation Centre.
Global
Increasingly, a sense of belonging extends beyond local boundaries to embrace an international identity. Designing for global engagement means creating spaces that support digital exchange, nurture international partnerships and celebrate cross-cultural collaboration. Whether through campuses abroad or integrated global networks, these designs help universities express their unique identity on a worldwide stage, reinforcing their commitment to internationalisation and global connection. Spaces that are culturally welcoming and digitally equipped help to ground this global perspective in daily campus life.
Our expertise
Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University South Campus
The masterplan provides a large-scale campus with world-class teaching, laboratory and research facilities.
BDP designs landmark University of Southampton Campus in Delhi
BDP has been appointed to lead the design of the University of Southampton’s new campus in Delhi.
Higher Education design at BDP
A sense of belonging is never created in isolation. It emerges when all the scales of university life, from the individual to the global, are considered in tandem. When designed to complement one another, they form a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. This layered approach allows universities to support their students and faculty in meaningful, lasting ways. Explore our latest Higher Education brochure to see how we bring these principles to life.
Speak to our team of experts
Akshay Khera
Rob Stevens
Steve Merridew
