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Applications: Now Open

Design Researchers in Residence

Apply now to join the 2026/27 cohort of Design Researchers in Residence with projects responding to the theme of ‘Grown’.
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Design Generators

Apply for funding to combine design-led interventions with arts and humanities methodologies to make positive contributions to the green transition
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Design Researchers in Residence: Mineral

A free display of new design research, responding to the climate crisis.
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Publication: Design Researchers in Residence 2025/26 MINERAL

This publication features the work of the 2025/26 Design Researchers in Residence. It accompanies an exhibition staged at the Design Museum from June to September 2026. This year's theme, Mineral,
 
Authors: Alfred Yatlong Yeung, Elise Limon, Rafael El Baz, Rosa Whiteley, Abbie Adams & Leilah Hirson-Comley

The Stone Demonstrator

A low-carbon construction prototype putting pre-tensioned stone building techniques to the test. Visit The Stone Demonstrator at Empress Place on the Earls Court Development site.
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On display at the Design Museum

Tools for Transition brings together four UK research projects driving change across housing, healthcare, local planning and resource management. Free to visit.
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Research updates

Weaving Voices into Place

Tools for Transition

Combing the digital coastline

Tools for Transition

South Powys Design Lab

UK 2040

What does the world sound like to a tree?

An interview with Mike Thompson

Future Observatory Journal

Issue Nº3: In Abundance

Climate Clock installed at the Design Museum

First seen trawling the streets of Glasgow alongside protestors at COP26, the Climate Clock is making its Design Museum debut with Future Observatory.
 

Questions of Scale: reflecting on our first symposium

“The first question any design researcher with an innovative idea encounters is, how do you scale that up?”
 

Open call: Design Ecosystem Fellowships

Future Observatory has today launched its first open call for researchers to apply for our Design Ecosystem Fellowships programme.
 

Questions of Scale: Economy and Ecology

We’re delighted to invite you to our very first public event, Questions of Scale, a symposium hosted at the Design Museum on 10 February.
 

Welcome to Future Observatory

Future Observatory is a new national programme for design research supporting the UK’s response to the climate crisis.
 
meet the future observatory network
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