“Social design” is one of those vague terms that could be appropriated to mean almost anything. Hospitality project? Social design. New retail store? Social design. Agile workplace? Yes, technically it’s social design, too. So what is it about these seemingly disparate, varied sector projects that unite them under the “social” banner?

This is something we asked ourselves in great detail when creating the INDE.Awards Social Space category – and after much research and discussion, here’s what we discovered…

The Social Space is characterised by design that imaginatively brings people together. These are impressive spaces where we interact, play – even work. It’s a design that is purpose-built to encourage people to collide and interact with one another. It’s a design that uses the principles of typical human behaviour to create strategic spaces that direct and produce social activity.

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Brought to you by Living Edge, we present your 2017 INDE.Awards shortlist for The Social Space:

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PLAYbox at Esplanade Theatres, Lekker Architects

Cinemaxx Junior, DP Design

Mezzi Master Bookshop & Exhibit, One Plus Partnership

Sensory Lab, Foolscap Studio

M&G Café and Bar at The Star, Luchetti Krelle

The University of Sydney Business School, Carr

Humming Puppy, Karen Abernethy Architects

Woollahra Library, BVN

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Checkout the official result of the INDE.Awards here.