Public art is evolving. While we often envision it as striking sculptures or vibrant murals that breathe life into urban spaces, there's a movement that’s transforming the landscape—integrating art into the very fabric of buildings. This isn't just an afterthought or a municipal checkbox; it's a strategic move that offers unparalleled benefits.

Today the integration of art and storytelling into places of transportation hubs such as airports is more commonplace. Throughout the United States and Australia, we are seeing an increase in public art funding for transportation hubs, that celebrates the uniqueness of place. Interiors are now finding a balance between the benefits of simple, functional design with the integration of a range of different public art and design elements that speak of the history and experience of a place.

Here are our top ten reasons why public art is important, how it brings value to the community, and the positive impact of public art on industry. We feature local examples from here in Perth, Western Australia and overseas.

Earlier this year, Forlano Design was commissioned to take a conceptual design from the team at Missions Connect and detail the works to ensure it was built in a way to suit their budget, time constraints, and structural requirements. The works were for ‘Limen’, an exhibition telling the stories of three Stolen Generation Survivors; Edith DeGiambattista, Tonji Hansen, and Tim Flowers.

Is ornament still looked down upon in architecture and design or can ornamentation of surfaces be valuable? Can surfaces teach us, inspire us or shift attitudes? Can it link us to the past, present and inspire the future? Can it tell us about our culture, the place and its people? By understanding the indigenous and non-indigenous feelings towards decoration, we can see that surface decoration can be superficial, but it can also be meaningful, powerful and connect community

Sustainable design considers measurable actions such as carbon footprint and the like, but designers also need to consider the more immeasurable but still important aspect of enduring design. Through consumer behaviour studies and understanding what makes people love and care for their objects and environment, designers can encourage the reduction of the overall volume of consumption.

I thought I’d post my opening night of the “Shield of Voices” exhibition as it seems as relevant today as it was in 2018. The artwork was the culmination of her Artist in Residence experience with Edith Cowan University and the Parliament of Western Australia, reflecting on women in politics and how the architecture itself is not reflective of an inclusive design that welcomes women.

Inclusive design is regulated, but what about making people feel included emotionally, such as reflecting who we are as a person, our culture, or extended community? How can our public spaces build a sense of kinship, cultural connection, and respect for others?