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Thought Leadership
As thought leaders in hospitality, commercial, and residential spaces, we explore the art and science of design thinking, blending creativity with functionality to shape extraordinary environments.
Discover expert tips, emerging trends, and transformative strategies that redefine spaces and enhance human experiences. Stay ahead of the curve with our innovative ideas and industry expertise, designed to empower architects, designers, and business owners alike.


Human Behaviour, Designing For Dining.
Human Behaviour" explores Design-for-Behaviour, a people-first design approach transforming spaces into successful, community-driven venues.

COOOP
3 min read
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How What We See, Impacts What We Hear.
Explore how our senses interact and shape perception, revealing the surprising ways vision influences hearing. From the famous McGurk Effect to multisensory experiences in everyday environments, this blog uncovers how what we see can alter what we hear. Understanding these connections helps designers and architects create more engaging, immersive, and healthy spaces that influence behaviour, wellbeing, and overall experience.

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


Design comes last: The key to unlocking highly successful hospitality venues.
Designing hospitality spaces with neuroscience and behaviour in mind creates emotionally engaging, profitable, and highly desired venues.

Callie van der Merwe
7 min read


EnviroHacking 2025: Shape Your Surroundings, Shape Your Future.
2025 is the year of transformation. Use envirohacking—small changes in your space—to influence behaviour and achieve your goals effectively

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


A Visible Briefcase Can Increase Competition.
A briefcase in sight can unconsciously trigger competitive behaviour, shaping actions even when people aren't aware of its influence.

Callie van der Merwe
2 min read


How Flowers Increase Social Connection.
Discover how flowers boost mood, reduce stress, foster connections, and even promote healing, transforming lives and spaces around us.

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


Why Mirrors Makes Us Honest.
Mirrors heighten self-awareness, influencing honesty and behaviour by prompting introspection and alignment with personal and social norms.

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


How Drunk Tank Pink Changed Prisoner Behaviour.
Drunk-Tank Pink, or Baker-Miller Pink, revolutionized prison design by reducing aggression, proving how colour can transform behaviour

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


Design Partnership Rebrands as COOOP
Design Partnership Australia has rebranded as COOOP, marking a bold step in our international expansion. With a legacy of excellence in Desi

COOOP
2 min read


How Architecture Predicts Behaviour.
Discover how architecture influences human behaviour, emotions, and health, with insights from neuroscience and design psychology.

Callie van der Merwe
5 min read


Why Public Spaces Can Cause Feelings of Risk.
Disorienting public spaces can evoke anxiety and risk. Explore how design choices impact our emotions and the need for intuitive navigation.

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


We Prefer the Perception of Real Over Real.
We often prioritise the illusion of authenticity over reality, valuing how things appear more than their true essence, even in design and m

Callie van der Merwe
3 min read


How a New School Design is Blamed For Poor Student Behaviour.
Can school design impact student behaviour? A look at Pencoedtre High School reveals how open layouts may exacerbate behavioural challenges

Callie van der Merwe
5 min read
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