active design is the design of public spaces to encourage users to adopt certain behaviors. For example, active design encourages physical activity or ecological gestures. Our company designs and produces active design projects all over France. Discover our latest projects for communities and organizations. Finally, contact us for questions or a quote.
Design actif : définition et historique
active design is a concept that originated in the USA in the 1980s. Initially, it was a response to the increasing sedentariness of part of the population. The primary objective of active design was to encourage physical activity through urban design.
Today, the concept has spread all over the world. In addition to physical activity, it encourages responsible, civic-minded behavior. For example, in terms of road safety and environmental protection.
Les 5 grands objectifs du design actif
Today's uses have evolved, and active design meets 5 objectives:
- Free use of space
- Diversity and inclusion
- Encouraging good behavior
- Ease of use
- Improving the quality of public spaces
In this way, active design responds in real time to users' actions and needs. This creates personalized, engaging experiences. What's more, it improves user satisfaction.
active design : transforming public spaces with art
Artistic interventions for positive behavior
active design, such as colorful crosswalks or painted patterns on the ground, transforms public spaces into safe, engaging environments. These visual creations attract attention and positively influence user behavior, encouraging them to respect pedestrian zones or engage in physical activity. By combining aesthetics and functionality, active design energizes urban spaces and enhances the daily lives of residents.
A tailor-made solution for local authorities
Many local authorities are adopting active design to enhance the beauty and safety of their public spaces. Whether the aim is to revitalize a neighborhood, make school zones safer or enhance the attractiveness of pedestrian zones, active design meets the specific needs of each area. By making the most of neglected spaces, active design helps to create welcoming, safe environments for all.
The impact of active design
The importance of active design for inclusive and safe cities
active design plays an essential role in improving the safety and aesthetics of public spaces. Creative floor markings make crosswalks more visible, while colorful patterns encourage soft mobility such as walking or cycling. These solutions also encourage residents to take ownership of their surroundings, reinforcing their sense of belonging and safety.
active design : strengthening city identities and attracting visitors
active design helps shape the visual and cultural identity of cities, transforming public spaces into unique and memorable markers. These artistic interventions, such as painted patterns on the ground or colorful crosswalks, create a strong visual language that reflects a territory's history, values or ambitions. They allow each place to stand out and embody its own identity, reinforcing a sense of local pride among its inhabitants.
By making urban spaces more attractive and photogenic, active design also plays a key role in attracting tourists. Unique, bold works of art, visible from the ground, become real landmarks or points of interest, arousing the curiosity of visitors and energizing city centers or less-frequented districts. By combining art, functionality and storytelling, active design transforms cities into captivating and engaging destinations.
Interactive play zones
Playful, colorful patterns, such as giant hopscotches, mazes and sports courses, are painted on the ground in parks, schoolyards and public squares. These installations encourage play, physical activity and conviviality in spaces that are often under-used.
Artistic bike paths
Les pistes cyclables peuvent être transformées grâce à des motifs visuels créatifs et des couleurs vibrantes, rendant leur tracé plus visible pour les cyclistes et les automobilistes, tout en ajoutant une touche esthétique aux infrastructures urbaines.
Safety zones in front of schools
Creative road markings, such as footprints, animals or playful motifs, alert children and drivers to areas where they need to slow down. These zones contribute to greater safety, while engaging users in a positive way.
Where can you create active design ?
In concrete terms, an active design project can have several dimensions:
- signage (floor and wall markings, etc.)
- urban itinerary
- street furniture
- playful artwork
- artistic sports fields
- construction or renovation of urban spaces.
The main stages in an active design project
Understanding users
First of all, you need to understand the people who use the site. To do this, determine their needs, habits, preferences and behaviors.
Define project objectives
Next, determine what you want to achieve with this project. For example, is it to encourage social interaction? Or to promote sport? Or to improve safety?
Design development
Then use the information gathered to create a design. This can include interactive art installations, urban games, awareness-raising devices, etc.
Involving the various stakeholders
At the same time, involve local authorities, residents, shopkeepers and associations.
Sustainability and accessibility
Finally, make sure the project is sustainable and accessible to all.
Exemples de réalisations de design actif
Sécurité École by Art : quand l’art et le design actif transforment la ville
PALM and the Renault Foundation are launching the national Sécurité École by Art program, which uses urban art and active design to reinvent school approaches. In Les Mureaux, the first city involved in the project, ground frescoes and graphic paths transform sidewalks and traffic areas into colorful, legible and safe spaces. With artist Amy Jones, this artistic and functional intervention raises awareness of road safety while enlivening life in the school district.
- Customer: Renault Foundation
- Location: Mureaux (78)
- Artist : Amy Jones
- Surface area: 2200 m²
- Budget: around €150 k
active design to create an outdoor toy library
La mairie du Pré Saint-Gervais a fait appel à nous pour créer une ludothèque en plein air.
These floor frescoes by Alix d'Anselme offer a new playground for local residents. They feature floral motifs, animals, geometric shapes and more. A fine example of active design artisticactive design .
To carry out this project, we organized creative workshops around participative frescoes with local residents. .
- Customer: Pré Saint-Gervais Town Hall
- Location: Pré Saint-Gervais (93)
- Artist : Alix d'Anselme
- Surface area: 400 m²
active design to prevent road accidents near schools
The town of Blois approached PALM for a project combining active design and road safety. Our artists painted eight zones (schools, crossroads, crosswalks, cycle paths, etc.) around 3 of the town's schools.
Firstly, the project aimed to make these different areas more identifiable. Secondly, the aim was to encourage motorists to drive more slowly and be more considerate of other road users.
- Customer : City of Blois
- Location: Blois (41)
- Artist : La Ménin'gère
- Surface area: 1,000 m²
active design for a walk in the park
L’aire des vents est un espace de 28 hectares aménagé dans les années 80 pour accueillir de grands évènements. À l’occasion des JO Paris 2024, il a été transformé en parcours artistique.
So we created frescoes on the ground to form an artistic trail. This invites users to stroll and run around the park. The colors chosen obviously refer to the Olympic Games.
- Customer : La Plaine Commune
- Location: Dugny (93)
- Surface area: 4,800 sq.m
Du design actif pour faciliter la circulation sur un carrefour
In Bobigny, PALM supported the transformation of a crossroads undergoing major urban change, with the forthcoming arrival of the T Zen. The aim was to make the space more legible, welcoming and safe for pedestrians.
A monumental floor murals by artist Alice Beck encircles the crossroads, guiding residents and visitors through crosswalks, sidewalks and subway entrances.
Its organic shapes and bright colors make it a landmark of identity, inviting everyone to reclaim public space.
- Client : Conseil départemental de la Seine-Saint-Denis
- Localisation : Bobigny (93)
- Artist : Alice Beck
- Surface area: 500 m²
