Design education within the Higher Education sector must recognise its critical role in preparing students to design solutions for the challenges of the future. This paper explores the theoretical and conceptual similarities and differences between design and futures thinking that can be integrated for more socially and economically impactful design practice that shapes the future. The role of future-focused design can also play a significant role in the teaching of disciplines and subjects outside of the design field.

This research investigates the transformation of studio-based learning environments within spatial design education, focusing on the increasing need for adaptability, immersion, and sustainability. With roots in Interior Design and Architectural Education, traditional studio models have historically centred on fixed, institution-bound environments. However, shifts in ecological consciousness, technological advancement, and pedagogical priorities demand a rethinking of the studio typology. This paper proposes an alternative: the immersive nomadic studio.