Design approach & services

Change is inevitable—but meaningful transformation requires vision, strategy, and action. Kornelia Dimitrova helps communities and organizations navigate uncertainty and shape more inclusive, sustainable futures. Centred around 4 core services, this approach is grounded in research, collaboration, and real-world experimentation. Every project is unique, and requires a tailor made setup of expertises and approaches. To find out what we could do together, reach out via the button below.

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Research & Advice

How can we understand the present situation to inspire new ideas for the future?
To create meaningful transformations, we first need to deeply understand the site, its community, and its challenges. Our research focuses on spatial and community dynamics, identifying key opportunities and barriers to change.
We analyse:

• How the site relates to its transformation goals.
• The needs and perceptions of the organization and community.
• The physical qualities, conditions, and past interventions.
• The key stakeholders shaping the space’s evolution.

Deliverable: A visual report that maps challenges, opportunities, and strategic directions for the site’s future.

​Example works:

mapping change by care

community mapping

Triangulating Evidence

Participatory Actions & Experiments

Who needs to be involved in the transformation process?
When and how should we engage them?
Transforming a space impacts the people connected to it—and their involvement is key to a successful transition. Through participatory actions, we engage communities early in the process, using hands-on experiments to test ideas in real settings.
Our approach considers:

• The community’s values, needs, and capacities.
• The best timing and format for engagement.
• Social and spatial factors that influence participation.

We design interactive workshops, events, and temporary installations that naturally fit the place and its people.
Deliverable: A custom engagement strategy that ensures meaningful community involvement.

Example works:
​The Stadsoever shows what is possible when this is approached as an outdoor event series, while the Moral lab is a great example of how to do this through a dedicated spatial installations.

stadsoever Eindhoven

Moral Lab

Future Scenarios

What future narratives and aesthetics are possible?
How will they shape the organisation, community, and larger system?

Envisioning the future is a critical step in any transformation. Using scenario design, we create visual and strategic explorations of what a space or community could become. These alternative futures help stakeholders compare possibilities and choose the most desirable path forward.

Our approach includes:

• Identifying key trends and challenges.
• Exploring multiple “what-if” scenarios.
• Defining the most plausible and preferable future directions.

Deliverable: A set of visualized future scenarios to guide decision-making and inspire long-term planning.

Example works:
The Future scenarios for De Grote Beek and Envisioning the Anthropocene show two approaches for developing alternative future visions.

what if stations give back?

future scenarios for de Grote Beek

Envisioning the Anthropocene

Strategy for Transformation & Innovation

How can we ensure long-term transformation while staying adaptable?
How do we maintain vision and strategy despite changes in team or leadership?

A clear strategy connects short-term actions with a long-term vision. We help organizations develop structured yet flexible transformation roadmaps that ensure continuity, even as teams evolve over time.
Our strategic design approach includes:

• Translating vision into practical, step-by-step strategies.
• Embedding learning into the transformation process.
• Connecting social and spatial changes for sustainable results.

Deliverable: A custom transformation strategy that adapts over time while staying aligned with your long-term goals.

See it in action:
A great example of this is the Playbook for Healing environments, published in 2021 on commission by GGz Eindhoven, to help inspire and guide the complex spatial transformation.

Playbook for healing environments