The S5 initiative

The S5 Initiative is a response to ever changing living environments that require new design approaches. The villages, suburbs, and cities of the past have been transformed by human progress; digital technologies, telecommunications, globalization, multiculturalism, and gender transformation of the work force, among other challenges, have all redefined how modern societies coexist. The S5 Initiative, a brainchild of Shift5 International, is an exclusive think-tank that seeks to conceptualize potential living environments and foster the innovative spirit through research and collaboration. Living underwater or in space—nothing is off limits as we consider the future of habitation. Employing S5’s diverse field of expertise, we strive to shed light on the relationships between people, their built environment, and natural surroundings. The results inspire design solutions more responsive to modern human needs.