‘Demand interestingness’: Thomas Heatherwick rails against boring buildings

The John Lewis store (left) and car park in Leeds: an example of an ‘interesting’ structure, according to Heatherwick. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Boring, soulless buildings are making people stressed and lonely, according to Thomas Heatherwick, the British designer behind the 2012 Olympic cauldron.

The designer is embarking on a crusade to persuade architects and developers to create buildings that inspire feelings of joy and stimulation.