About
BETTERNESS is a strategic consultancy dedicated to future-proofing spaces. Founded by Robert Thiemann, we help organisations translate their identity, values, and ambitions into spatial strategies, briefs, and partnerships. We do not design spaces ourselves—we create the frameworks, direction and connections that allow design teams to thrive.
Our story
After more than 25 years as co-founder and director of Frame magazine, Robert Thiemann launched BETTERNESS to bridge the gap between vision and realisation in spatial design. Drawing on his global network of architects, designers, developers, and brands, he built BETTERNESS as a platform where strategy, culture and design come together.
BETTERNESS operates across retail, workplace, hospitality and public environments—always guided by five principles: wellbeing, togetherness, sustainability, adaptability and transformative experience.
What we bring
Strategic clarity: helping organisations articulate their ambitions and turn them into actionable briefs.
Future insights: uncovering cultural, technological, and economic shifts shaping tomorrow’s spaces.
Connections: linking clients with the right creative partners to bring visions to life.
Dialogue: moderating and curating conversations that move the field of spatial design forward.
Team
BETTERNESS operates as both consultancy and agency. At its core, it is led by founder Robert Thiemann, who draws on a trusted network of multi-disciplinary creatives and cross-sector specialists. This flexible model allows us to assemble the right expertise for each project—ensuring every challenge is met with the knowledge and creativity it requires.
Robert Thiemann
Robert Thiemann is a strategic consultant, curator and moderator with a background in publishing and global thought leadership. As co-founder of Frame magazine, he helped define the international conversation on design for over two decades. Today, through BETTERNESS, he supports organisations, brands and institutions in shaping life-centred, future-proof spaces. He also serves as Ambassador of IE School of Architecture and Design, where he curates and moderates global dialogues on the future of interiors.
Tracey Ingram
Tracey is a spatial designer turned wordsmith, storyteller, moderator, (content) strategist and yoga teacher. Since 2010, she’s been honing her craft at FRAME magazine – first in-house and since 2018 as editor at large – scouring the globe for the most relevant and influential interior developments and distilling their significance in an engaging and digestible way. Tracey also creates editorial-style content and catchy copy for design studios and brands, such as Moooi, Ege, Space10 and Vescom.
Rita Chow
Founder and Chief Director of Shenzhen's Sunshine PR, Rita Chow is a global expert in strategic branding and marketing for the architecture and design industries. With over 14 years of experience, she founded China's first agency dedicated to empowering architects and designers through comprehensive branding solutions. As a judge and founder of the Global Design Awards Lab, Rita champions emerging talents and drives innovation across the design community.
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