Designing a home for an individual client can be a wonderful experience. However, when the scale increases there can be more problems. How do you design a full estate and ensure that you meet so many different needs? Co-production could be the answer. As one of the very best architects London can offer, we want to take a closer look at how it works.

What is it?

Before we begin, we want to have a quick look at what co-production is. In a very basic sense it is a collaborative effort where architects, decision makers and residents work together to form a plan. This is not a new idea. In fact, it dates back to the 70s. Today it is a standard practice when looking at things like providing public services.

How can it work?

The main thing here is to invite people to take part. While the architect and developer could create a fine plan together, it can reach new heights by asking members of the community to give their ideas. They can shape everything from communal spaces and amenities to the type and style of housing they want. After all, who is better to decide what to include than the end users? This is a strategy architects in London should think about.

A good rule of thumb here is to ensure there are no barriers to entry. You want as many people as possible to give their views so you have the broadest idea of what they need from the project. You don’t want people to feel excluded in any way, even if they have no experience. Their knowledge and insights could still be very valuable.

At the same time there should be no ceiling on the co-production. You don’t want to ask for opinions and ideas only to say after a certain point you won’t take them on board. It is better to consider everything, even the most outlandish ideas, because they can still have merit.

Will it help?

There have been many examples of this kind of project across different parts of the UK. It can provide some really impressive benefits, including higher property take up and happier residents. In fact, if the architect is working with a co-housing community group, there may be higher off plan sales. This can really help the developer as it means it de-risks their investment.

There are some risks to think about though. It can make projects take longer and increase the design cost. Decision making can also be trickier. However, the whole experience can be richer if you get it right.

Discuss plans with leading architects in London

Coffey Architects is a team with a very diverse range of skills. One look in our portfolio and you can see how broad they are. For example, we are comfortable working with private clients, local councils, developers, businesses, educational institutions, and much more. On any project we can try co-production to produce the best possible results.

So, why not speak to us today about your ideas? You will get everything you expect and more from the top architects London can offer. This includes design and planning support, tips, and even management if you need it.