Laura Gonzalez Vega

As part of 'Professional Studies' module, we developed our own proto-practice. Common Place addresses the issues such as land banking and community focussed design by acting as a mediator between land owners or public authorities and community developers (community interest groups who are developing sites they have purchased). By removing the developer from the process, we are working directly with the end users over the lifecycle of the building. This creates better design as well as the opportunity to work with the same clients over many years. 

 

We propose the Common Place App shows available brownfield sites, encouraging participation in feasibility discussions and the option to invest in established projects. The app brings people together who are interested in the development of their area or a specific site, offering advice on funding available, land ownership models and the opportunity to invest. Also allowing us to communicate with potential clients and build a relationship long before the project has been confirmed. 

 

Our ethos of democratic land ownership, community participation and environmental concern has informed the business structure, marketing, future projections, financial management and quality control. This is an interesting and rewarding business model as we are actively looking for projects, in constant contact with our target market and helping to democratise land within the city. We develop strong relationships with our clients, staying in contact with them through post occupancy evaluations and open house events. We distinguish ourselves from other architectural practices by offering additional services between stage 0 and 1 of the RIBA plan of work. Clients then are more likely to choose us to take their drawings through to planning and construction. Importantly, this is a profitable business model. By removing the developer, we reduce the client’s budget and allow a little more space for fees. We take our profit as we increase the value of the site.