The Architect’s Journal recently featured an article examining the nuances of co-design. Angel Yard Cohousing has been featured as a leading example in authentic and inclusive community engagement and co-design.

Rowan, an active member of Angel Yard Cohousing, reflects on the co-design process led by TOWN and Archio.

At Angel Yard, the cohousing group have full transparency of all design options and constraints which are explored with the design team to reach a collective resolution. Rowan reflects that:

“‘If you don’t have residents involved, you end up with, essentially, a generic design”

Designs have been informed through meetings, feedback sessions, online and in-person workshops. The group have also been using an online whiteboard tool to explore options and draw ideas in real-time with members that are based across the UK.

Beyond Angel Yard, the article dissects the disparities between consultation and genuine co-design, emphasising the need for participatory processes over one-sided information dissemination.

Read the full article here.