&rchitecture is an evocation for an architectural establishment that
increasingly recognises that we cannot continue to worship the
Starchitect while our world fears extinction. Citizen architects know we can no longer draw a line of responsibility at the building threshold - they understand that politically engaged design is essential if we are to address our difficult and urgent social and environmental issues.

&rchitecture tackles these challenges through the subjects we
address (structural inequalities); the methods we employ (critical
creative processes) and the people we work for/with (inclusive and
intersectional). To do this we literally begin with the ‘and’ that comes before ‘architecture’ – the different lived experiences and social concerns that comprise the world in all its complexity. We ask - how can designing with difference (different bodies, different methods, different ambitions) become a generator of more exciting and challenging design ideas?

 

Working at all scales, staff and students have developed consultancy projects and design proposals that explore the difference design can make in creating spatially inclusive cities, neighbourhoods, and homes.

 

In 2021 student-led research projects looked at the spatial conditions of marginalised groups all around the world, grappling with complex situations such as:

 

• Imagining how the murder of George Floyd might have been prevented by developing an anti-racist masterplan for Minneapolis

 

• Creating guides for feminist urban design alongside designs for safer city spaces as part of live campaigns working with women, police, and politicians

       #genderstepgap

 

• Using the EU budget for building a new Lesbos refugee camp to demonstrate how those stranded can be truly welcomed instead of merely accommodated

#europemustact​

 

Staff led projects include:

• Age Friendly Design guidance for Greater Manchester Combined Authority

• Community led local planning partnerships with over 1200 Manchester residents

• Award winning software to support digital independence for local communities