Part 3 of the Regenerative Architecture Index is concerned with providing social connection, economic opportunity and wellbeing for all. Our design processes should foster a shared sense of stewardship where neighbourhoods can self-organise and build their resilience. This requires ethical, inclusive and participative approaches.

Responses were assessed by Architects Declare steering group members Mandy Franz, Michael Pawlyn, Tom Greenall, Alasdair Ben Dixon and Mark Goldthorpe with expert input from Regenerative Architecture Index ambassador Immy Kaur – social and civil activist, businesswoman and co-founder and director of CIVIC SQUARE.

PRACTICE

The most enlightened employers are taking a proactive approach to the health and wellbeing of their teams while simultaneously using their practice and projects as a platform to promote inclusivity and tackle inequalities. Most of our respondents promote a work-life balance by implementing a range of measures including eliminating overtime, promoting flexible hours and remote working, offering a nine- day fortnight or holding open meetings to allocate work among the team. Many operate close to or better than a 3:1 pay ratio across the team, with positive approaches including audits, an internal pay review body and commitment to the Living Wage.

Leading examples demonstrate the benefits of a structured approach to Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) that embraces the practice’s projects as well as its management and monitoring. Specific initiatives include training in unconscious bias, neurodiversity or allyship, the use of champions to build agency, paying attention to interview panels and offering routes to professional qualification for the economically marginalised.

A common theme is that of uplifting and training young people from underrepresented communities. While this is to be applauded, RAI ambassador Immy Kaur warns of the dangers of a tick-box approach. “Nobody is talking about why inclusion is important, or how it’s changing the culture of their business. Nobody talks about what their EDI approach looks like at a leadership level. It’s easy to cite percentages. A more meaningful response would be that you are focussed on supporting black architectural leadership.”

Practices of all sizes are engaging with charitable foundations, educational outreach and formal and informal support for pro bono work, fundraising and volunteering. Again, Kaur is keen to differentiate between tokenism and deep engagement. “Supporting good causes needs to be about more than writing
a cheque. The best responses are those when a practice can demonstrate a long-term involvement in supporting a community or cause.”

Generally, practices are less forthcoming on their policy as regards refusing to work with clients, indicating that they are perhaps willing to accept lower standards in their clients than they demand of themselves.

PROJECTS

Regenerative design must be rooted in deep engagement with local communities and stakeholders. With this in mind, we were looking for innovative and inclusive approaches that showcase the benefits of co-design and co-production in the formation of briefs and the development of designs.

The most inspiring responses revealed how practices both small and large are finding ways to use their projects as a platform to empower local communities, promote equity in society, build economic resilience, offer opportunities for training, employment and collaboration and engage with local supply chains.

Some respondents have developed protocols and knowledge bases that allow due diligence on suppliers, partners and collaborators giving insight on issues ranging from environmental credentials, EDI policies and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act.

Generally, the responses are impressive rather than radical or disruptive. As Kaur is quick to point out “nobody in the built environment needs another list of what good looks like. We’ve got to be clear about what we mean by regenerative. And we’ve got to hold on to that.”

The answers
Read the responses from practices we’ve highlighted as ‘Front-runners’, ‘Runners up’ and ‘Ones to watch’ here.