PAR-LAB
We embed Participatory Action Research (PAR) within live projects for the purposes of both project delivery and our overarching research themes. This means convening communities, clients and professional teams to co-create research agendas, exploratory processes and actionable strategies that respond directly to on the ground experience and input.
At the project level, in architecture, we believe these processes embed shared narratives of collective endeavour into built outcomes, whilst ensuring their functions are designed as a direct response to the needs and priorities of the clients and communities we work with.
On a broader level, what we learn at the project level, is transferred and translated into overarching theories of change that aim at the wider ecosystems projects are nested in.
Through PAR-LAB we regularly work outside of architecture, employing our research methods in consultancy roles for businesses and organisations that are aligned with our values.
→ Assembly Space: Towards a Bioregional Construction Industry
Cornwall, Devon, South-West UK
Resources for Construction, Mapping Workshops with: Falmouth University staff and student groups, student groups at Plymouth and Exeter Universities, general public and built environment professionals.
Focus Group Workshops: Stakeholders in local timber value chain, stakeholders in local stone value chain
Research Intensives: Exeter University; MsC Sustainable Business Management - Research in Practice Module, Exeter University; Industry Partner for MRES Studentship at Centre for Ecology and Conservation
Industry Engagement:
Partners & Professional Team:
→ Loveland Community Farm / Falmouth Food Coop
Penryn, Cornwall
Community consultations: Penryn Town Fair, community picnic, community feasts, brief building for a multi-purpose community building
Art & Ecology: ‘Exploring the Underworld’
Co-design events: Site planning and community-led land management, architectural design workshop for new community building
Material salvage for new community building with ReCollective
Business/coop development workshop: integrating a new community building with Falmouth Food Coop’s business strategy
→ Sustainable Food Cornwall
Cornwall
Community and Business Consultations: Defining Cornwall’s ‘Sustainable Food Charter’
Co-design events: Partnership strategy with Simon Platten / Good Food Loop, Food charter workshops on; health, economy, ecology,
Conference / Summit: First ‘sustainable food’ summit - coordinating panels, workshops, presentations
→ Goonown Growers Community Building
St Agnes, Cornwall
Community consultations: brief building for a multi-purpose eco-barn, community feasts and farm tours
Co-design events: architectural design for a new eco-barn
Eco-barn Crowdfunder: media and launch events
Integrated Eduction: Construction skills training for Goonown staff and volunteers, and women and girls new to construction
→ Recollective: Material Agency - Network Building & Coordination in Cornwall
Cornwall
The Food Barn Tregew
Flushing, Cornwall
