Platform Practice: a network collective

Platform Practice is a network collective of architects, designers, and building professionals connected through a shared set of values and beliefs to provide freely adaptable socially useful architectural designs.

Platform Practice evolved from a series of conversations (between Abadir Hashi, Francesca Rausa, and Jake Arnfield) on the future of the architectural profession which is increasingly precarious, outsourced, and unethical — from render farms in India, destructive gentrification projects in the city, and a workforce which is overworked and rarely remunerated fairly. Platform Practice is a thought experiment investigating what areas of this future architectural practice can be mobilised to support and facilitate social and progressive ends.

Platform Practice is a platform to openly and freely disseminate “socially useful” architectural and spatial designs. The platform can be used by two different actors: clients and designers, and in two ways:

1. Designers can upload their “socially useful” designs onto an open and freely accessible marketplace. Using the Platform’s built in software, clients can edit and customise the designs using a simple interfaced Artificial Intelligence program. Once edited, Consumers consent to waiving legal liability of the designs and then can download the necessary CAD files, 3D computer models, and a handbook. Every design can be downloaded for free or the client can choose to leave a donation. Each design has a list of necessary tools and materials, the platform then uses an algorithm to generate a map and list of local suppliers such as second-hand material distribution companies. Alternatively, there is a “get it built” button which connects the consumer to a local fabricator who is then sent the information to build it.
2. Clients can pitch social projects on a public crowdsource forum where other consumers can pledge financial contributes to generate a design fee.

Platform Practice generates revenue through advertising which can then be paid to designers who upload content and cover the cost of the administration of the platform through advertising. Suppliers of tools and materials, and fabricators pay a monthly membership fee as well as a commission on each item sold/rented through the platform.

Manifesto

1. Platform Practice creates an environment to allow communities with little or no resources to directly interact with designers and have access to high quality architectural and spatial designs.
2. Platform Practice empowers designers by creating a networked collective where those that upload design content are able to receive a fixed monthly income paid through advertising second hand materials, tool sharing, and fabricators.
3. Platform Practice is an online space for socially useful architectural and spatial designs.
4. Platform Practice uses algorithms and parametric software to allow consumers to individually edit and customise their designs.