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We are experts in people-centred city-making, architecture, and development

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Understanding communities through observational research and direct engagement

We draw on our body of research and are leading experts in child-friendly design and youth engagement.

We know how to engage with communities, and how to use this engagement to benefit our clients.

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Our substantial body of research and experience in architecture and engagement means that we are the choice of leading organisations that want to create spaces that work for communities.
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Photo by Thomas Graham
ZCD have initiated and designed the youth engagement process for the entire project, led each of the sessions and tours, and distilled the resulting feedback into a form which is powerful, insightful and can directly steer the design. 
Jo McCafferty 
Director at Levitt Bernstein Architects
ZCD have created, facilitated a very intensive and inclusive programme of engagement and ensured everyone has had a voice. Further, the project has had very tangible positive impacts on the lives of members outside of the process itself, it is the most impactful engagement our team has ever undertaken.
Rebekah Paczek 
Director of Public Affairs, Social Impact and Community Relations at ECDC
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Our work in numbers

300+

Hours of observational research 

180+

Engagement sessions

2

Toolkits

25+

Engagement projects

6

Research publications

7400+

Hours of engagement

30

Housing case studies

900+

Young people and adults

16

Articles
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ZCD was originally founded in 2013 by Zoe Smith, Cordula Weisser and Dinah Bornat. The practice is now run by Dinah Bornat. 

 

After 11 years and some truly great projects Cordula left the practice in 2024, in order to pursue other interests. She is now the director of Weisser Architects. She still collaborates with ZCD on various projects.

People

People

Past members

Ashleigh Paige Fielding I Athol Ruston I Cherie Yeo I China Chapman I Daniel Lam I Evelyn Salt I Eve Olson I George Wallis I Gordon Boyd I Helen Cromby I Jack Sloan I Jack Taylor I John Crowley I Laura Mark I Luke Kon I Mei Coong I Molly Judge I Rebecca Woodward I Rosa Appleby Alis I Sanna Rautio I Sophie Fraser Hafter I Will Young I Zivile Volbikaite

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What we can do

At the outset we bring our expertise in analysing masterplan and housing layouts from a child-friendly perspective. We use tried-and-tested ZCD mapping and research tools (as shown in ‘All to Play For’) and apply that to your project, working closely with the design team.

From that we can guide authentic, creative and participatory activities with local communities so that they are part of the co-design process. We use mapping in conversations about the local context so that everyone is speaking a common language and able to get behind decisions about how places can work for them. 

We work with focused groups that represent the local area, and intergenerational panels as at Earls Court. 

And we can embed youth engagement within the design process from start to finish, as established through our Voice Opportunity Power toolkit.

We are committed to helping investors, developers and policy-makers to strengthen impact investment and social value, as our work with Van Leer Foundation to set up the Family Voices Toolkit.

We offer training and facilitation in inclusive engagement to strengthen awareness and enhance your organisation's existing processes.

We continue to research, campaign and influence widely for child-friendly design, as our contribution to the Select Committee Inquiry.

Awards

Awards
The Planner
Women of Influence
Winner
Dinah Bornat
2025
The Pineapples
Community Engagement
Shortlisted
Public Realm Inclusivity Panel
2025
Inspire Future Generations
Community Engagement
Commendation
Public Realm Inclusivity Panel
2024
The Pineapples
Community Engagement
Shortlisted
Public Realm Inclusivity Panel
2024
The Davidson Prize
Somewhere to call a home
Finalist
More not less
2023
Architects' Journal
Retrofit Awards
Highly Commended
The Lord Napier
2023
New London Awards
Mixed Use
Shortlisted
Aberfeldy Masterplan
2022
Inspire Future Generations
Research Award
Winner
Child-Friendly Chingford Mount Feasibility Study
2022
New London Architecture
Public Spaces
Winner
Aberfeldy Masterplan
2022
New London Architecture
Masterplans & Area Strategies
Shortlisted
Aberfeldy Masterplan
2022
New London Architecture
Public Realm
Shortlisted
Aberfeldy Masterplan
2022
The Pineapples
Community Engagement
Winner
Aberfeldy Masterplan
2022
Inspire Future Generations
Best Built Environment Practice
Winner
ZCD Architects
2022
Inspire Future Generations
Online resources and materials
Winner
Voice Opportunity Power Toolkit
2021
Living etc
Best Architect for Complex Sites
Winner
Clapton House
2020
New London Architecture
Don't Move, Improve!
Shortlisted
Victoria Park II
2020
The Developer
Meanwhile Prize
Winner
London's Biggest Play Street
2019
Hackney Design Awards
People's Choice Award
Winner
Clapton House
2018
Hackney Council
Contribution to research
Winner
ZCD Architects
2018
Hackney Design Awards
Design award
Commended
Clapton House
2018
LABC
Building Excellence Awards
Finalist
Penwortham School
2016
Architects' Journal
Baratt - Homes of the future
Runners-up
One House Four Homes
2015
Press

Press

Find us

Find us

First Floor Studio

7 Ezra Street

E2 7RH

London

Contact
+44 020 77292485

Ravenscroft 

Park

ZCD Architects studio

ZCD

Ezra Street

Columbia

Road

Work with us

We currently have no open vacancies.

We are an equal opportunities employer and when vacancies are available, we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Clients

Clients

A New Direction

Brent Council

Catalyst Housing

Clarion Housing

The Earls Court Development Company

Eco World

Enfield Council

Flagship Housing

Grosvenor Estates

Hackney Council

Harrow Council

Hounslow Council

Islington Council

Kensington & Chelsea Council

Kingston Council

Lambeth Council

Leaside Trust

Lendlease  

Lewisham Council

London Legacy

Development Corporation

Mount Pleasant Association

Museum of London

Newham Council

NHBC Foundation

Poplar Harca

Royal Institute British Architects

Royal Town Planning Institute

Swan Housing

This City (Manchester City Council)

Town and Country Planning Association

Van Leer Foundation

Waltham Forest Council

Wrexham Council  

City of York Council

If you would like to get in touch, e-mail info@zcdarchitects.co.uk or call +44 020 77292485

ZCD Architects ltd.  First Floor Studio, 7 Ezra Street, E2 7RH, London

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