top of page

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

ECDC website Image 2.jpg
MDKI0549_W3000.jpg

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.

​​
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.
chingford_engagement_workshop_22_0197_edited.jpg
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
FVT 4.jpg

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
People

People

Fellow Travellers

Rebecca Woodward | China Chapman | Luke Kon | Evelyn Salt | Will Young | Molly Judge | Zivile Volbikaite | Daniel Lam | George Wallis | Mei Coong | Rosa Appleby Alis | Ashleigh Paige Fielding | Gordon Boyd | Sophie Fraser Hafter | Laura Mark | Eve Olson | Jack Taylor

PRIP_SNY02639.jpg

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
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

bottom of page