We are experts in people-centred city-making, architecture, and development
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.
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
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
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
Press
Find us
First Floor Studio
7 Ezra Street
E2 7RH
London
Contact
+44 020 77292485
Ravenscroft
Park
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
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