The Collective Strategy

 

What

We offer services in all fields of architectural design from small detailing to urban planning. We seek to operate in all areas of the architectural market, but take interest in sustainable and forward thinking design. We strive to continually involve our company in new research methods and in learning new solutions, to new problems, drawing on all our experience to ensure a high quality output. We work as a team with varied expertise in the built environment to produce work efficiently and effectively to impress and satisfy our customer’s needs. Furthermore, we aim to create a brand and organization that appears unique and personal but accessible to all.

 

Who

We are a vast multi-disciplined work force containing a diverse range of specialists including; Architects, Technologists, Surveyors, Urban Designers, Engineers and many others. The Design Collective is split into two main bodies; ‘the family’ and ‘the collective’. The family consists of our directors; Anna Jenny, Scott, Charles, Daniel and Miles. The Collective refers to our extensive network of trusted consultants.The distinct diversity we have collectively allows us to tackle client’s problems in a cohesive and collaborative manner. The company framework is explained diagrammatically in the following link.

 

Company Framework 

 

We refer to our consultants as internal consultants rather than external consultants as we have a very unique relationship with them.. We have strived to create a base of reliable consultants who we have built very strong relationships with over a length of time. These consultants span may disciplines and help to provide The Design Collective with its distinct diversity in skills. We utilise the same consultants for each job of similar type to help build these relationships and create a reliable work force. When specific consultants are needed they are invited to work in our studio space collectively. These consultants work on project by project basis, often alongside an individual consultancy career so are not bound specifically to TDC. This enables TDC to create ideal combinations of team members for each project, allowing for the selection of very specific skills if necessary.

 

Our employment strategy ensures a prospective team member’s frame of mind complies with our strategy from the outset.

 

We aim to build healthy relationships with our competitors as we see them as allies with which we should concentrate on building a healthy rapport with rather than a competitive relationship.

 

How

The Design Collective is formed of a variety of members who each specialize in a unique part of the design process, meaning that potential clients can be reassured that capable individuals will cover every aspect of their project. Our company website and social media sites are places where potential clients can easily understand who we are and what our design approach is. The Design Collective Gallery is a public and informal space in which our company can express our design ethos, styles and interests, providing the public with an insight into our practice. We further promote our company by regularly attending housing events; seminars and exhibitions which provide us with the opportunity to express our design ethos to raise public awareness and attract potential clients. TDC strive to design functional innovative schemes when appropriate RIBA-approved competition opportunities arise, enabling use to showcase our skills and expertise. We believe that establishing ourselves within the public realm is extremely important for the progression of our company.

 

Where

We are a new, young practice, located in Nottingham’s lace market. We occupy a large open plan premises that creates a unique, interactive and friendly atmosphere, it also caters for group sessions and provides enough space to invite our consultants to come and work alongside us. We believe that this is very important, as we are able to work together efficiently and collaboratively as a collective. As a company we emphasize face to face meetings with clients, this ensures that if and when problems arise they are efficiently addressed by the specific team member involved to resolve these possible issues. We pride ourselves on being a flexible organization that has built a network of strong relationships nationally, allowing our location to be flexible and determined by the need of a client. Whilst having a base within Nottingham, TDC’s flexibility allows us to locate elsewhere if need be. Due to Nottingham’s central location within the UK this flexibility becomes more possible as connections to other key areas including London, Bristol and Manchester are very accessible.

 

Environmental

We ensure that our staff members are educated and aware of efficiency and sustainability within the company. We encourage digital distribution of information were possible when collating our work to avoid excessive and unnecessary printing. As a company we have embraced certain sustainable government incentive schemes, such as cycle to work. We also encourage environmentally friendly routines into our working environment such as recycling with rewards and energy conservation.

 

Measuring Success

We have established quarterly evaluations of finance to ensure steady profits and company progression. We strive to continuously create strong client relationships inviting them to gallery opening nights and exhibitions. We believe that establishing a friendly working environment with high employer satisfaction is key to our success. Meeting and then surpassing client’s needs is important to TDC and helps us to build a positive company reputation. We will record our company progress through establishing goals and aims to keep up to date, but also to ensure that we learn from possible challenges we have overcome. CPD meetings involving all members of the design team will be regularly arranged to assess our progress and ensure we keep up to date with new legislation. Face to face meetings with clients will ensure that we keep on track with design projects, enabling us to assess problems and challenges efficiently. The IT manager will ensure that communication methods are regularly updated if needed and it is the duty of the administration manager to ensure that legislation is being correctly followed on all design projects.