Designing Community Spaces: A Toolkit for Architects and Communities

By Stefanie Stead and Mandip Sahota

As more groups take ownership of the buildings, spaces and services that matter to them, architects are being asked to work in new ways. This hands-on guide introduces a community design lens to help both architects and community-led organisations collaborate effectively on projects with long-term public benefit. If you are part of a community-led organisation, this toolkit will also help you get the most out of working with an architect. This must-have book sets out a flexible framework to build shared language, navigate complexity and co-create from the very start. It explores the history and policy of community ownership, governance models, funding, pro bono work and how design can be woven into wider operational and business planning. Emphasising trust, dialogue and genuine collaboration, it is packed with real-world case studies and deals with issues from accessibility and heritage to resilience, identity and safety. With clear guidance, templates and checklists, it shows how architects can support fundraising, long-term stewardship and stakeholder engagement. This is essential reading for architects and community groups working together to create lasting, meaningful places: a practical toolkit for architects and communities reimagining places together.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1915722586
• ISBN13: 9781915722584
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Riba Publishing
• Length: 168 Pages