An emerging collaborative of small architecture offices in BC has its sights set on shaping a new design culture in the province. The Field Collective, a group of independently-operating small practices, is excited to open the doors of Vancouver’s 529 Carrall Street on November 22 at 5:30pm as part of SMALL PRACTICE MARKETPLACE. The market hall-style, social event will bring together architects, designers and members of the public to meet the folks behind BC’s small architecture practices and share a drink or a dance while forging new paths for design and construction in the region.
Launched in October 2023, the collective was born from several leading small firms in Vancouver who aim to harness the value and opportunities inherent to small practices by sharing knowledge and resources. Situated within a landscape of larger, more corporate firms, The Field Collective seeks to empower its members to support more affordable, high-quality housing options, create more inclusive and climate-resilient cities, and cultivate a more forward-thinking culture of design.
In the spirit of subverting dominant power structures in architectural practice, The Field Collective’s official launch event, REVERSE CRIT, saw roles reversed as local practices presented in-progress work to a student jury at UBC’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture last month. The collective is extending a call to welcome practices of under 10 employees in the province as new members. Practices and individuals are warmly invited to apply for membership in the collective or subscribe to its mailing list at www.thefieldcollective.ca.
