Working collaboratively: a conversation about contemporary praxis

Abstract

Working collaboratively is arguably an essential skill in architectural practice as the complexity of contemporary projects involves multiple agents in the conception, construction and use of architecture. This has been emphasised in recent government rhetoric. This paper presents a structured conversation on changing understandings of collaboration, and the realities of collaborative methodology in architectural work. An experimental collaborative methodology was used; writing by conversation, recording what is said and transcribing it - and then structuring but not over-editing the resultant dialogue. A vocabulary of key terms is developed. The conversation extends to reflect on the role of the architecture profession in supporting or enabling collaboration in architectural works.