Jude Barber

Architecture Ireland

In September 2018, Jude took part in a talk for the launch of the Irish Architectural Foundation’s Journal ‘Building Material’ in Dublin. During the talk, many people asked questions about Collective Architecture and its organisational structure.  Michael Haynes, editor of Architecture Ireland, subsequently invited Jude to write an article about our structure for the issue of Architecture Ireland (304- RIAI Issue).

Please see the attached link for the full publication 'Crafting and Grafting' ; http://architectureireland.ie/digital-edition-landing-page

In the piece, Jude outlines some of Collective Architecture’s founding principles, its organisational structure and working methods, whilst reflecting on Richards Sennett’s book ‘The Craftsman’. She concludes that ‘We are working together, in a modest way, to hone that craft to create buildings and places that are fit for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century'.

Extract of piece

Architecture Ireland #303

Collective Architecture: Crafting and Grafting

In his book ‘The Craftsman’, sociologist Richard Sennett makes the connection between the labour process and the art of making; particularly between the hand and the head.  He argues that the realm of the craftsman - or craftswoman - is far broader than skilled manual labour; the computer programmer, the doctor, the architect and the citizen need to learn the values of good craftsmanship today.

Currently, many architects are considering how their skill and labour might be better valued and communicated, both in practice and within society at large.  The question of how we organise and consider our own work is central to this debate. Our studio, Collective Architecture, is an employee-owned and controlled business, which means that everyone is an owner of the practice and has a say in its direction. Together, we influence not only the creative development of projects, but the structure, culture and fabric of our studio.