Practice Lab

The Practice Lab is re:arc’s space of learning by doing where we extend beyond traditional grantmaking to prototype alternative models for philanthropy in architecture. Working directly with architects and professional practitioners, we support the realisation of site-specific, self-initiated, and community-led projects rooted in their unique social and ecological contexts.

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Focus

Despite the huge ecological footprint of the industry and transformative potential of the discipline, professional architectural practices are disproportionately overlooked and underfunded by traditional philanthropic funding models. The Practice Lab explores alternatives to how architecture is incentivised and funded, working with practitioners to propose and deliver meaningful projects that:

– Respond to local needs rooted in their unique social and ecological context
– Center and serve specific communities who co-develop, own, and maintain them upon realisation
– Build on the practice’s existing body of work and leverage their professional experience
– Provide the potential for blueprinting and replicability in future relevant contexts

The Practice Lab collaborates with a wide range of international research and curatorial partners, and has recently open-sourced its Research Directory (in collaboration with Non-Extractive Architecture). We are currently working with the practices below:

Practice
Location
Year
Root Studio
Oaxaca, MX
2024
Sem Muros
Ubatuba, BR
2024
Ruína
São Paulo, BR
2024
Taller General
La Chimba, EC
2024
ruta4
Pereira, CO
2024
Natura Futura
Babahoyo, EC
2024
Enlace Arquitectura
Caracas, VE
2024
Connatural
El Carmen de Viboral, CO
2024
Taller Capital
San Lucas Xoloc, MX
2023
EVA Studio
Tagoukht, MA
2023
ORU
Oaxaca, MX
2023
PAVA Architects
Khoktoom, TH
2023
Worofila
Sébikotane, SN
2023
Hand Over
Al Azizia, EG
2023
Al Borde
Huaticocha, EC
2023
urbz
Mumbai, IN
2023
Social Design Collaborative
Delhi, IN
2022
Region Austral
Buenos Aires, AR
2022
Material Cultures
London, UK
2022
Territorial Empathy
New York, US
2022
Cave_bureau
Mount Suswa, KE
2022
Island City Lab
Kingston, JM
2022