Spotlight: The DisOrdinary Architecture Project

What would architecture look like if it was truly inclusive of disability? If you ask us, too often the conversation about designing for disability is about finding minor tweaks, or trying to ‘fix’ people who never asked for it. Making things and places accessible shouldn’t be an afterthought – and it should absolutely involve meaningful participation with the people it is relevant to.

Founded in 2007 by two impressive figures, Jos Boys of the legendary Matrix feminist design collective and contemporary disabled artist Zoe Partington, DisOrdinary Architecture work with a committed network of 25+ disabled artists, designers and architects based across the UK to deliver talks, experiential workshops, CPD training, development programmes, public interventions, publishing and design provocations.

Their celebration of difference has taken them across numerous universities, like The Bartlett UCL, and countless architectural studios, and they’ve delivered talks at V&A Museum, Royal Academy and Tate Modern, exhibited in galleries and festivals. Other recent projects include Seats at the Table, a collaboration with Re-Fabricate at London Festival of Architecture.

But what does this look like in practice? As an example of how to pair radical thinking with practical solutions, you might be interested to learn about their recent project Many More Parts Than M!, a prototype compendium of creative ways to ‘do’ disability beyond compliance.

Their work also includes penning articles for magazines, planning talks and events for the public, conducting research for institutions, and all manner of support, thinking and advocacy to advance the conversation around disability. If you’re looking for an editorial or research partner with a unique perspective on disability, or want to better understand how your organisation can be truly inclusive, then we’d highly recommend reaching out to them.

As long-time admirers of Jos Boys’ critical writing around disability and design, we had the fortune of coming into contact through The Supporting Act Foundation, which awarded funding to DisOrdinary Architecture. One thing led to another, and we’re proud to have them as a client as we work together to champion their dismantling of the status quo.