Studio Polpo is a social enterprise architecture practice based in Sheffield, UK. For us, doing architecture in common means: Initiating; Making; Researching; Sharing; Supporting; Collaborating; Playing; Imagining, and Experimenting.

In the UK the commons traditionally referred to uncultivated land surrounding villages or towns which was accessed by local communities and used to undertake life-sustaining activities such as grazing animals, collecting wood, and picking food. More recently, ideas about the commons have been used to consider how urban resources, including housing, workspaces, and cultural projects can be developed, managed, and shared in more just and ecological ways. In this context, and consistent with ‘right to the city’ arguments, the commons refers to the access and management of material spaces as well as more elusive, psychological spaces such as the space of imagination or play.

Most of our work is undertaken in collaboration with others. Engaging with people from different disciplines and backgrounds makes our work more interesting and ensures that the boundaries of our organization are continually overspilled.