we harness collective intelligence
Drawing from the fields of anthropology, urban planning and design, we have developed a practice in the realm of Collective Intelligence; working with communities, organisations and complex systems.
Our methodologies have been successfully applied in a variety of contexts. Our highly mobile multilingual team is capable of operating in the field within communities as well as at strategic levels within organizations. We enthusiastically integrate new technologies into our practice and love to experiment with new tools and situations.
Our office, based in Geneva, Switzerland focuses on the application of collective intelligence to knowledge creation, innovation, conflict resolution and problem solving.
we work with
our philosophy
We believe that users are experts of their environments. Harnessing their intelligence through collaboration brings game changing outcomes to any project. Every project is different and our adaptation to each context is driven by three fundamental principles...
identify common objectives
In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we are yet to fully explore the potential of Collective Intelligence (CI). When numerous people work together, compete, and put up their best efforts, shared or collective intelligence is created, and it manifests itself in the form of consensus decision-making.
CI is more of an essential starting point than it is an alternative to AI. While AI can help answer “how” questions, CI addresses the “why” and the “what”. Why should we change our ways? What do we want for our community? What strategy is best for our team?
Despite AI’s accurate responses, even the “how” questions can often best be answered by groups who are tasked with implementing solutions: How should we redesign our workspace? How can we manage our community garden?
We believe that users are experts of their environments. Harnessing their intelligence through collaboration brings game changing outcomes to any project. Every project is different and our adaptation to each context is driven by three fundamental principles...
recognition
So much is already there!
We sometimes need to take a step back and look at what we have before us, only with different lenses. Instead of starting from scratch, we strive to recognize the existing context with their strengths and weaknesses, and we build on them. Identity, culture, norms and spaces are evolutive. Our goal is to align this evolutionary dynamic with a shared vision and a well-grounded strategy.
process based design
Form follows process!
If you know how it’s going to look before you start the process, then you don’t need us. If you are open to see the solution emerge along the way, then we can help. Our tools and methodologies have themselves emerged from years of experimentation in radically different contexts. We propose not only innovative solutions but a bespoke process to get you there.
creative tension
Mess is more!
Consensus is a wonderful thing when it emerges naturally and spontaneously. When enforced, it can often be frustrating and ineffective. Rather than repressing the tension areas we like to acknowledge them.
A starting point in the process is the clear articulation of preferences. Once these are mapped out, those tension areas become a structuring force for the undertaking of a creative project.
shared
visions
A bold and clear vision is the essential foundation for any collective enterprise. The time invested to elaborate a shared vision is invaluable. At any point in the future, be it six months, a year or three years, we should be able to refer back to this shared vision for guidance on the steering of a project.
knowledge
production
When urbz was first launched in 2008, it had one simple agenda - give a voice to end-users, empower them and treat them as experts of their own context. This idea has become commonplace now. In the meantime, we’ve developed an expertise in treating users as a valuable resource. Their knowledge is raw material for well-grounded and meaningful projects.
innovation & ideation
There are not many things that make us happier than a bright idea that emerges out of a well-conducted creative process. A measure of success is when we can’t remember exactly who expressed the idea in the first place, because it is the result of an engaging dialog, which saw it go from inception to formulation.
urban & cultural
programming
To be a good designer, Le Corbusier said, you need talent, but to produce a good program, you need to be a genius. We don’t pretend to be geniuses, however, we know where to find the genius (it’s not at the Apple Store). We call it collective intelligence. We facilitate different perspectives, confront them, bring them together, and structure them into a program. It works for urbanism, it works for culture. Who doesn’t need a good program?
comprehensive urban planning
A bunch of us come from design fields. Others come from social sciences, anthropology, management and economics. One crucial thing we’ve learned working together is that user-centric projects always go beyond “space”. This is why we don’t “master” plans and it is also why we always allow participation to lead design.
community
engagement
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organizational
change
Or should we rather say “organization evolution”? If you are looking to shake up your organization through a big bang approach - it’s not for us. We are strong believers in change through collective endorsement and a step-by-step approach. It might be surprising to see that even people who seem to be the most static in a team actually have an idea or two about how the organization could improve and adapt to changing circumstances. Let’s take everyone on board.
workplace
design
We spend a hell of a lot of time at work. Yes, we all like working from home occasionally as well. But we should feel happy when we are going to the office; looking forward to all the things that working alone can’t provide. Designing workspaces with end-users is rewarding for us, but most importantly it creates happier teams.
conflict
resolution
We love a difference in opinion! We find it much more creative than consensus. It is easy to agree, especially if it’s an outcome of suppressing or hiding actual preferences. Disagreeing is hard because we’ve all been trained to be polite and avoid hurting other people’s feelings. However, there is a way to say no and stand our ground that’s constructive and creative. This is what we are going for.
how we apply it
case studies
let's talk
How can we help? Would you like to schedule a free 30 minute chat?
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
IFRC Parc
We are helping the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) to transform 13’000m2 of land around its HQ in Geneva into a park celebrating the values of the Red Cross Movement and its history.
Staff, neighbors, partner organizations and public authorities were invited to participate in a design process that has resulted in the elaboration of a park that acts as a safe space for staff, a resource for community activities and a haven for biodiversity.
