We’ve completed our latest funding round to support the next stage of CO-architecture: expanding how design businesses find clients, manage projects, build their teams and work together.
CO-architecture has grown into a national network across Australia. In the past six months alone, more than $650 million in projects have been submitted through the platform.
Behind that growth is a simple belief: our industry should be better connected. Connected to clients who value good design, to the talent needed to deliver it, and to other businesses with the expertise to contribute.
As designers ourselves, we understand that running a practice involves much more than designing. Finding the right clients, recruiting people and managing capacity all influence the work a business can take on. CO-architecture brings these connections together in one place.
Today, the platform connects homeowners and other project owners with architecture and design businesses. It also connects businesses with talent, helping studios find the people they need to deliver their work.
The funding will allow us to expand the platform and develop tools that support more of the work involved in running a design business. Alongside improving how project owners find suitable professionals, we’ll focus on tools that help studios manage projects and market their services.
Project management tools will focus on helping studios organise project information and keep communication clear as work progresses. The aim is to make the platform useful beyond the initial enquiry, supporting the ongoing coordination involved in delivering a project.
We’ll also expand our marketing tools to help businesses showcase their work and reach relevant clients. Building on our existing profiles and editorial features, this will give studios more ways to communicate their expertise and promote the projects they want to be known for.
The next stage will also introduce new ways for businesses to connect with other businesses when they need additional expertise, capacity or project support.
A studio might need specialist input, assistance with a stage of a project or support during a busy period. We’re developing ways to help businesses find other practices available to contribute, extending the role CO-architecture already plays in connecting the industry.
Our purpose remains the same: to make design expertise more accessible and create better opportunities for the people behind it. This funding gives us the capacity to take that work further, building on the national network already using CO-architecture.
