FROMTHEGROUNDUP: Building fairer foundations in architecture

Formed by like‑minded architects and designers Will Harvey, Jake Kelly and Elin Keyser, From The Ground Up is a multi‑disciplinary worker co‑operative architectural practice based at Primary, an arts organisation in Nottingham. 

This talented trio wanted to challenge the norms of their profession and build something more collaborative and values‑driven. Their practice started life as a limited company in February 2024 to get it on its feet quickly – always with the intention of becoming a co‑op. 

“We’d explored everything from CICs to community benefit societies, but a worker co‑op made the most sense because of our size and the way we operate,” said Will. 

“All three of us have experienced the worst sides of construction and architecture in the UK – where profit is the bottom line and a driver for everything. We wanted to create work that builds spaces for communities and more‑than‑human sustainability, where the monetary side is the consolation, not the focus.”

To convert their company into a co‑op, the team turned to the Business Support for Co‑ops programme delivered by Co‑operatives UK in partnership with The Co‑operative Bank. 

They received a wide‑ranging package of support from co‑operative expert Jane Avery from CASE. She guided them through myriad practicalities, such as how often to hold meetings, what to include and how to develop a rhythm of reviewing and improving processes. 

“Jane was wonderful,” said Will. “Having someone to act as a sounding board was crucial. When you’re such a small team, things like formal meetings can feel odd – but getting that rhythm really helps communication and makes us more effective.“

They also benefited from peer-to-peer mentoring through the programme. The team visited Transition by Design – a well‑established architectural co‑op in Oxford. 

“That was super helpful,” Will said. “They talked us through their trials, tribulations, pitfalls and successes. It was lovely to meet them, see how they’re doing things and learn from their journey.“

From The Ground Up formally converted to a co‑operative in early 2025, opting for business banking with The Co‑operative Bank. “So far, we have found The Co‑operative Bank’s online banking to be pretty good – and overall it serves our needs,“ said Will. 

The team has been busy on a diverse range of projects: from domestic extensions to collaborations with arts organisations, galleries and charities such as Nottingham Energy Partnership – a climate‑based charity supporting people in fuel poverty. 

They’ve also taken on a commercial client in Stansted, improving accessibility on a site to create spaces for artisan makers. “It’s going well,” said Will. “We’re working on projects we feel passionate about.” 

For Will, Jake and Elin, operating as a co‑op is as much about internal culture as it is about external impact. 

“In a lot of architectural practices there’s a really clear hierarchy – directors, managers, project runners, assistants – and that affects how people communicate and feel valued,” Will explained.

”We didn’t want to be too hierarchical or exploitative. We want equality between us and the people we work with.”

Going forward, the founders aim to grow the business gradually, adding more people to the team. And their priority is to sustain the values they’ve built in from the start.

“Anyone who comes into the practice should feel like an equal member,” said Will. “We want to show that you can produce architecture of real quality in a fairer, healthier environment where creativity thrives. We’re trying to establish that things can be done differently, more justly and be sustainable in every possible sense – that’s the legacy we’d like to leave behind.

“If there are other co-operatives out there who are in need of architectural services, please do feel free to get in touch.”

Find out more

From The Ground Up – Website | Instagram