This section is based on personal communications that took place between September and October 2017 with Andrew Catcheside, Arnaud Nichols, Al Parra, Vinny Nanray founders of Building BloQs.
Introduction
Building BloQs represents a new approach to space, resource, and community for London: a progressive solution for freelance makers and small manufacturers to counter the rising costs of the city.
Opened in 2012, Building BloQs is a not-for-profit open workshop created so that London’s makers, small businesses and designers can access tools and space for work, but also the extra resources they need to grow their careers.
With a huge range of professional-standard equipment in its north London workshop, anyone who wants to work in wood, metal, textiles, paint, and digital fabrication can do so. Building BloQs operates a flexible pay-as-you-go membership model so its members can scale their use of space and equipment up, down and sideways to fit their needs and budget.
As a result of its equipment spec and fair terms, Building BloQs has quickly become the largest and best equipped workshop of its kind in London. But the facility's magnetism is also down to the emphasis it places on nurturing and promoting its membership: a diverse community of designers and makers that numbers over 350.