We feel increasingly trapped in a post-neoliberal malaise. In institutional politics, economic policy is sidelined in favour of a culture war between the contemporary left and right, leaving the continued economics of deregulation unchecked. Halfhearted attempts at easing economic burdens, such as the USA’s student debt relief plan, are descried as socialism, yet private enterprise is still propped up by public spending.

In this reality, everyday people are engaging more with non-monetary actions as a method of survival. Non-monetary actions exist in many different forms: household and family relations, gift giving, stealing, foraging, barter, poaching, mutual aid, redistribution, time banking, reciprocity, and more.

The atelier’s focus is on community economies in Sheffield, these are economies for mutual benefit that are based around non-monetary actions. Some theorise that community economies herald an era of postcapitalism, creating cracks that infiltrate traditionally monetary dominated economics. However, non-monetary actions have been critical in maintaining contemporary capitalism (see the rise in foodbanks), in fact they have always been a foundation of capitalism, most prominently through domestic labour.

Our aim this year was to provide spatial form to community economies through architectural interventions. We thank all those we have collaborated with, including Heeley City Farm, Portland Works, REACH Homes, Foodworks, and CADs, alongside the numerous experts and specialists who have supported our design studio.