What if: projects Ltd is an architecture practice based in Hackney and was founded by Ulrike Steven and Gareth Morris in 2005. Our work is focused in inner city areas and we develop ideas and strategies for more sustainable urban environments. We investigate neglected, forgotten and unloved spaces and develop opportunities these places can offer to communities, the city and beyond. Proposals for change are based on a detailed understanding of an environment and the people that inhabit it. Essential to the development and delivery of our projects is the engagement with local communities.

What if: projects have extensive experience in initiating, developing and delivering projects from small low budget projects to larger scale strategic work. Over the past few years we have realised various site-specific works that engage with local neighbourhoods on a practical level and initiate environmental improvements that are responsive to the location, are usable and playful. Our proposals and actions for reoccupying urban spaces with new uses have been been published and exhibited internationally and we have received considerable media attention for particularly the VACANT LOT allotment project.

From 2005 to 2011 Gareth and Ulrike taught a degree unit at the University of East London running a programme that mirrored What if: projects preoccupations with neglected, vacant space in the city and the possibilities these areas can offer.