Arcop's approach to the design and planning process reflects a commitment to the pragmatic exploration of real issues, the encouragement of broad participation in, and understanding of the decision making process and an appreciation of the technical feasibility of implementation. To achieve these objectives, Arcop structures the process to encourage the continuous involvement of the various participants throughout the design or plan evolution and decision making.

This approach allows both the expert and non-expert to come to grips with issues, become more aware of the interests of each other, and to contribute in a positive way to the crystallization of a realistic design or plan of action.

Arcop has successfully used a cyclical process to structure complex design and planning processes. A dynamic interaction is achieved by the cycling of the INFORMATION EVALUATION and DESIGN activities throughout the entire process. The design becomes a planning tool to elicit response from within and beyond the professional team, exposing challenges and opportunities and defining information requirements.

An important principle which Arcop emphasizes, in both architectural and planning projects, is the explicit delineation of the project infrastructure; pedestrian movement spaces, other movement systems and public amenities, which are then designed as high quality spaces. In our experience, the design and planning approach has proved very successful in dealing with complex buildings and planning problems. The result is designs and plans that satisfy client requirements not only at the time of conception, but also long after the execution of the projects.