The motivation behind a group's action.

Ecological
Here the overriding motivation is to work with the environment, to acknowledge human impact, and to focus on the interdependence of the environment, economics and the social.

Ethical
We take an ethical stance in architecture in the sense of 'being-for the Other', to 'assume responsibility for the Other'-with the Other being a 'mix of builders, users, occupiers, observers of architecture'. Basically, everyone who is affected by the production, construction and inhabitation of architecture. To have an ethical stance as an architect does not therefore mean to adhere to the 'ethics of the profession', but to acknowledge and work with the desires and needs of these 'others'.

Pedagogical
Pedagogic techniques take a more sustainable approach that allows for replication, for example a knowledge of how to negotiate legal systems or of how to understand spatial representations can be reused in other contexts. Moreover, a practice that truly valorises the diverse knowledges and skills of its clients, users or collaborators will not only be imparting knowledge but will also be learning. It is therefore an inherently empowering and bottom-up approach.

Political
Political motivation as a driving force for groups or projects indicate the existence of a strong desire to inform and subsequently change decision making processes of governments, academic or other institutions. Because the resulting projects are situated on more strategic levels (top), these projects have a longer time-scale and are more permanent in nature. Questions of power, about who has the right or the privilege to claim space become paramount.

Professional
Certain groups emerge out of a desire to challenge the normative modes of architectural practice; they may do this through their operational and organisational structure, for example by setting up non-hierarchical systems, co-operative structures or through a specific political position such as feminist, Marxist or activist.