Please see below for a listing of current opportunities to volunteer, provide pro bono design services, including current design fellowships.
Volunteer: Architecture for Humanity HQ
We are always in need of volunteers and support in our main office in San Francisco. Please contact us if you are interested. We need help from those inside the profession and those in many other fields. Students and interns welcome. Please include a little about your background, availability and interests.
Design professionals, if you are interested in getting involved by giving pro bono design services to a community group or client in need in your area, sign-up to offer design services.
Design Fellow: Uganda
Location: Nakaseeta, Uganda
Start Date: March 2010
Type: Design Fellow
Program background and partner:
Architecture for Humanity and Building Tomorrow are seeking a field architect to facilitate the design and construction of a school in Uganda working with the client and the community. The Nakaseeta Academy, the rural classroom addition winner of the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom - will be based in the rural village of Nakaseeta, Southeastern Uganda, about 1 ½ hours drive from Kampala. The design and construction is funded by Building Tomorrow, an international non-profit organization whose mission is to empower young people to raise funds and awareness to benefit vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa.
The design fellow will work closely with designers of Gifford, LLP, based in London, UK. Note: construction documents for the design are nearly complete. The design fellow will help to finesse details, reconcile contractor pricing with the budget and realize the construction of the school. The designer will live near the site (likely a 15 minute drive away) and primarily work on site. Building Tomorrow has a headquarter office in Kampala, where the designer may occasionally work remotely. This is a wonderful opportunity for an emerging designer to gain real-world field experience working one-on-one with a community partner on a project with international exposure. The designer will have hands-on experience in every aspect of the project from design development to construction. Be prepared to get dirty.
Responsibilities
- The ideal candidate will have five years design and construction management experience
- Hands-on construction skills and knowledge, including plumbing, electrical and carpentry experience is required
- Experience with IBBS earth blocks, earth building, bricks and/or other sustainable building techniques is preferred
- Identify and work with local architects, engineers, consultants and programmatic staff
- Creative management skills and people skills (motivating groups to meet deadlines) are required
- Social consciousness and respect for different cultures and traditions is essential
Experience and skills:
- Candidates who live and have worked in the Africa amongst local communities will be given preference. Understanding of Luganda is a plus. (English is widely used in the business sector, but in local communities Luganda is the spoken language.)
- Licensure is preferred, but not required
- Working knowledge of Sketchup
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work for a period of 6 months in Nakaseeta, Uganda (accommodation may be in a nearby village.) Travel within Africa is expected.
Compensation
The design fellow will be provided a modest design stipend and expense budget. Travel to and from Uganda are covered separately.
Interested?Please send your C.V., including references, and digital work samples (please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Satu Jackson to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Design Fellow: Detroit
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Start Date: February 2010
Type: Design Fellow
Program background and partner:
Architecture for Humanity is seeking a registered architect for a position in Detroit to work on the design and construction of an all-season greenhouse with the Majora Carter Group. The Design fellow will consult with the client regarding best practices for a high-yield greenhouse design based on environmental, cultural, and distribution considerations. This is a pilot project that will help develop a larger program of economic development and job creation in urban areas.
Responsibilities
- Engage the community, funding partner and clients at all stages of the design process
- Assist with Site Selection
- Produce on schematic designs and design development drawings
- Identify and work with local architects, engineers, consultants and programmatic staff
- Help produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities
- Provide some construction administration/oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors
- Make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Experience and skills:
- Local knowledge and familiarity with Detroit area.
- Experience with designing high yield greenhouses (ideally, hydroponic).
- Availability for 8-12 month period.
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work on site for 8-12 months and see project through from concept to execution.
Interested? Please send your C.V., including cover letter, relevant work samples (please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Kelsey Ochs to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Design Fellow: Indonesia
Location: Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia
Start Date:Spring 2010
Type:Design Fellow
Program Background:
Architecture for Humanity and the Happy Hearts Fund whose mission is to improve children's lives through educational and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas are seeking a design fellow for a position in Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia. The design fellow will work on the design and construction of a series of small schools. This is a fabulous opportunity for an emerging architect to gain real-world experience. You will be working one-on-one with community partners and international architects on projects with international exposure.
Responsibilities
- Engage the community, funding partners and clients at all stages of the design process
- Work on schematic and design development drawings
- Help produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities
- Provide some construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors
- Make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required
Experience and skills:
- Fluency in Indonesian
- Experience with sustainable building practices
- Experience with school design
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work on site for one year. Travel within the region is expected.
Interested? Please send your C.V., cover letter and portfolio (including work samples--please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Michael Jones to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Design Fellow: Peru
Location: Peru
Start Date:Spring 2010
Type:Design Fellow
Program Background:
Architecture for Humanity and the Happy Hearts Fund whose mission is to improve children's lives through educational and sustainable programs in natural disaster areas are seeking a design fellow for a position in Chincha, Pisco, and Ica regions of Peru with potential site visits in neighboring South American countries and Mexico. The design fellow will work on the design and construction of a series of small schools. This is a fabulous opportunity for an emerging architect to gain real-world experience. You will be working one-on-one with community partners and international architects on projects with international exposure.
Responsibilities
- Engage the community, funding partners and clients at all stages of the design process
- Work on schematic and design development drawings
- Help produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities
- Provide some construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors
- Make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Experience and skills:
- Fluency in Spanish
- Experience with sustainable building practices
- Experience with school design
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work on site for one year. Travel within Central America is expected.
Interested? Please send your C.V., cover letter and portfolio (including work samples--please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Michael Jones to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Research Fellow: California
Location: San Francisco, California
Start Date:February 2010
Type:Research Fellow
Program Background:
Architecture for Humanity is looking for a full-time in house Research Fellow to identify and compile case studies on migrant worker housing and on portable/relocatable architecture. Beyond research you must be able to assemble information in a clear and concise way and compile it on an online database. A publication and exhibition of this work is expected.
Responsibilities
- Identify and distill relevant research on migrant worker housing
- Organize research information in a clear and concise manner
- Communicate effectively with client and partner organizations throughout the duration of project
- Manage volunteer involvement in research tasks
- Make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Experience and skills:
- Strong research background in an academic setting
- Academic focus in migrant worker housing and or semi-permanent, relocatable architecture
- Detail oriented, organized, and patient
- A sense of humor
Commitment:
Fellowship is one year and starts in February of 2010.
Interested? Please send your C.V., cover letter and samples of research documents you’ve completed (please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Michael Jones to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Design Fellow: Haiti
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Start Date:Spring 2010
Type:Design Fellow
Program Background:
Architecture for Humanity is seeking a design fellow to staff a community design studio we will be establishing in conjunction with our rebuilding efforts in Port Au Prince or Jacmel, Haiti. The Design Fellow will assist the Regional Program Manager with facilitating the design process with multiple community partners and assist with the distribution and dissemination of earthquake resistant building resource manuals and methods. Knowledge of vernacular building methods in Haiti, fluency in Creole and at least 2 years of experience are required for this position. Post disaster reconstruction experience is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Engage the community, funding partners and clients at all stages of the design process
- Work on schematic and design development drawings
- Help produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities
- Provide some construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors
- Make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Experience and skills:
- Fluency in Creole and English; French a plus.
- Experience with designing sports facilities and/or some construction experience a plus
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work on site for 12 months. Travel within Haiti is expected.
Interested? Please send your C.V., including work samples (please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Michael Jones to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
Design Fellow: Brazil
Location: Rio, Brazil
Start Date:Spring 2010
Type:Design Fellow
Program Background:
Architecture for Humanity is seeking a design fellow for a position in Brazil. The design fellow will work on the design and construction of a leadership and social enterprise center and community sports facility. This is a great opportunity for an emerging designer to gain real-world experience working one-on-one with community partners and international architects on projects with international exposure.
Responsibilities:
- Engage the community, funding partners and clients at all stages of the design process
- Work on schematic and design development drawings
- Help produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities
- Provide some construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors
- Make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Experience and skills:
- Fluency in Portuguese.
- Experience with designing sports facilities and/or some construction experience a plus
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work on site for 9/12 months. Travel within Brazil is expected.
Interested? Please send your C.V., including work samples (please limit total file size to 4MB), to the attention of Michael Jones to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org. Please be sure to reference the opportunity you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
