Architecture for Humanity,

In 1999 the fighting in Kosovo was at a peak and tens of thousands of refugees from the fighting were fleeing to camps. Their prospects looked grim. Cameron Sinclair was then an architect in our office. One day he asked a simple question, “What can architects do to ease this misery?” Then he answered it, “Not much really, but they can design.” So began an architectural call for ideas from around the world on how to build temporary refugee housing. It was also the beginning of Architecture for Humanity.

The resulting competition was extraordinary. A jury was selected that included architects, like Steven Holl, Todd Williams and Billie Tsien, experts on refugees and disaster relief professionals. With a simple web page, the competition sought submissions from around the world. Entry fees from entrants were donated to War Child, the children’s relief organization. Over two hundred arrived in our office.

There are two weeks left to partner with a school in your community and register for the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge. Registrations are due by May 4th and entries must be submitted by June 1st.

10 million children lack safe and secure classrooms to learn. Schools from Aspen, Colorado to Mumbai, India to Kabul, Afghanistan have signed up for this unique initiative. This challenge is open anyone, all you need is a idea and a way to get it to us. A number of student led teams are not only showing their teachers a thing or two about creating the classroom for their future but are designing classrooms for children around the world through our building partners, like Orient Global/Rumi Schools of Excellence (India) and Building Tommorrow (Uganda).

This week our design fellow Sandhya Janardhan talks to the AIA about our 2009 Open Architecture Challenge and how architects can collaborate with teachers and kids to design the classroom of the future.

Those interested in the challenge must register by May 4th and entries are due on June 1st. Beyond the grand prize and runners up prizes we are also awarding more than $20,000 in software in technical awards.

The first round of Gamechangers is now closed. A huge thanks to all of those who submitted a proposal for their new home facility.  We received over 70 strong entries from 24 countries, including proposals for Capoeria in Lublijana, skateboarding in Kabul, rugby in New York City, women's parcour in San Francisco, cricket for the blind in Uganda to ultimate frisbee in the West Bank. Over the next two weeks our team will review all the entries and will be asking a selected number to add additional information for potential funding. IF for some reason your idea is not selected this round it will automatically entered into rounds 2 and 3 (and you'll be able to update it post review period).

The Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom has received an amazing reception from designers, teachers, and students as they focus their creative expertise on designing the classroom of the future. The best part about this challenge is that ANYBODY can get involved. For those who are still contemplating taking part in the competition, take a look at the video for a glimpse into classrooms around the world.