First off we have to say a huge thank you to all our end of year donors. Not only did we hit our end of year match but we raised over $100,000 for building a better environment for communities around the world. We are still receiving some end of year donations but to all of you who gave, thank you.
Earlier this month we commemorated the two year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake by taking a moment to assess last year's rebuilding efforts and to spread
In Japan our teams continue to work incredibly hard with local small business leaders to help them get back to work following the devastating tsunami. The New York Times referred to the town of Minamisanriku as the town that got left behind. To many grassroots groups like our own, this town has not been forgotten - it is rising. Last month we helped reopen a judo studio in town and with support from PACT, PechaKucha Inspire Japan initiative and Live 4 Sendai, a
concert with Imogen Heap and friends, we are rebuilding a rest house and social business for the town fishermen. Spread the word: http://youtu.be/GaTPcvHRrGE and read below for additional project updates in Japan and around the globe, job openings and more.
This month we began new projects in Peru, DR Congo, Mozambique and domestically our local chapters are undertaking dozens of projects to improve inner city communities. The Open Architecture Challenge Unrestricted Access now has 121 registrants and we are excited to announce $5,000 in awards for the winning entries. With 50 countries represented, Iran, India, Venezuela are beating out the United States in terms of number of registrants. The more people who enter, the higher the award. Do you have what it takes?
Finally a big congrats to co-founder Kate Stohr for being named one of 10 Women to Watch. In the last year Kate has overseen our rebuilding efforts in Haiti, coordinated building 20 centers through sub-saharan Africa, served on the Clinton Global Initiative Haiti Action Committee and co-edited Design Like You Give A Damn 2 (out April 2012). We are lucky to have such a powerhouse lead the charge for smart planning and thoughtful development.
Folsom Street, Suite 201, San Francisco, USA
USA Regional Offices: Port au Prince, Haiti | Cape Town, South Africa | Sendai, Japan On Twitter: The Org. @archforhumanity | The Chief Eternal Optimist @casinclair
This Issue: Project Updates | Chapter News | Design Opportunities, Jobs | Comings and Goings + Other News | Upcoming Events + Thanks
PROJECT UPDATES
Japan: Tohoku Rebuilding Program
Haiti: Building A Strong Future
Nike GAMECHANGERS Fund // Nike Better World
Over two days in January, flooding near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil caused landslides which destroyed an estimated 3000 houses, displaced 100,000 Brazilians and caused over 900 deaths. Following the disaster, Nike do Brasil committed $100,000 in support of a small sports center in Petrópolis, a community severely damaged by the rains, with Architecture for Humanity.
Football for Hope
The holidays haven't been quiet for the Football for Hope Program. Within one month, four Design Fellows have relocated from Cape Town to their project sites to work closely with the community to refine the design and tender documents. From designing for the humidity of a Cameroon jungle (which can cause a camera to explode), to the green farmland of Mozambique, to the rough and tumble of Alexandra township, each project is a graceful response to the site.
We started our 17th center, Bulawayo Football for Hope Center in Zimbabwe with our new design fellow Kuda Mutsonziwa. Stay tuned to our Football for Hope Program as there are three more centers to go...
CHAPTER UPDATES
We love our chapters! In 2012, we're committed and excited to shine a much deserved spotlight on our amazing chapter members. These design professionals undertake incredible projects in locations around the world, bringing architectural solutions at the local level. No matter where you are, you too can join a chapter, participate and become involved. This year, we'll be launching campaigns and initiatives to seek your support in recognition of the dedication of our chapters and their members. Whether you wish to impart professional knowledge or sponsor a chapter, there are multitudes of ways you can join us in making a difference. More information coming soon. Hint: our first chapter event will be on Valentines Day.
The New York Chapter is looking forward to a diversity of initatives in the new year. Under the BQE begins to re-envision the space under an urban infrastructure by helping the community conceptualize potential opportunities. In another project, the children of a community will be co-designers and co-builders of a stage that will serve as a center for education and public gathering within an urban garden. We will also be working with yoga teachers to design a portable studio for undeserved populations. Currently we are working on 9+ projects, with 700+ volunteer professionals, maintaining strong relationship with organizations and city agencies, and staying connected to more than 48 active chapters worldwide.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS
Architecture for Humanity HQ, San Francisco, USA Web Developer, Construction Contracts Manager,
Port au Prince, Haiti Development Director, Haiti Team Structural Engineer, Directeur/Planification et conception, Construction Manager, Construction Contracts Manager,
Africa Football for Hope Design Fellow, Football for Hope Design Fellow-Afrique/French speaking
Sendai, Japan Design Fellow: 日本
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and San Francisco, CA (USA) Intern: Nike Gamechangers
COMINGS AND GOINGS + OTHER NEWS
A long list of new faces this month as HQ continues to grow and new volunteers join our ranks. We are psyched to welcome Bridget Dodd on staff as Executive Assistant and Twyla Parks as HR Manager. New volunteers include Administration Volunteer Je'Nen Chastain, Volunteer Program Volunteer Jane Irwin, Design Open Mic Fim Volunteer Jason Ennis, and HQ Haiti Volunteer Miriam Fernandez Ruiz, hailing from Madrid, Spain. We bid tearful farewell to Development Director Molly Stack and Design Fellow Nick Brown - their spirits and legacies will live on!
The Haiti Rebuilding Center welcomes Katharine MacLean, Claudia Juhre, Anne Hake, Laneau Jean-Carmel, Sony Noel, Brett Ferguson, Marvine Pierre, Serge Dorval, Island Themelus, and Francisco Belmar. The team welcomes back Design Fellows Gerry Reilly, Lisa Smyth and Nancy Doran who couldn't stay away and says so-long to Dot Miller, Sven Kalim, Ben Gordon and Matthew Johnston. Big thank you for the many months of hard work.
Around the other side of the globe, howdy to Kuda Mutsonziwa who joins us as the Design Fellow for the Zimbabwe Football for Hope Centre.
Finally, we wanted to recognize Alix Ogilvie and Nathaniel Corum who are facilitating a group in Barcelona at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, focusing design students on the Rio Floods project. This program is overlapping with a collaboration with the Kyoto University of Art and Design connecting students with post-tsunami design challenges.
UPCOMING EVENTS + THANKS
Architecture for Humanity's Weekly Design Open Mic (open house) Who: You | When: Every Wed., 12 -1 pm |Where: 848 Folsom Street, Suite 201, San Francisco
Metals in Construction: Facades Conference When: February 16-17, 2012 | Where: Pratt Manhattan Campus, 144 W 14th St, New York
Thank you this month is due to all our wonderful supporters who helped us reach our end of year fundraising goals. We couldn't do what we do without the unwavering support of thousands of believers in humanitarian design. Also, to our Community Builders - a special thank you! Here's to a successful 2012. Cheers.
