Software Donation Assists Community-focused Design and Construction Projects Around the World
Architecture for Humanity announced today that Autodesk has donated software valued at nearly $750,000 to assist with the organization’s rebuilding efforts in more than two dozen communities around the world. The software will help those that fell victim to natural disasters including the Japan earthquake and tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, floods in South America, and other calamities.
“Rebuilding infrastructure efficiently and effectively following a natural disaster like the Japan earthquake and tsunami requires state of the art design tools,” said Chris Bradshaw, Autodesk senior vice president of reputation, consumer and education. “As a long-time supporter of Architecture for Humanity, we are pleased that Autodesk’s design software is able to assist them in this effort.”
The donation from Autodesk marks a milestone in the company’s ongoing four-year relationship with Architecture for Humanity. The software will be distributed amongst Architecture for Humanity’s current and future programs, including: professional design and construction training in Haiti; Latin America & Eastern Europe community infrastructure program; Nike Gamechangers programs in Brazil and India; Chapters support; and the recently-launched Economic Development office in Tohoku, Japan.
"This major donation from Autodesk reinforces its long standing relationship with Architecture for Humanity in support of our humanitarian design work. The software will provide us with much needed tools to accelerate our ability in assisting communities in need across the world," says Cameron Sinclair, co-founder, Architecture for Humanity.
Architecture for Humanity estimates that more than 50 communities in 20 countries will benefit from projects aided and accelerated by Autodesk software, improving the lives of 100,000+ individuals globally. Over 100 design fellows and volunteers (pro-bono designers) will employ the software to develop their designs.
The donated licenses of AutoCAD, Revit Architecture Suite and SketchBook Pro have already been distributed and are in-use on projects in sites around the world. The donation also includes licenses of Autodesk’s drawing software SketchBook Pro, through which Architecture for Humanity hopes to increase digital interaction and collaboration at their projects' design development stage.
