Architecture for Humanity Updates and Events

"The Architect is In" at Dwell on Design

Karl Johnson — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:51:07 -0500

Are you "in?"

At Dwell on Design this year (June 22-23, Los Angeles), we're hosting a free consultation booth where professional architects will be answering any and all design questions.

Your headaches, dreams, questions, and even your blueprints are welcome to a free dose of architectural advice from Dwell on Design and Architecture for Humanity. Sessions are free and available on a first-come basis, booked online, and last 25 minutes each.

Resiliency in Oklahoma

Karl Johnson — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:14:04 -0500

Additional reporting by Katherine Allen

This morning, the second following the massive and devastating tornado that ripped through Moore, authorities are completing their rescue efforts of the wreckage. The death toll stands at 24. It's widely understood the area will be clearing debris for months - FEMA has dedicated itself to immediate needs - and we think about the future of Moore and the surrounding area to recover from this storm, and consider resilient strategies to safely withstand future ones.

How Buildings Fail

"Funnel tornadoes are much more powerful than hurricanes," explains Eric Cesal. "It's easy for a building to fail in these conditions."

SUMMER 2013 INTERNSHIP: New York Regional Office

Yuko Okamura — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:21:55 -0500

Location: Architecture for Humanity New York Regional Office
Start Date: June 2013
Type: Intern
Application Deadline: May 31, 2013

Program Background
Architecture for Humanity's New York Regional office currently works closely with the Reconstruction and Resiliency Studio at HQ to manage the Hurricane Sandy Reconstruction Program.

The office requires a team member with design and construction knowledge, understanding of construction administration, strong graphic design skills, and an interest in grant research and writing. The intern will have the opportunity to work closely with Program managers and learn about disaster resiliency and reconstruction.

Guerrilla Green $10,000 Winner Announced!

Gina Fontes — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:22:39 -0500

On Thursday May 17th, Green Schools Design Fellow, Gina Fontes, walked into a cafeteria full of screaming students and surprised the Guerrilla Green grand prize winner with a 5 foot long, ten thousand dollar check. The lucky winner was Team Thirsty Fountain from the Design and Architecture Senior High School in Miami, Florida, whose fight for water conservation, and against wasting unused fountain water, got them through all three rounds of the Sustainability Showdown. Team Thirsty Fountain hopes to use their $10,000 grant to start an organization where high school students can teach younger generations about the importance of reducing water use, and environmentally proactive living.

Rebuild Moore: Media Assets Page

Kristen Schlott — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:55:01 -0500

Architecture for Humanity is in the process of developing its long-term response to the devastating tornadoes that hit Oklahoma on May 20. Please refer to this page to help spread the word about our efforts by using our official banners, touts, updates and more.

Media Assets Page

Kristen Schlott — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:26:34 -0600

Help us spread the love this Spring.

Find below media resource and messaging free to use for any and all advocates of architecture.

Chapter Grants Result in Resilient Cities

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:05:14 -0500

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Architecture for Humanity announced a partnership to coordinate their components and chapters throughout the Unites States to prepare and be resilient against natural disasters. In September, the AIA/ Architecture for Humanity Disaster Response Plan Grant was awarded to the five Architecture for Humanity chapters in Seattle, Chicago, New York, Baltimore, and Washington D.C..

Six months later, the grant winners have exercised their leadership in disaster resiliency through local projects and workshops. The grant winners have spearheaded efforts to initiate partnerships with local groups and government agencies, recruit teams of architects interested in resilience and build the chapter's capacity and knowledge in disaster response.

Oklahoma tornado update

Karl Johnson — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:38:34 -0500

Yesterday afternoon in the suburbs of Oklahoma City a tornado touched down amid a violent storm front, tearing a 20 mile long path of destruction at points nearing two miles wide. The winds have registered at 210 miles per hour, making for a top-of-scale EF-5 storm.

In the ensuing hours the United States government declared the suburban town of Moore and surrounding area a federal disaster zone. The White House pledged FEMA's support with “all resources they need at their disposal.”

By the end of the following day, Moore Fire Chief Gary Bird was "98 percent sure" the death toll wold rest at 24, as rescue workers finish their survey of the damaged buildings. This includes the death of 9 children.

Rebuild Moore

Kristen Schlott — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:02:26 -0500

Architecture for Humanity is working with local and regional construction professionals to begin assessments and support rebuilding work after an F-4 tornado ripped through the heart of Moore, OK and surrounding communities.

Architecture for Humanity focuses on helping communities beyond the relief phase of disaster. The agency is currently working on rebuilding efforts post Superstorm Sandy and rebuilt in communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. Architecture for Humanity is mobilizing to assist in long term-reconstruction to help rebuild Moore and the surrounding communities. The agency works to incorporate resiliency and disaster mitigation strategies, leaving communities safer and stronger than before.

“After the Haiti earthquake students from Moore West Junior High raised funds for the organization to help rebuild schools for displaced students. Our thoughts are with the entire community of Moore, OK and those affected,” said Cameron Sinclair, Co-founder, Architecture for Humanity.

Making it in the City: insights from the Vancouver Chapter

Karl Johnson — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:29:34 -0500

Linus Lam is the remaining active founder the first Canadian Architecture for Humanity chapter, in Vancouver. In the past four years, the Vancouver Chapter has worked on everything from self-initiated projects, hosting talks and conferences, to collaborations with the City of Vancouver and the Haiti Rebuilding Center. We spoke with him recently on some of the opportunities and challenges of their work.