Architecture for Humanity UK

Cyclone Nargis, the second deadliest cyclone on record, slammed into the southern tip of Myanmar at the start of May, leaving many without shelter and over 77,000 deaths. In the days that followed we made an appeal to you to support a rebuilding project – to date we’ve raised almost $35,000 and kudos to MortarNet for making good on their promise to match any donation in the 24 hours after we launched our appeal. We’ve spoken with a number of in country and ex-patriot designers about our strategy for long term rebuilding and have representatives on the ground in rangoon.

Given our available funding we’ve decided to assemble a design team that can focus on the rebuilding of one community that has been devastated by this horrific disaster. Given the travel costs associated with getting into Myanmar we are giving preference to regionally based designers.

Position Five: Design/Build Professional
Location:Myanmar
Commitment: 9-12 months starting late summer 2008
Type: Stipend Position
Apply

Join hundreds of others ajd support our sustainable reconstruction effort, make a donation today by visiting: http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/donate

10 days later we received emails from all over asia in regards to responding to the deadly Sichuan earthquake. Between this and Cyclone Nargis over 7 million people are homeless. Additionally the media keeps reporting the number of deaths by the earthquake, this is confusing to say the least.

In the two aftershocks alone 420,000 buildings collapsed. Worst of all many schools just pancaked exactly the same way they did in Kashmir only a few years ago. As an industry we have a moral obligation to build back better, to ensure earthquake resistant structures. We are in conversation with a group that is building in China and South Korea and are interested in supporting the rebuilding of community structures that are safe and secure. If you are an in country architect and/or engineer in either China or South Korea please email us at: volunteers@architectureforhumanity.org.

Position Six: Design/Build Professionals
Location:China
Commitment: tbc
Type: tbc

Opportunities and news from the states:

“there is nothing worse than being all mouth and no trousers” – mama Sinclair, circa 1983.

In other words you can talk about making change or you can actually do it.

This month the American Institute of Architects annual convention was themed We The People – on “the architect’s role in society and the power of architecture on behalf of all people.” Now all the talk is over, isn’t it time to walk the walk?

This month is all about partnerships, from UNICEF to Google to AMD to working in Myanmar/Burma. These new partnerships are allowing us to expand and take on a number of design fellows. We are also offering nine paid positions and a couple of volunteer opportunities all around the world. So whether you are an architect, web guru, engineer, writer or work in finance – stop complaining about why the world is falling apart, take a sabbatical (or quit your job!) and join us in making a difference.

Can’t take advantage of any of these gigs? spread the word, post ‘em on facebook or put them on your blog. Or be a local champion by helping start, run or support one of the local chapters.Finally with more than seven million people homeless in Myanmar and China, please think about making a donation to help us build back better.

Architecture for Humanity and…UNICEF

If there ever was a potential for a partnership that will change the lives of tens of millions of children this is it – Architecture for Humanity working in partnership with UNICEF. This union has the potential to innovate schools and classrooms for children all over the world. Scaling architectural innovation to a profound level.

All we need is you.

Right now UNICEF and Architecture for Humanity is seeking design and engineering professional to help develop and build a number of educational facilities in West Africa. Our focus at the moment is in Liberia and Ivory Coast, but in the coming months we will look for candidates for Sierra Leone and Guinea. These are paid in country positions and you will be working as a two person team as UNICEF consultants. Working in partnership with local communities and the ministry of education, your task will be to design and facilitate the building of two schools will include alternative energy sources, water reclamation, connectivity, basic services, and play spaces.

These are ideal position for mid-career architects and engineers who want to take a year off from the day to day mundane reflected ceiling plans and to remind themselves what it means to design in the world.

Position One:

Project Architect

Location:on site in Ganta, Liberia

Commitment: One Year starting June 2008

Type: Paid/Stipend Position

Position Two:

Structural Engineer

Location:on site in Ganta, Liberia

Commitment: One Year starting June 2008

Type: Paid/Stipend Position

Position Three: Project Architect

Location:Rural Ivory Coast

Commitment: One Year starting fall 2008

Type: Paid/Stipend Position

Position Four: Structural Engineer

Location:Rural Ivory Coast

Commitment: One Year starting fall 2008

Type: Paid/Stipend Position

Don’t regret missing this opportunity of a lifetime. Email a resume, digital work samples (PDF) and any links to projects on the Open Architecture Network to Joyce Engebretsen atjobs@architectureforhumanity.org

The London Festival of Architecture 2008, is a celebration and exploration of the city’s buildings, streets and spaces – with over 600 exhibitions, lectures, public space installations, guided walks, bicycle rides, boat tours, parties, design workshops and debates.

The buzz of activity over the month of the Festival will move across five key ‘Hubs‘, with large-scale public events taking place in a different Hub each weekend.

With the Olympics on the horizon, the Festival celebrates London as a creative hub, a focus for international debate and as a city transformed 

We will be having a meetup as part of the LFA Clerkenwell & City hub:

http://www.lfa2008.org/event.php?id=564&name=Architecture+for+Humanity+Meet+up

The Architecture for Humanity Meet up:

15 July, 7pm – 11pm
Clerkenwell Green
Clerkenwell
London, EC1V

This is a great event in the UK’s architectural/design calender and a great oppurtunity to bring the issues which concern us all to the forfront of the design debate so we hope to see you all there. 

Volunteer: Some of you may be interested in helping the LFA run the month long event by volunteering for particular areas or happenings, please contact them directly at the links provided on the page below:

http://www.lfa2008.org/index.php

Myanmar Reconstruction Update

$10,000 in 24 hours, Help us reach the Mortar Net $2,500 Challenge Match In the past 24 hours since we began an appeal for Myanmar (Burma) we’ve raised just over $10,000 from hundreds of individuals right here from this list.

As a testament to small change making a difference, it was a $5 donation that put us over our initial target. Making an online donation allows us to make quick decisions on the scope of the impact we can make. I know around a dozen of you emailed to say your link was not working but you can now email directly from our site. Thank you to all those who have contributed, both big and small, and those that will over the next few days.

As Myanmar (Burma) has begun to loosen its doors to allow relief agencies US officials are reporting that the death toll may exceed 100,000 and that 1 million are displaced. To get a real clear picture of what we face, check out the images below. In the next few days we will contact all those who offered their services to discuss our approach.

Thank you, Cameron and the Architecture for Humanity team. How your contribution can make a difference:

$15,000 supports a design team for six months to a year.

$50,000 builds a transitional school (Just about the most important thing you can do as it allows parents to rebuild and begin working again. In Sri Lanka we built 6 of these for 1200 children.)

$150,000 builds a community complex for an entire community. (health clinic, daycare center, jobs training center, library, government offices and organic gardens.)

Architecture for Humanity supports long-term community-led reconstruction. Less than 8% of our funds go towards administration making us one of the most efficient charitable organizations in the United States.

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Mortar Net Challenge Our friends over at Mortar Net, who were so supportive after Hurricane Katrina, is offering a $2,500 match for any donations over the next 24 hours. The Indiana based company is the first company in the construction industry to rise to the occasion and I hope you help us in reaching the target. If any other company would like to also get involved please email us. Perhaps even raise funds during the upcoming AIA National Convention in Boston, whose theme is ‘We The People; or the UIA convention in Torino.

So instead of having a table of ‘chatchkeys’ or slide rules – put up a simple sign telling attendees that you ‘gave a damn’. I am sure the communities in the field would be ever grateful for your meaningful contribution. Hey, Do Something for Myanmar During the aftermath of the South Asia tsunami, the incredible organization Do Something help coordinate dozens of schools in the United States raised funds through bake and chocolate sales, car washes and other fun activities.

Independently schools like Pace Academy of Atlanta, Georgia raised close to $12,000 by changing the cafeteria lunch to traditional South Asian cuisine for a week.

Think you can match that? Email Barb Alvarado with your ideas.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Online: http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/donate

International Wire Transfer: Email Barb Alvarado for bank details and SWIFT code.

Mail: Make Check Payable to: Architecture for Humanity 848 Folsom Street, Suite 201 San Francisco, CA 94107 IRS Tax Exempt ID: 30-0038297

Update from AFH in the states: