Appropriate Technology: "Design Like you Give a Damn"
One of the most basic human needs is for shelter. This fact was brought harshly to light by the Tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina a year later. One organization stepped up to the plate and started a push to bring structurally sound, affordable and sustainable housing to the displaced in those areas and many more.
Their mottow is "Design Like you Give a Damn" -- and they do. Arcitecture for Humanity (http://architectureforhumanity.org/) was founded in 1999 by Cameron Sinclair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Sinclair) and Kate Stohr in an effort to erect affordable housing in developing nations, war zones and areas struck by disaster. They are currently working on an Open Architecture Network, an online forum for architects and suppliers that they hope will foster a long-term effort toward sustainable design and construction.
The charitable Architecture for Humanity organization has helped thousands of displaced persons already, and has sponsored playground-building projects in the Balkans and designed "perfect-pitch" soccer fields in South Africa. Sinclair's efforts have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the Ted Prize at the Technology Entertainment Design conference in 2006, was the 2005 RISD Emerging Designer of the Year, and along with partner Stohr was awarded Wired Magazine's Rave Award for their efforts on the Gulf Coast.
Their mottow is "Design Like you Give a Damn" -- and they do. Arcitecture for Humanity (http://architectureforhumanity.org/) was founded in 1999 by Cameron Sinclair (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Sinclair) and Kate Stohr in an effort to erect affordable housing in developing nations, war zones and areas struck by disaster. They are currently working on an Open Architecture Network, an online forum for architects and suppliers that they hope will foster a long-term effort toward sustainable design and construction.
The charitable Architecture for Humanity organization has helped thousands of displaced persons already, and has sponsored playground-building projects in the Balkans and designed "perfect-pitch" soccer fields in South Africa. Sinclair's efforts have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the Ted Prize at the Technology Entertainment Design conference in 2006, was the 2005 RISD Emerging Designer of the Year, and along with partner Stohr was awarded Wired Magazine's Rave Award for their efforts on the Gulf Coast.
Architecture for Humanity donates building materials and contract workers’ services to disaster areas and areas devastated by poverty. They collect donations (http://architectureforhumanity.org/sponsor/sponsor.html) toward their cause, and they sell “Design Like You Give a Damn” merchandise to help fund their projects.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
