STRUCTURES FOR INCLUSION 2015

Just one week before SFI 2015! This weekend will be packed with speakers including DC’s Brad Guy from CUA and new project highlights from the transitioning Chapter Network, formerly known as the AFH international chapters. Hope to see you there!

The fifteenth Structures for Inclusion (SFI) Conference will be held April 11 and 12, 2015, in Detroit, Michigan, and will be hosted by Lawrence Technological University (LTU). The annual conference will feature the best public interest design from around the globe, including the 2015 SEED Award winners.For fifteen years, the purpose of the SFI conference has been to bring together and share the best ideas and practices that are reaching those currently un-served by architecture. Bringing this conference to Detroit in April 2015 is quite fitting given Detroit’s position at a historic crossroad. “Resilience of Mind, Body and Spirit” will be the theme of SFI 15. Projects from Detroit and other resilient cities in search of a new kind of post-industrial world order.

See more about the event at Design Corps.

AFH CHAPTER NETWORK: UNITED WE STAND STRONGER THAN EVER

The headquarters office of Architecture for Humanity closed it’s doors this month, shocking its affiliates and supporters. Here is the response from the AFH Chapter Network:

Despite the unfortunate news that our parent organization has chosen to discontinue operations and close their San Francisco-based office, the Architecture for Humanity Chapter Network is eager to continue our work. 57 chapters consisting of thousands of volunteers around the world provide pro-bono design services, advocacy, and training within our local communities.

AFH Chapters have tapped into the growing enthusiasm of the design profession for a socially conscious practice, offering a space for residents, community leaders, designers and nonprofits to convene and build visions of a more inclusive future. We will continue to act as facilitators, fundraisers, teachers, community organizers, designers and listeners for those in need. The commitment of this network of volunteers remains unwavering, and we vow to continue supporting our local communities.

We believe design is a right not a privilege. We organize today gathering our team of over 20,000 global volunteers to adapt to the changing climate of the design profession and to strengthen our commitment to advancing the mission of humanitarian design. True to our grassroots form, we are determined, agile and resilient. We are ready for the challenges of this new year and are looking towards a brighter future. United we stand stronger than ever.

Stay tuned as our congress of chapter leaders continue to share information on our path forward. afhnetwork.org

See articles at Fast Company and Architect.

2015 DC AFFORDABLE LIVING DESIGN COMPETITION

Last day to register!!

The DC Living Building Challenge Collaborative has been working with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to propose this competition. The competition is to design 10-15 Living Building Challenge residences in the Deanwood neighborhood of Washington DC.

“The DDOE has been fundamental in incorporating the Living Building Challenge into the fabric of the DC’s sustainable language. In 2013 ILFI, the new buildings institute (nbi,) and Skanska wrote a comprehensive paper prepared for by the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs and Sustainable DC, DDOE called, Net Zero and Living Building Challenge Financial Study: A Cost Comparison Report for Buildings in the District of Columbia.”

See more and register your team at DCLBCC.

PUBLIC JOURNAL – YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT

image from http://www.consciousbuild.com

Treat yourself, or a friend, to a great gift this holiday season! Subscribe to PUBLIC Journal, a quarterly magazine about public interest design. AIA and AIAS members are eligible for a free digital subscription, but the print edition is so beautifully done that you’ll want it too.

PUBLIC features thought-provoking editorials and exceptional photography of meaningful projects that are improving lives. Our readers get insight into the social, political, and cultural issues that surround this burgeoning movement. PUBLIC tells stories of like-minded individuals attempting to make a difference and celebrates their challenges and successes, one project at a time. Today’s growing Public Interest Design movement deserves to be exposed and archived.

Subscribe here. Architecture for Humanity DC members are also eligible for 50% off. Contact the DC Chapter to find out more.

PUBLIC INTEREST DESIGN INSTITUTE COMES TO DC!

Bryan Bell, design activist and founder of Design Corps, will lead a 2 day Public Interest Design Institute in Washington DC from January 16-17 (Friday & Saturday). A mix of local and national speakers ranging from grass roots PID projects to federal government initiated projects are listed on the PIDI website. The range will give participants in depth knowledge on how to pursue these project types and what resources there are at all scales to get them off the ground.

Participants will also receive a SEED certification plus 11+ HSW CEUs and learn more about the Social, Economic, and Environmental Design rating system which helps prepare projects for grants applications. Speakers include DC’s very own public interest design firm Make DC along with the nonprofit/for profit combo firm Inscape Publico and volunteer group Architecture for Humanity DC. Larger organizations, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and Enterprise Community Partners may be participating as well.

AIA and AfH members get an early bird discount by Dec 17. Register soon with Public Interest Design Institute, space is limited! Event will be at the District Architecture Center.

VOLUNTEER – ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY DC

The Washington DC Chapter of Architecture for Humanity held its second annual Volunteer Appreciation Happy Hour last month. Architecture for Humanity is a volunteer non-profit organization set up to promote architecture and design to seek solutions to global social and humanitarian issues. There are Chapters all over the world, many which are grassroots all volunteer groups, like in DC. Contact your local Chapter to receive pro bono design services, to donate, or to volunteer. New projects for the DC Chapter include a Community Center in South Africa, an art installation for a farmers market in DC, and a renovation for a local school’s teacher’s facilities also in DC.

Visit the main AFH website and the DC Chapter website to find out more.

PARK(ING) DAY – THE REAL DEAL 2014

The Architecture firm that I work for, ZGF, participated in PARK(ing) Day this year. Here are some photos from our ‘Perspective Park’ and my lessons learned from participating in PARK(ing) Day:

It is fun!
DDOT has created event guidelines for DC. Register under your company and follow the event guideline instructions or else your park may not end up on the DC PARK(ing) Day map. (That is what happened to us…sad face.)
Permits are between $50 and $80.
Citizens in action – people will call the cops if you are painting a parking space…even with chalk paint. Luckily cops are aware that chalk paint washes away and that PARK(ing) Day is an awesome event!!
It qualifies for the 1% Program! If your company is a member you can put time towards this.
Get ready for 2015 starting…now!

PARTNERING DESIGN STUDENTS WITH HUMANITARIAN GROUPS

Journeyman International website

Journeyman International is an organization which partners design students with local and global humanitarian groups. They offer two programs that students can apply for, a 9-month, full time University Thesis project for seniors, or a 10-week long Internship program for upper level students.

Not a student? No problem! JI wants to meet design professionals who are interested in helping out with the student programs. Not a designer? No worries! See if your organization can partner with a design student.

Find out more by attending the JI happy hour Thursday, September 25, 2014 in Washington DC. See the AFH-DC website for details.

NONPROFITS – EMPHASIZE YOUR MISSION THROUGH DESIGN

Grass Day-Use Building by M2 Architecture and Re:Vision Architecture

The Washington DC area is going to get one of its first Living Building Challenge buildings thanks to the Alice Ferguson Foundation. The environmentally focused Maryland nonprofit hired M2 Architects, Re:Vision Architects, and Andropogon to design a campus of buildings on their 330 Acres in Accokeek, Maryland across the river from Mount Vernon. The Grass Day-Use Building is the first in the phased construction and is nearly complete. It has been designed to meet the progressive ‘regulations’ of the Living Building Challenge. Only one building on the East Coast has received the Living Building Challenge certification thus far. Students from Washington DC public schools will visit the Grass Day-Use Building to learn about the environment and will participate in the Living Building Challenge by measuring the building’s performance and impact on the environment which is required for a year after construction for all Living Buildings in order to get certified.

The Alice ferguson Foundation connects people to the natural world, sustainable agricultural practices and the cultural heritage of their local watershed through education, stewardship and advocacy.

Read more about the Living Building Challenge. See the other AFF buildings and check out the live Webcam.

CHANGING THE WORLD 1% AT A TIME

1percent-250x250

Image from the 1% Program

The 1% Program just announced that 1,300 design firms have signed up. These firms have pledged to donate 1% of their time annually, to providing pro bono services to nonprofits and communities in need. Combined, that is $50 million worth of design services provided at no fee or reduced fee. Nonprofits can register with the 1% Program to receive these free or reduced design services. Design firms can register and make their pledge.

Read the Handbook for Designers and the Handbook for Nonprofits. See more announcements on the Public Architecture blog.