From the latest news and projects, to leading figures and where to find collaborative projects, competitions and events, here are our pick of the top 20 online resources for humanitarian architecture.
Impact Design Hub
Impact Design Hub serves as a place for architects and designers to come together on projects relating to humanitarian, social impact and community design, used to create positive social, environmental and economic change in the world. They showcase individuals and businesses who are playing an influential role in the field, and tackle key issues and thought-provoking developments.
https://impactdesignhub.org/
Inhabitat
Established by New York City designer Jill Fehrenbacher, Inhabitat follows the innovative technologies, practices and materials that are steering architecture and design towards a more sustainable future. It serves as a forum for discussing new ideas and trends, and investigating the products and people that are creating a more environmentally friendly approach to development.
http://inhabitat.com/
Shelter Global
Shelter Global aims to spread awareness about the lack of adequate shelter throughout the world and bring together architects, designers, engineers and educators to change this. They organize an annual Dencity architectural competition to tackle this issue and uncover innovative solutions in providing safe and clean living conditions for everyone.
https://shelterglobal.org
Alejandro Aravena from Elemental
Chilean based company Elemental is led by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena and focuses on social impact projects that include housing, public infrastructure and transportation initiatives. They played an influential role in the reconstruction of Constitución following the devastating earthquake that impacted Chile in 2010, creating a city design that tackled inherent social and political issues.
http://www.elementalchile.cl/en/
MASS Design
With an approach to architecture that aims to promote health and dignity, MASS Design works in over a dozen countries throughout Africa and the Americas. They work closely with communities to create functional designs using locally-sourced and environmentally sustainable building materials and construction methods.
https://www.massdesigngroup.org/
ARCHIVE Global
Standing for Architecture for Health in Vulnerable Environments, ARCHIVE Global is a non-profit organization that focuses on using housing design as a strategy for combating disease around the world. It serves as a cross-disciplinary research platform for leading architects and academics in the fields of social science, medicine and planning to collaborate on projects and share ideas on practical housing solutions and innovations.
http://archiveglobal.org/
Julia King
A recent recipient of the prestigious AJ Emerging Woman Architect of the Year Award, Julia King is a British/Venezuelan researcher and designer with practices in both New Delhi and London. Her work focuses on the future of urban development, and she has been responsible for building a sewer for 322 low-income houses in New Delhi and regenerating the Taj East drain which traverses slum areas near the Taj Mahal.
Julia Kind Named Emerging Woman Architect
Kirtee Shah
Chairman of KSA Design Planning Services and founding director of the Ahmedabad Study Action Group (ASAG), Kirtee Shah has played an influential role in urban planning for disadvantaged communities throughout his career. He has also served as the president of Habitat International Coalition, which deals with issues of housing rights and sustainable urban development.
KSADPS
Bustler
Bustler is the sister site for leading architectural site Archinect and is the premier online publication for competitions and events in the architecture and design fields. They highlight events and competitions taking place across the globe, and provide a platform for users to discuss submissions and industry news.
http://bustler.net/
Dezeen (Humanitarian Section)
The recipient of numerous awards in journalism and publishing, Dezeen is an influential architecture and design magazine with a dedicated section focusing on humanitarian architecture. They showcase the latest news and innovations in the industry, as well as produce articles focusing on designers and independent brands who are leading the field in humanitarian architecture.
http://www.dezeen.com/tag/humanitarian-architecture/
ArchDaily (Humanitarian Section)
ArchDaily is a website that showcases the latest projects and innovations in the field of architecture, with a separate humanitarian section which aims to inspire work in this area. They connect humanitarian architects across the globe and present the most exciting projects taking place that are helping to improve the lives of others.
http://www.archdaily.com/tag/humanitarian-architecture
AutoDesk Foundation
Autodesk Foundation supports innovative design solutions to some of the world’s most critical social and environmental challenges, uncovering impact-driven organizations who are striving to make a difference. They provide not only funding, but also software, training and ongoing support to ensure these organizations achieve what they set out to.
http://www.autodesk.org/
Shigeru Ban
Pritzker-winning architect Shigeru Ban is the founder of the Voluntary Architects Network and renowned for his innovative use of recyclable materials to create high-quality and low-cost shelters for disaster victims across the globe. His compassionate approach to design has impacted the lives of people from Rwanda to Haiti, India and Japan, inspiring a dedicated following.
http://www.archdaily.com/489255/the-humanitarian-works-of-shigeru-ban
Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity aims to create safe and affordable housing for all, recognizing that poor housing conditions contribute to the ongoing poverty cycle. They have worked in almost 1,400 communities across the US and 70 countries around the world, with a volunteer network that helps Habitat homeowners build their own dwellings with an affordable mortgage.
http://www.habitat.org/stories
Building Trust International
Building Trust International is a non-profit organization that tackles the issues of rapid urbanization and unsustainable construction, and how this leads to high levels of homelessness. They believe in the role of architecture and design in creating effective solutions that can have a positive impact on people, wildlife and the planet.
http://www.buildingtrustinternational.org/
Design Corps
Design Corps works with traditionally underserved communities to create positive change through design, advocacy and education. They aim to equip people with the knowledge and skills to shape their own lives and empower their community, addressing social, economic and environmental issues through their SEED Network and Public Interest Design Institute.
https://designcorps.org
Project H
Project H works with young people to educate them in the fields of applied arts and sciences, vocational building skills and design, giving them the creative, technical and leadership tools to make positive changes in their own communities. They conduct hands-on, in-school programs, as well as after-school and summer Girls Garage workshops to inspire the next generation of architects and designers.
http://www.projecthdesign.org/
Catapult
Catapult is a design firm that works with socially-driven organizations to create products and services that give low income communities the tools needed to improve their quality of life. They bring together a highly-skilled team of designers, engineers and business strategists with the on-ground experience to turn ideas and concepts into viable solutions.
https://catapultdesign.org/
Hug It Forward
Hug It Forward is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to build their own “bottle schools”. Plastic bottles are stuffed with inorganic trash to create “eco bricks”, addressing issues dealing with waste disposal, consumption and environmental degradation, together with providing an education solution in communities without the funds to build a conventional school.
http://hugitforward.org/
Journeyman International
Journeyman International is an online platform which connects volunteer architects, designers, engineers and project managers with humanitarian projects around the globe. They carefully pair projects and people, giving young professionals the opportunity to work on inspiring projects that will shape them and their careers.
http://www.journeymaninternational.org/
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