Architects Without Borders Programs
International Community Development
We provide design assistance to a wide range of international communities. Projects include:
- Jua Lekundu orphanage, Kenya with Jua Lekundu Foundation
- Mama Maria Clinic, Kenya
- Rabour Village Community Resource Center, Kenya
- Lampouk Peace Park, Sumatra Indonesia
- Escuela Saludable y Ecologica, Lima, Peru
Our 2012 emphasis for International Community Development is Peru and Haiti, although we will continue working, as requested, where the need is greatest.
Local Community Development
In the Seattle area, we provide design assistance to underserved communities and the organizations that support them. Our emphasis is on South King County. Representative projects and partners include:
- Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County, Judkins Park Cottages, Kent, and others-
- Helping Link, Seattle
- Tukwilla Food Pantry, Tukwilla, WA
Disaster Recovery and Response
We provide design assistance to communities impacted by natural and man-made disasters. We also assist primary responders where we can provide useful services such as damage assessments in the immediate aftermath to natural disasters. Disaster-related projects include:
- Kalapuwa Sri Boys Orphanage, Sri Lanka (completed 2008)
- Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response (2006)
- SW Washington Flood Responses (2007 and 2009)
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Helping Link in Seattle’s Little Saigon includes the design and construction of a rooftop garden and wooden fences. Although small, it’s an important project for residents, staff and users and will serve as a place for learning, inspiration and reflection where kids, adults and seniors can spend time together and connect with nature. AWB team researched the community and the culture to ensure the space would provide an appropriate cultural reflection with respect to color, shape, and orientation.
The Escuela Saludable y Ecologica project focuses on improving living conditions and health in an urban slum of 27,000 in northern Lima, Peru. A collaboration with U. of Washington and the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and in partnership with students, parents, teachers, and community members, the project uses design activism, interdisciplinary research and education to include ecological design elements, the development of associated educational programs and the monitoring and evaluation of environmental and human health impacts of these projects.
AWB recently received El Centro de la Raza’s Team of the Year Award, for assistance on two projects for El Centro: the design of a renovation of the exterior stairways and the remodel of a conference room.
We operate with very low overhead and all the design work is provided pro bono. The success of our projects depends on the preparedness of our volunteers and the availability of a support system that can cover occasional travel expenses, volunteer and liability insurance, and materials for design, storage and construction.