The design nonprofit group Architecture for Humanity surprised everyone when it abruptly declared bankruptcy and closed shop in January 2015. Since that time, local chapters around the world have banded together in an effort to create a new identity and a new structure for the organization. In January 2016, they were briefly known as the Chapter Network before the newest rebranding effort was announced in early march.
The organization is now known as the Open Architecture Collaborative and is looking to retool its approach to “reach more people than we ever imagined with the level of locally focused engagement that humanitarian design ultimately demands,” Garrett Jacobs, the new Executive Director of the organization said in a statement.
As Curbed.com reports, the 30-chapter organization is based on ground-up governance and is looking to deliver “design advocacy, facilitation, assessment, and small build services to local grassroots chapters’ marginalized communities,” according to the group’s website. Additionally, OAC wants to help younger design professionals gain field experience.
While this rebranded organization is still in its infancy, it has many big ideas for the future.
“Cities are rapidly transforming and this organization provides local designers and experts to work with the communities that feel those pains the most,” Jacobs said in a video posted to the group’s YouTube channel.
A guiding principle for the OAC is that they believe if people design and build their own environments, they will be more likely to keep them safe, invest in them, and sustain them long term.
The organization will complete its board of directors shortly as the final few seats will be voted on and filled.
Related Stories
| Sep 2, 2022
Converting office buildings to apartments is cheaper, greener than building new
Converting office buildings to apartments is cheaper and greener than tearing down old office properties and building new residential buildings.
| Sep 2, 2022
New UMass Medical School building enables expanded medical class sizes, research labs
A new nine-story, 350,000 sf biomedical research and education facility under construction at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in Worcester, Mass., will accommodate larger class sizes and extensive lab space.
Architects | Sep 1, 2022
BNIM promotes Jeremy Knoll to Director of Sustainability and Regenerative Design
BNIM'S Jeremy Knoll promoted to Director of Sustainability and Regenerative Design.
Giants 400 | Sep 1, 2022
Top 160 K-12 School Architecture + AE Firms for 2022
PBK, DLR Group, Huckabee, and Stantec head the ranking of the nation's largest K-12 school sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
| Sep 1, 2022
ABC: Nonresidential Construction Spending Increases by a Modest 0.8% in July
National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.8% in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
| Sep 1, 2022
The University of Iowa opens the new Stanley Museum of Art, a public museum for both discovering and teaching art
The University of Iowa recently completed its new Stanley Museum of Art, a public teaching museum designed by BNIM.
| Aug 31, 2022
A mixed-use development in Salt Lake City provides 126 micro units with mountain views
In Salt Lake City, a new 130,000-square-foot development called Mya and The Shop SLC, designed by EskewDumezRipple, combines housing with coworking space, retail, and amenities, as well as a landscaped exterior for both residents and the public.
Mass Timber | Aug 30, 2022
Mass timber construction in 2022: From fringe to mainstream
Two Timberlab executives discuss the market for mass timber construction and their company's marketing and manufacturing strategies. Sam Dicke, Business Development Manager, and Erica Spiritos, Director of Preconstruction, Timberlab, speak with BD+C's John Caulfield.
Giants 400 | Aug 29, 2022
Top 80 Senior Living Facility Architecture + AE Firms for 2022
Perkins Eastman, Hord Coplan Macht, Ryan A+E, and Stantec top the ranking of the nation's largest senior living facility architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 29, 2022
Top 70 Student Housing Facility Architecture + AE Firms for 2022
Niles Bolton Associates, Mithun, Gensler, and Perkins and Will top the ranking of the nation's largest student housing facility architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
