About Architecture for Humanity

“The land we bought was literally ‘the site from hell,’ Architecture for Humanity”s design fellow managed to design classrooms that we will be able to replicate on any site. I really think it could be the best built school in rural Uganda.”

– Carol Auld, Kutamba AIDS Orphans School, Bikongozo, Uganda

By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed.

Each year more than 100,000 people directly benefit from structures and community development projects designed, built or facilitated by Architecture for Humanity. Our advocacy, training and outreach programs impact an additional 200,000 people annually. We channel the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally. From conception to completion, we manage all aspects of the design and construction process. Our clients include community groups, aid organizations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations.

Design is important to every aspect of our lives. It informs the places in which we live, work, learn, heal and gather. We engage all stakeholders in the design process. We believe our clients are designers in their own right.

Thoughtful, inclusive design creates lasting change in communities by:

• Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change

Architecture for Humanity is a catalyst for innovation. We learn by doing. We know the value of sharing success stories and lessons learned—our own as well as those of others. To foster knowledge sharing and promote best practices, we developed the Open Architecture Network (www.openarchitecturenetwork.org). This groundbreaking on-line network empowers architects, designers, builders and their clients to share architectural plans and drawings—including CAD files. All plans are shared through an open-source model and can be freely downloaded by all.

Design is the ultimate renewable resource. Join us in building safer, more sustainable and more innovative structures—structures that are assets to their communities and an ongoing testament to the ability of people to come together to envision a better future.

OUR NETWORK

Architecture for Humanity brings people who care about sustainable development together. We provide a range of design and construction administration services to partners and clients through a global network of design, development and construction professionals with local expertise and knowledge.

Design Advocates
76,500 newsletter subscribers, 500+ professional affiliations globally

Local Chapters
52 chapters in 13 countries with more than 6,470 volunteer design professionals

Design Fellowship Program
More than 30 design fellows dedicated to community based design projects globally for 6-month to 1-year fellowships

Open Architecture Network/Worldchanging www.openarchitecturenetwork.org

• First site to offer open source architectural plans, drawings and online viewing of CAD files
• Ability to collaborate, manage projects remotely, and share design knowledge
• 50,000 unique visits monthly
• 35,500 registered users

Social Media Metrics

• Twitter – 137,000 followers and growing – @archforhumanity
• Facebook – 17,000 fans
• Architecture for Humanity website – 85,000 monthly hits

Clients

• Community-based organizations: Pinsara Federation, League for Education and Development, Hope Coordination Center, and others.
• Housing developers: Habitat for Humanity, Hope Coordination Center, and others.
• Institutional and NGO clients: UN Habitat, AMD, FIFA, Nike, Oprah’s Angel Network, Orient Global, and many others.
• Government: USAID, Parks Department of the City of New York, Office of Emergency Management

Architecture for Humanity on Frontline/The World, June 2008

Awards and Honors

2012 SEED (Social Economic Environmental Design) Award to Maria Auxiliadora School. Kimisagara and Fresh Moves named honorable mentions

2012 Architecture for Humanity Co-Founder Kate Stohr named one of “10 Women to Watch” by EcoSalon

2010 Named Green Building Super Heroes by USGBC of Northern California

2009 Royal Society of Arts Bicentenary Medal

2009 Treehugger: Best Humanitarian Designer

2008 Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award (Design Patron Award)

2007 Zumtobel Group Finalist (Open Architecture Network)

2007 AIA New York Foundation Award

2007 AIA Arkansas Design Award (Marlon Blackwell Architect, Biloxi Model Home Program)

2007 AIA Houston Design Awards On the Boards (MC2 Architects, Biloxi Model Home Program)

2007 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award

2006 TED Prize

2005 Index Award to Improve Life (community)

2006 WIRED Rave Award for Architecture

2005 AIA San Francisco Design Awards Special Achievement – Global Impact

2004 ASID Design for Humanity Award

2005 Lewis Mumford Award for Peace

Financial Data

2011 Financial Report (2.10 MB PDF)

Application of Extension (1.96 MB PDF)

2010 990 (2.63 MB PDF)