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
| Dec 8, 2011
HOK elevates the green office standard
Firm achieves LEED Platinum certification in New York office that overlooks Bryant Park.
| Dec 7, 2011
ACE Mentor Program receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math and Engineering Mentoring
Thornton Tomasetti founding principal Charles H. Thornton responsible for launching ACE.
| Dec 7, 2011
NSF International qualifies first wallcoverings distributor to the New American National Standard for Sustainable Wallcoverings
TRI-KES demonstrates leadership in environmental stewardship as the first distributor to earn qualification.
| Dec 7, 2011
DPR Foundation awards $590,000 to youth organizations
Grants will fund programs for disadvantaged kids across six states.
| Dec 7, 2011
Autodesk agrees to acquire Horizontal Systems
Acquisition extends and accelerates cloud-based BIM solutions for collaboration, data, and lifecycle management.
| Dec 7, 2011
ICS Builders and BKSK Architects complete St. Hilda’s House in Manhattan
The facility's design highlights the inherent link between environmental consciousness and religious reverence.
| Dec 6, 2011
Construction industry leaders gather for forum on diversity
Declared a “groundbreaking” event for the industry, Gilbane’s First Annual National Partners Council Forum addressed diversity and inclusion as well as building partnerships with minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses.
| Dec 6, 2011
Mortenson Construction completes Elk Wind Project in Iowa
By the end of 2011, Mortenson will have built 17 wind projects in the state generating a total of 1894 megawatts of renewable power.
| Dec 6, 2011
?ThyssenKrupp acquires Sterling Elevators Services
The acquisition of Sterling Elevator Services Corporation is the third acquisition completed by ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG in the last three months in North America.
| Dec 6, 2011
Vivenzio named vice president of building performance practice at Thornton Tomasetti’s New York Office
Vivenzio, a licensed architect in New York and New Jersey, has more than 28 years of experience in architectural project management, construction administration, building diagnostic services and forensic investigation.
