Good Deeds

These exceptional organizations all share a sincere interest in the power of doing good deeds.  These organizations exist to make a difference in our lives, and in particular, the lives of the underserved.

We find that the quality of architecture for the underserved is greatly enriched by the work of these non profit organizations…their architectural works are infused with a powerful creative spirit, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Architecture for Humanity
www.architectureforhumanity.org

Architecture for Humanity was founded in 1999 by architect Cameron Sinclair, and journalist Kate Stohr, to promote architecture and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises.

Through competitions, workshops, educational forums, partnerships with aid organizations and other activities, Architecture for Humanity creates opportunities for architects and designers from around the world to help communities in need.

Public Architecture
www.publicarchitecture.org

Public Architecture was founded in 2001 by architect John Peterson, and it presents a new model for architectural practice, by working outside the economic constraints of conventional architectural practice, providing a stable, ongoing venue where architects can work for the public good.

Public Architecture has a program known as the “1% solution” which promotes the idea of pro bono service by asking architectural firms to pledge 1% of their billable hours to the public interest.

The “1% solution” program seeks to institutionalize and celebrate pro bono practice in architecture.

Rural Studio
www.ruralstudio.com

The Auburn University Rural Studio was founded in 1993, by two architecture professors, Samuel Mockbee, and D.K. Ruth.

This exemplary program of architectural outreach, based in Newbern, Alabama, engages architecture students to build homes and community buildings in one of the nation’s poorest regions.

The magnitude of the poverty that these families live in is perhaps best understood when one learns that many of the Rural Studio client families have never lived in a home with heat, plumbing, or weatherproofing.

The extraordinary work of the Rural Studio has been the subject of two books, “Rural Studio” (2002) by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean and Timothy Hursley, and “Proceed and be Bold” (2005) by the same authors.