Design For Ethical Production: Architecture For Humanity

During the seminar on Ethical Production I was particularly interested in the charitable oragnaisation 'Architecture for Humanity'.

One of their many projects that captured my interest was the Biloxi Model Home Program which focused on the repair and rebuild family homes belonging to those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Through this program the rehabilitation of hundreds of partially destroyed housing stock provided a start for long-term reconstruction that addresses the way building are constructed in hurricane prone communities.

The goal of the Biloxi Model Home program is to provide design services and financial assistance for the construction of homes that for families in Biloxi, Mississippi whose houses were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Families are paired with a team of professional designers who work with them one-on-one to design a new home for their property that is not only affordable but is also sustainable and meets the area's new building requirements.

Using the latest in materials research, disaster mitigation and sustainable building techniques, these designs address sustainability not only from a material and energy use stand point but in a community development sense as well. By rebuilding responsible homes in a devastated community families have a real base for contributing to the re-establishment of their community, rather than just getting by until the next disaster. 

This program approaches reconstruction in a mode that facilitates good design solutions by standardising processes and partnership strategies as opposed to standardising design. By this method disaster response programs may be established prior to disaster to allow effective relief in the critical time necessary.

Sources: ArchitectureForHumanity