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Design Like You Give a Damn [2]: Building Change from the Ground Up
Design Like You Give a Damn [2] is the indispensable handbook for anyone committed to building a more sustainable future. Following the success of their first book, Architecture for Humanity brings readers the next edition, with more than 100 projects from around the world. Packed with practical and ingenious design solutions, this book addresses the need for basic shelter, housing, education, health care, clean water, and renewable energy. One-on-one interviews and provocative case studies demonstrate how innovative design is reimagining community and uplifting lives. From building-material innovations such as smog-eating concrete to innovative public policy that is repainting Brazil's urban slums, Design Like You Give a Damn [2] serves as a how-to guide for anyone seeking to build change from the ground up.
Praise for Design Like You Give a Damn [2]:
"No community is immune to the forces of climate change. If we have learned anything from Hurricane Katrina, it is that we must adapt. Good design accelerates the adoption of new ideas-and this book shows us how."
Brad Pitt, Jolie-Pitt Foundation
"It is not just about putting bricks to mortar. It is about taking the vision of
creating a better world for others and making it tangible"
Auma Obama, Sauti Kuu Foundation
Praise for Design Like You Give a Damn [2]:
"No community is immune to the forces of climate change. If we have learned anything from Hurricane Katrina, it is that we must adapt. Good design accelerates the adoption of new ideas-and this book shows us how."
Brad Pitt, Jolie-Pitt Foundation
"It is not just about putting bricks to mortar. It is about taking the vision of
creating a better world for others and making it tangible"
Auma Obama, Sauti Kuu Foundation
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
12 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 5, 2024
I've no doubt that more projects have run into more problems than the few mentioned here, just because that *always* happens over time. The intentions and plans of people rarely work as anticipated and needs change. Overall the book is hopeful, optimistic, and reflects some very solid values about resilience, and sustainability, about beauty, and dignity. The projects presented here cover an array of needs and uses, and whatever flaws they might show over time, the intentions are good.
DLYGAD [2] in addition to promoting the organization (now grown and morphed into WorldChangers, I believe) and its aims, also offers a great deal of the purely pragmatic: there is quite a lot of logistics information about how entities, governmental or non- should serve people they want to help. Special bonus points for seeking out the areas that aren't inundated with helpers after an emergency because there are always people who don't get the focus of attention.
While there is a great deal of idealism there is also the open source architecture resource, among others, such as how to organize efforts at a distance.
It isn't possible for one entity to overcome centuries of colonization and an ever-recurring pattern of stealing from everyone in order to enrich the few, any more than it is possible for one robberbaron (or these days, oligarch, or just plain billionaire) to redeem years of ongoing theft with good works. The lessons of Carnegie are apt here. But, if we cannot turn the tide against disastrous economic and political policies, we can, and should, do all possible to mitigate some of the harms.
Kindness and respect count, always, and it is good for me to be reminded of that.
Library copy
DLYGAD [2] in addition to promoting the organization (now grown and morphed into WorldChangers, I believe) and its aims, also offers a great deal of the purely pragmatic: there is quite a lot of logistics information about how entities, governmental or non- should serve people they want to help. Special bonus points for seeking out the areas that aren't inundated with helpers after an emergency because there are always people who don't get the focus of attention.
While there is a great deal of idealism there is also the open source architecture resource, among others, such as how to organize efforts at a distance.
It isn't possible for one entity to overcome centuries of colonization and an ever-recurring pattern of stealing from everyone in order to enrich the few, any more than it is possible for one robberbaron (or these days, oligarch, or just plain billionaire) to redeem years of ongoing theft with good works. The lessons of Carnegie are apt here. But, if we cannot turn the tide against disastrous economic and political policies, we can, and should, do all possible to mitigate some of the harms.
Kindness and respect count, always, and it is good for me to be reminded of that.
Library copy
September 18, 2020
This indeed is Architecture For Humanity. Designed and built by people valuing humanity for the people and their community in need.
Thought-provoking, inspirational, knowledgeable is what comes to my mind when I think about Design Like You Give a Damn {2}: Building Change from the Ground Up. Anyone interested in changing the community from the ground up will be invested in this book like I was. This book addresses causes from disaster reconstruction, Housing, Community building, Basic services, and materials in a community to politics, policy, and planning. Many innovative ideas experimented are mentioned for the causes mentioned in this book which is really educating and inspiring.
All the projects in this book have been targeted to build a positive change in their respective community be it the uplifting the face of the housing, providing safe shelter to the homeless, decreasing the crime rate in a neighborhood, providing cause and employment to the youths to be active in developing the community or proposing a healthy living environment in a compact settlement.
The projects in the book compel you to think about the community in your area and provoke you to take a step in towards the improvement of your neighborhood. This makes you acknowledge the types of services in your neighborhood for the people lacking or otherwise, and reflect on the sustenance of the neighborhood in and for the future.
#mustread
Thought-provoking, inspirational, knowledgeable is what comes to my mind when I think about Design Like You Give a Damn {2}: Building Change from the Ground Up. Anyone interested in changing the community from the ground up will be invested in this book like I was. This book addresses causes from disaster reconstruction, Housing, Community building, Basic services, and materials in a community to politics, policy, and planning. Many innovative ideas experimented are mentioned for the causes mentioned in this book which is really educating and inspiring.
All the projects in this book have been targeted to build a positive change in their respective community be it the uplifting the face of the housing, providing safe shelter to the homeless, decreasing the crime rate in a neighborhood, providing cause and employment to the youths to be active in developing the community or proposing a healthy living environment in a compact settlement.
The projects in the book compel you to think about the community in your area and provoke you to take a step in towards the improvement of your neighborhood. This makes you acknowledge the types of services in your neighborhood for the people lacking or otherwise, and reflect on the sustenance of the neighborhood in and for the future.
#mustread
July 3, 2018
There is a vast array of nearly every type of architecture showcased, from hospitals to personal residences to cafeterias to memorials.
What they all have in common is they are all designed by people who care about people. These architects care about everyone being provided with buildings that will help physical and mental health, that will help promote environmentalism and healthy lifestyles, that will withstand diastaers or rise rapidly from them, homes that affordable and schools that promote actual education.
A great reminder in this day and age that not all hope is lost with humanity.
May 24, 2020
A classic that I keep on my desk. The insights on practicing architecture cross-culturally, working with local communities and authorities, and finding creative funding options to bring these projects into reality are gold. The pretty pictures and beautiful designs are icing on the cake.
November 11, 2017
I liked the format of the first book a little better. It seemed like there was more variety of projects and more in depth. But this one was also very interesting!
October 17, 2012
From building-material innovations such as smog-eating concrete to innovative public policy that is repainting Brazil’s urban slums, Design Like You Give a Damn [2] serves as a how-to guide for anyone seeking to build change from the ground up.
August 25, 2016
This book was as good as the first one. Both books in this series focus on building indigenous buildings using local materials, that are high-quality and very functional for a people group. The diversity of the buildings and cultures is amazing.
January 28, 2013
A fascinating look at wise and intelligent design around the world; blessed with many photographs and a very informative text.
August 19, 2014
Very inspirational stories of architects working for society rather than... well, other architects.
September 28, 2016
Awesome! Full of information and pictures and facts that will blow your mind.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews