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Design Like You Give A Damn: Architectural Responses To Humanitarian Crises
The greatest humanitarian challenge we face today is that of providing shelter. The physical design of our homes, neighborhoods and communities shapes every aspect of our live, yet where architects are most desperately needed, they can least be afforded. Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. It offers a history of the movement toward socially conscious design, and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, healthcare, education and access to clean water, energy and sanitation.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2006
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2426 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 14, 2008
I was disappointed in this book. I wish I could rate it higher, because Architecture for Humanity, the creators of the book, are my favorite non-profit, and I was hoping for more out of this. This book seems to try to be an architectural design version of Worldchanging, but it didn't leave me nearly as hopeful.
The bad first: The books just profiles too many projects. It seem that any project that was somewhat clever and made it to prototype (in most cases) was good enough to include, regardless of the viability of the project as a whole. Only a small number of the projects had actually been implemented in the real world, and only a fraction more could ever be realistically implemented at the current costs.
I would have liked to have seen more detail about only the best ideas -- those that have actually been implemented, and practical details about the effects they have had on the recipients -- and those that seemed like the best ideas that were having trouble finding funding, support, etc -- and the "why"s behind those issues. The positive effects cited were mostly for some of the simplest projects; like the guy who handed out sleeping bags to the homeless. There's an actual before-and-after count of deaths due to hypothermia. That's the kind of thing I wish I saw more of in this book.
The pros: There are some really inspiring projects detailed in this book. And the story about urban planning in the town at the very end of the book was incredibly interesting. At the least, the book points out the serious inadequacies in the the ways we currently address humanitarian crises, and highlights the need for new and innovative ideas.
The bad first: The books just profiles too many projects. It seem that any project that was somewhat clever and made it to prototype (in most cases) was good enough to include, regardless of the viability of the project as a whole. Only a small number of the projects had actually been implemented in the real world, and only a fraction more could ever be realistically implemented at the current costs.
I would have liked to have seen more detail about only the best ideas -- those that have actually been implemented, and practical details about the effects they have had on the recipients -- and those that seemed like the best ideas that were having trouble finding funding, support, etc -- and the "why"s behind those issues. The positive effects cited were mostly for some of the simplest projects; like the guy who handed out sleeping bags to the homeless. There's an actual before-and-after count of deaths due to hypothermia. That's the kind of thing I wish I saw more of in this book.
The pros: There are some really inspiring projects detailed in this book. And the story about urban planning in the town at the very end of the book was incredibly interesting. At the least, the book points out the serious inadequacies in the the ways we currently address humanitarian crises, and highlights the need for new and innovative ideas.
January 15, 2013
Projects for developing communities.
Jacket: One half of the world's people don't have clean water nor adequate sanitation.
Pg 62: Here is a green mobile home that is self sufficient, solar powered that was developed by Mississippi State University.
Pg 137: Migrant worker house with green houses for $70,000, each with 1,000 sq.ft.
Pg 176: Huts for $300 to $500, 16 to 46 sq.ft, 6 by 8 ft. This would make a good small business.
Pg 30: Buss word "community base projects" Bakery, clinic and a livelihood center.
Pg 38: 25% of housing in the US are mobile (1997).
Pg 57: Different kinds of housing listed, emergency, transitional, permanent, and homeless. Do our zoning laws need to be updated to reflect all of these types of housing? "Persecute of happiness" and all that.
Pg 155: The Rural Village looks really good. 32 low income houses for $1.7 million.
Pg 289: Clean Hub System; $15,000 power, water and sanitation project, perfect for a Barber Shop, Farmers Market etc. Made by Architecture for Humanity in Minnesota.
Pg 294: Living Machine; composting toilet system $8,600, developed by UofW, rainwater and solar energy, solar extra.
Pg 296: Dry toilet composting? system for $550 each.
Pg 320: Shrinking cities; since 1950 59 cities in the US have last 10% of their population or more.
Jacket: One half of the world's people don't have clean water nor adequate sanitation.
Pg 62: Here is a green mobile home that is self sufficient, solar powered that was developed by Mississippi State University.
Pg 137: Migrant worker house with green houses for $70,000, each with 1,000 sq.ft.
Pg 176: Huts for $300 to $500, 16 to 46 sq.ft, 6 by 8 ft. This would make a good small business.
Pg 30: Buss word "community base projects" Bakery, clinic and a livelihood center.
Pg 38: 25% of housing in the US are mobile (1997).
Pg 57: Different kinds of housing listed, emergency, transitional, permanent, and homeless. Do our zoning laws need to be updated to reflect all of these types of housing? "Persecute of happiness" and all that.
Pg 155: The Rural Village looks really good. 32 low income houses for $1.7 million.
Pg 289: Clean Hub System; $15,000 power, water and sanitation project, perfect for a Barber Shop, Farmers Market etc. Made by Architecture for Humanity in Minnesota.
Pg 294: Living Machine; composting toilet system $8,600, developed by UofW, rainwater and solar energy, solar extra.
Pg 296: Dry toilet composting? system for $550 each.
Pg 320: Shrinking cities; since 1950 59 cities in the US have last 10% of their population or more.
October 10, 2019
This book is really really bad. Organization, tone, style, all are the worst way to present information. Book font size 9. Flipped through, tried to pick up something interesting to gain insight, got nothing, will donate to library for someone else to try to extract inspiration from.
There are also photographs of presentation boards along the border. Am I supposed to try and read these, or are they decoration?
There are also photographs of presentation boards along the border. Am I supposed to try and read these, or are they decoration?
October 29, 2017
This is a book I really wanted to like and was looking forward to reading. However, the font size and the layout made it nearly impossible to read. In the end, I flipped through it and made the effort to get through the parts I found most intriguing.
March 8, 2017
I think it's a good start /overview if yopu are trying to get to know more about emergency shelters or constructions.
The book describes little about construction methods, but it gives you a nice glimpse of the context and design inspiration.
The book describes little about construction methods, but it gives you a nice glimpse of the context and design inspiration.
May 15, 2012
A more specific subset of the issues discussed in a book like Worldchanging: A Users Guide for the 21st Century - namely architecture, but more specifically architecture and product design to address refugees, people displaced because of natural and environmental disaster, homelessness, better housing for people in slums, etc. Creative solutions that strive for a light ecological footprint and also strive for being appropriate for the locale and culture. Not every attempt is necessarily successful, but fantastic to see people at least tossing those ideas out there. That open dialogue leads to refinements, improvements, etc. Some examples are little more than rough sketches, some CAD drawings, some are things that have been built. Very inspiring.
April 10, 2008
Wow, terrific book. Anyone, not just designers, will enjoy some aspect of this collection. Put into sets based on type of project, each piece receives 2 or 3 pages of pictures and description. There are large community-design plans, group and individual dwellings, relief and transient shelter, existing building upgrades, and waste-water treatment solutions. Each project brings something different to the conglomeration, and each project stands alone, for quick reading.
The book is worth the price for the introduction of Architecture for Humanity alone.
Very inspiring, definitely worth reading.
The book is worth the price for the introduction of Architecture for Humanity alone.
Very inspiring, definitely worth reading.
August 30, 2009
Architecture for Humanity is an organisation which acts as an agency and promoter of ethical architecture. This book catalogues a variety of projects all over the world which have been undertaken in this spirit and are the result of humane interventions, whether emergency architecture and shelter, or community type projects.
The format and font size makes the book a little difficult to read and the illustrations and lack of proper plans inhibits a detailed understanding of the projects, it is still an interesting and stimulating alternative to conventional architectural literature and useful insight into alternative practice.
The format and font size makes the book a little difficult to read and the illustrations and lack of proper plans inhibits a detailed understanding of the projects, it is still an interesting and stimulating alternative to conventional architectural literature and useful insight into alternative practice.
May 6, 2011
One in seven people live in a slum or refugee camp. Nearly half of the world's population have no access to clean water or sanitation. Good design is not for the elite but a necessity for all. Shelter is a necessity for all. This book presents the value of cultural sustainability as well as environmental sustainability with projects ranging from fiberglass shelters for the homeless in LA to a water pump in South Africa powered by children playing on a merry-go-round. The ingenuity in these projects will inspire you. This should be mandatory course in architecture school. A must read for all architects or anyone who gives a damn.
June 9, 2009
Phenomenal book for the coffee table. At the same time, it's a great compilation of case studies of how people design homes and living quarters to fulfill the basic human need for shelter. Though it's a thick & heavy book, it's an easy read, since it's laid out like a magazine - some articles are just a page of photos and half a page of text. What strikes me most about this book is the multiple layers of creativity - the layout is creative and striking, while the content itself touches on the creative ways people build shelters.
June 14, 2008
A must read for those who are in need of some good news concerning man's ability to care for others concerning one of our most basic needs. This book highlights architectual design and planning for individuals and communities that are thinking about the needs of their environments in addition to their own.
November 1, 2008
This book isn't so much a cover-to-cover kind of book. It talks about all kinds of interestingly and/or efficiently designed dwellings (and a other kinds of living-related programs and tools). It's put out by Architecture for Humanity, which is a sweet organization that you should also check out.
February 24, 2010
Great book outlining responsible and innovative design practices both within and outside of architecture. The History lesson at the start is a bit dry, but very informative in regards to the evolution of responsible building designs.
Hoping they come out with an updated version, as the examples from the book only run until 2005.
Hoping they come out with an updated version, as the examples from the book only run until 2005.
January 23, 2011
An inspiring book edited by Architecture for Humanity. Full of photos showing many creative ways to improve lives with humanitarian architecture. My degree is in housing and my passion for it has not waned. The designs in this book range from solutions for tsunmai victims, political refugees, schools, homeless (you have to see the Parasite design), clinics, etc., etc. Fascinating!
May 2, 2012
An inspiring book edited by Architecture for Humanity. Full of photos showing many creative ways to improve lives with humanitarian architecture. My degree is in housing and my passion for it has not waned. The designs in this book range from solutions for tsunmai victims, political refugees, schools, homeless (you have to see the Parasite design), clinics, etc., etc. Fascinating!
July 10, 2007
in the midst of reading it, but it is very interesting, and I am loving getting to know all of the architects - especially buckminster - oh, bucky, you're the greatest! What an amazing individual. that's the kind of person that i want to be. i want to change the world!
August 28, 2012
This book has a been a great reference for me, to see some of the amazing and diverse works going on around the world related to finding creative solutions to show that architects ... well, give a damn about people in need around us.
April 2, 2008
my parents got me this book becuase it has a section on auburn's rural studio work. it turns out that the whole book is great, and it shows the importance of architecture and thoughtful design for everyone.
March 7, 2012
This is an eye-opening collection of essays, interviews, pictures and plans on the design work that goes into providing disaster relief across the globe. I especially appreciated the insights on the role of designers in creating affordable housing through history.
Want to read
May 28, 2007The LIFEFORM people are involved -- so it's gotta be good.
January 4, 2008
I learned about sharing and caring in architecture.. we shouldnt just design for those people that can afford it.
April 2, 2008
Fascinating book about how we could make the world a better place. My favorite was the well pump that worked by kids playing on it. Genius!
January 6, 2009
inspiring. lots o pictures.
October 23, 2008
this is one to own if you have any interest in simple creative solutions to worldwide problems. put this on your coffee table and the right people will want to be your friend for sure.
September 16, 2008
A must for anyone interested in social justice and design. It's really the only book of it's kind, well, that I could find. It the kind of book Sam Mockbee would love to see.
June 23, 2012
This is a perfect coffee table book. I want to read the second book.
October 21, 2007
interesting design competitions. hear the authors speak if you get the chance.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews