News & Events

April 2010

David Tittle Runs 40 miles for Haiti!

A huge thank you to David Tittle from MADE in Birmingham who completed "A Conventry Way Challenge", a 40 mile run on 18th April.   Although an avid runner, this is the first time David attempted such a long distance and finished in 9 hours, a tremendous achievement!   Read more about the journey and a play by play of the event from David's family on David's blog.

In the process, David raised over £1000 towards the Article 25 Haiti appeal, where we are working on a long term post-earthquake reconstruction programme.  You can still support David's amazing challenge!

David - we applaud you!!!

If you're a runner like David and fancy a slightly shorter challenge - we still have a few places available on our Royal Parks Half Marathon team!

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PRESS RELEASE

Date 01.03.10

Post Earthquake Support to Chile

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On Saturday 27th February at 3:34 a.m. local time, an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck Chile. Lasting approximately 90 seconds, the quake struck offshore near to Chile's second city, Concepcion, and was felt in the capital Santiago. So far there have been more than 30 aftershocks, between 5.5 and 6.5 in magnitude. Reports suggest over 700 people have been killed, and up to 2 million may be affected by the catastrophe.

"Chile’s terrifying earthquake and resultant tsunamis, coming so soon after the disaster in Haiti, underline the need for the construction community to give skills and capacity ready to help those in need". Said Jack Pringle, Chair of the UKs leading reconstruction charity Article 25

"The initial aftermath of the quake will call for search and rescue services, medical assistance, and reinstating infrastructure such as water supplies and communication networks. Should the services of Article 25 be needed we will support initiatives to rebuild affected areas". said Robin Cross, Article 25's Director of Projects.

Chile does, however, have a long history of earthquakes and a proven capacity to recover. Chile's ability to cope with an earthquake of this magnitude is in large part due to the country's preparedness strategy, including a high standard of building codes which require earthquake resistant construction methods. Despite being of a higher magnitude than the devastating earthquake in Haiti earlier this year, Chile’s preparedness, combined with the fact that the quake struck offshore and at a considerable depth under the earth's surface, marks the stark difference in human and structural impact between this and Haiti's earthquake.

The level of preparedness in Chile is one that Article 25 says they would always hope to replicate through thier building projects in earthquake-prone areas worldwide. Article 25 are no strangers to post-earthquake reconstruction: in their award-winning seismically-resistant housing built in Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake, Article 25 saw firsthand the value of applying innovative and intelligent design expertise. Article 25 teams are preparing to visit Haiti next week to conduct an assessment of damage to schools for an NGO partner. In addition Article 25 remain ready to provide technical assistance to organisations responding to the quake in Chile.  

"The death and destruction caused by earthquakes worldwide wide sends a powerful message to the built environment profession, highlighting the role it can play in both preparedness and reconstruction". Said CEO and founder of Article 25, Dr Victoria Harris. "All those interested in applying their skills to these challenges, worldwide, are encouraged to sign up to the Article 25 Built Environment Action Register or "BEAR" for built environment professionals".

"For the lives which have been lost in this tragedy and for those involved in the recovery process, our sympathies and support are with the people of Chile," she concluded.

Article 25 will be in Haiti from the 8th of March to start the process of rebuilding schools destroyed by the earthquake. 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Haiti Appeal including:

• DLA Architecture
• Anna Liu, Tonkin Liu
• Clayton EuroRisk
• Tobacco Factory
• Bristol Brewing Company
• The Orange Public House & Hotel
• A A Mieses-Castellanos

To donate to the Haiti appeal go to: www.justgiving.com/rebuildingHaiti

Please visit our Vacancies page for volunteer positions in Haiti.

November 2009:

Team Green Tea return from Cuban Cycle Challenge

Extra special thanks to the team from Green Tea Architects who spent 6 months training and raising money in preparation for their Cuban Bike Challenge.  Anne Dixon, Julia Wyatt and Krystyna Kwasniewska.  The 380 km, quite strenuous bike ride took them through some fantastic Cuban landscape.  In the process the ladies raised over £5500. 

There is still time to sponsor their efforts...simply go to www.justgiving.com/greenteaincuba.

Of course if you would like to follow in their footsteps and challenge yourself by cycling Cuba, trekking the Great Wall of China, or climbing Kilimanjaro, email Lisa and we'll get you started!

August 2009:

Article 25 chosen as the sponsored charity of the Architect of the Year 2009

Article 25 is honoured to be the sponsored charity of the Architect of the Year Awards 2009, taking place on Thursday 5th November at the InterContinental London.  

The Architect of the year Awards 2009 are aimed at rewarding the practices behind excellent built projects.  Last year more than 1,000 of the UK’s top architects and clients attended the Awards to witness the presentation of the trophies, and this years event is set to be even bigger!

Click here to book your place at this prestigious event.

August 2009:

The World Architecture Festival announces support for international humanitarian architecture charity, Article 25

The world’s biggest architectural summit has teamed up with a leading UK architectural charity for those in greatest need worldwide.

The World Architecture Festival (WAF), to be held in Barcelona this November, has joined forces with UK humanitarian architecture charity, Article 25, to raise funds for building projects in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Visitors will be able to learn more about Article 25 and the work they do in the Festival’s thematic exhibition, ‘Less Does More’ and help raise funds for the charity through donations and purchasing raffle tickets for many prizes including original artworks, lithographs and photographs by famous architects and artists.

Article 25’s Chief Executive, Dr Victoria Harris, said, ‘We are delighted to be working with WAF to raise vital funds for some of our projects this year.  The provision of architectural responses to world crises is vital for sustainable development and reaching the Millennium Development Goals. For us, this is a significant partnership allowing us to raise awareness of our work and of architecture’s contribution to the global community.’

In 2008 alone, over 200 million people were affected by natural or man-made disasters¹.  The funds raised with WAF will contribute to the funding of a number of essential Article 25 projects working on disaster reconstruction as well as post conflict development. Projects include the development of child-friendly schools in eastern Sierra Leone, sports facilities in Lesotho and Ethiopia and an incredible undertaking working with the governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia to preserve a 75 hectare area of the remaining Gola Rainforest as a nature reserve.  This will necessitate the planning of a new village and reserve headquarters to serve the area. Dr Harris said, ‘The ethos of Article 25 is that there should never be a life or livelihood lost for the want of the built solution that will serve or preserve it. There should also not be a habitat destroyed or a sustainable solution unrealised. Architects are vital in contributing to world problems with built solutions”.

 “Working with architects worldwide and WAF allows us to continue this valuable work that will save and create livelihoods, safeguard precious natural resources and contribute significantly to the post conflict security of the people of Sierra Leone.”

Paul Finch, WAF programme director said, “We are delighted to be working with Article 25, a truly internationalist organisation doing great work for communities in trouble.  Its core belief that good architecture can and should improve and empower communities is one that we fully support, and we urge visitors to seek out Article 25 at WAF in November and donate generously either before or at the event.”

June 2009:

Article 25 WIN Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence

The Urban Land Institute has announced Article 25 as a winner of the 2009 ULI Annual International Awards for Excellence in the Asia Pacific Region, for our Seismically Resistant Sustainable Housing in post-earthquake North West Pakistan. 

The ULI awards recognise achievement in architectural and engineering projects that exhibit outstanding design, construction and value for money. Article 25’s project, completing nearly 100 new homes, was shortlisted for the final of the Asia Pacific region along with mixed-use regeneration initiatives in Beijing and Daegu, Korea, and Namba Parks - a 1.15 hectare park resting on an eight level retail development in Osaka, Japan. The 31st annual Award for Excellence was presented to Article 25 CEO Dr Victoria Harris at the Real Estate Investment World Gala Dinner in Singapore on 24th June. Dr. Harris commented: “We are very grateful to the ULI jury for their recognition of both Article 25 and of the power of architecture to change the lives of the people who need it most.”

Pakistan was devastated by the earthquake of 8th October 2005, during which about 73,000 people lost their lives. Another 3 million people were left homeless after the collapse of 6,000 dwellings. The rural regions of Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Jareed, North West Frontier Province, were particularly badly hit but remained isolated from many sources of aid, which are often targeted to more obvious urban centres. Following the initial devastation, homelessness and unemployment rose whilst the local economy struggled to recover. Article 25 partnered with local charity Muslim Aid, a charity with close links in the local communities, to rebuild homes in these regions.

You can read more about our work in Pakistan by visiting the project page.

March 2009:

Article 25 is the first ever charity to WIN Diploma of Special Recognition at MIPIM:

At the 2009 MIPIM Awards ceremony, Article 25 received a “Diploma of Special Recognition” for our innovative project designing and building Earthquake Proof Sustainable Housing in Pakistan. The judges were won over by the quality and the importance of the work Article 25 achieved in Pakistan.  At just 3 years old, Article 25 is one of the youngest ever organisations to win an honour at the MIPIM awards and is also the first ever charity.

Every year, the MIPIM awards recognise entrepreneurs who designed notable projects in various categories. “This project demonstrates how architecture adds value in every context and has the power to save and change lives”, said Article 25 Chair, Jack Pringle who collected the award, “Article 25 has always known that architecture can improve the future of communities and this project shows how important good building is not only in improving lives – but in saving lives.”

Show your support and help us continue this ground breaking work today!

_{^{Make regular donations or a one-off contribution...}}Thank you!

	Picture courtesy of the BBC

• ^{_{Prince Harry visits Article 25's LCCU, Lesotho}}

Whilst on a break from his work with the Army, Prince Harry visited Article 25’s project in Lesotho. Completed in April 2008, Article 25 collaborated with the Princes' Foundation, Sentebale, on providing a new home for the Lesotho Child Counselling Unit. To read more information about the project please visit LCCU, Lesotho or for the Prince’s visit go to  BBC News.