Scott Brownrigg: 77 Endell Street, London

NEW Introductory Rate: £5

This CPD designed by Article 25 is an introduction to the challenges one may encounter when working in the field and how work in international development may differ from practice in the UK.

This course will help you understand how your professionals skills can help deliver projects for some of the most vulnerable communities on earth, in locations with very few resources.

This constitutes part of our Essentials of Humanitarian Architecture Series and can be taken as your first CPD or after stages 1 and 2.

Email Natalie Clerke on natalie-clerke@article-25.org to register your interest.

• Vernacular architecture: Article 25 and Palm-Leaf building The Generalist
• Housing law must protect vulnerable Article on the housing issues in Romania due to continuing economic challenges in the country
• Musevini angry over NGO report on land grabbing The International organizations Oxfam and Uganda Land Alliance are threatened with deregistration by the Ugandan gourvernment. The president Musevini has asked the two organisations to retract a recent report on government enforced evictions in the country
• Reducing Disaster Risks and Improving Responses in Europe and Central Asia New program developed by Habitat for Humanity to improve the housing needs of the population affected by natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies in Europe and Central Asia
• Can buildings be elegant and efficient? The Guardian
• Iraqi Mud architect wins prestigious sustainability award Iraqi architect Salma Samar Damluji has won the ‘Global Award for Sustainable Architecture’ for her mud-brick renovation work in Yemen

In Article 25 office, “Team Blue House” are raising money for our projects and to improve our understanding of the communities in which we work. Through our international projects Article 25 often meet people forced to live in poor shelter due to extreme poverty. Our experts design and help to construct sustainable buildings to improve the conditions of these communities. Robin Cross, Article 25’s CEO and Director of Projects, took part in the initiative and observes: “By experiencing a little of their greatest challenge we can raise money to help solve the problem”.

Sponsor Robin and Team Blue House here.

We were also being supported by our Chairman of Trustees Jack Pringle, past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Jack took part in the initiative as Article 25’s ambassador and we’re delighted that Jack is currently on the Live Below the Line UK leaderboard!

Sponsor Jack here.

In total, 31 people around the UK Lived Below the Line for Article 25, including Leanne Dodd, who is still going and is keeping us up to date on her challenge in her blog. The picture above shows her (impressive!) shopping for the five days. Anna Murray also took part last year; read about her experience here.

For shopping ideas and to see what we were eating, have a look at Article 25 breakfasts, meal plans 1 and 2 and main meal recipes from Live Below the Line. (Prices calculated based on Asda and Tesco products).

Contact information

Laura Holden, Senior Fundraising Officer, Article 25
+44 (0)20 7375 0144                     
+44 (0)7788 410 068                                        
laura-holden@article-25.org
www.article-25.org
 
Sifa Massamba, Press Officer, Article 25
+44 (0)20 7375 0144                                        
+44 (0)7788 410 068                                        
sifa-massamba@article-25.org
www.article-25.org

Having adopted Article 25 as their charity of the year, Scott Brownrigg is hosting the exhibition until 1st June at its Covent Garden head office. Showcasing Article 25’s current and future projects in countries including Haiti, Uganda and Afghanistan, the exhibition aims to further promote awareness of Article 25 amongst the construction and design industry, as well as raise public awareness of our work.

Darren Comber, Chief Executive at Scott Brownrigg said:

“Scott Brownrigg is committed to supporting future generations, not only those within the architectural industry but also in wider communities. The crucial work being carried out by Article 25 provides us with the opportunity to really make a difference for the future of those within some of the poorest countries on our planet. We are looking forward to supporting the charity in its endeavours”.

Exhibition details

27th April – 1st June 2012, 9.30 to 6pm

Scott Brownrigg, 77 Endell Street, London WC2H 9DZ

• World Malaria Day: why the need for overseas aid?  An article marking the World Malaria Day last week. The disease remain one of the major causes of death in the world affecting around 216 million people in the world, especially in Africa
• UN-Habitat inaugurates new homes for Pakistan flood victims UN-Habitat inaugurates thousands of new houses for the victims of floods in Pakistan. Around 18 million people were left homeless after the 2010 and 2011 floods.
• Solve water problems or forget growth, India told Reuters
• New learning tool to engage children in disaster preparedness New Report addressed to the children of the developing world on how to prepare and reduce risks when disasters affect their communities.
• Learning From the Urban Transitional Shelter Response in Haiti A Handbook presenting the Catholic Relief Service’s experience in planning and implementing urban transitional shelter response in Haiti. The document aims to help bring better responses to urban disasters in the future
• Sustainable architecture embraces rammed earth and rock formations The Guardian
• EU-China Partnership on sustainable urbanisation Today takes place the event of the EU-China Partnership on Sustainable Urbanisation. The meeting is intended to encourage China and Europe to build better cities in the future

John defined vernacular architecture as the architecture of the people, buildings that have been designed and built by communities, families and self-builders using traditional tools. Whilst pointing out that these are largely unrecognized architecturally he stated that the majority of the world live and work in such buildings compared to the small minority that inhabit buildings designed by architects.

The book comprises a fully illustrated guide to a selection of vernacular buildings from around the globe, looking in depth at everyday structures from each continent that have been constructed from whatever wood, grass, earth or stone that was to hand at the time of construction. Based on traditional principles, but highly relevant to modern environmental concerns, these buildings show the simple and satisfying ways in which humans have worked out how to live and live well, in harmony with their surroundings.

Using examples from his book he introduced the wealth of local structures worldwide, explored cultural approaches and highlighted the diversity of construction materials. He pointed out that these structures are highly practical, energy-efficient, and integrated with the landscape and concluded that they also carry many of the attributes that we are now seeking in green architecture as we struggle to adapt our built environment to the demands and concerns of the climate-change era.

Like in his book John ended with a comparison to modern vernacular architecture and the current revival of traditional skills. Highlighting the squatter cities of the world, where a vast number of incoming country people fabricate dwellings from scrap and waste materials which then go on to evolve overtime and become more substantial, he asserted this is the new vernacular architecture of our time.

John May is the author of sixteen other books, and he currently blogs at The Generalist.

We would like to thank him for the talk and Scott Brownrigg for hosting.

Both of the potential projects related to health. Morocco is not usually a country that Article 25 would work in, but despite a level of economic development, operational and delivery failings within the health service mean that some of the poorest in the country are unable to access an adequate level of health provision.

Robin visited Operation Smile’s operations in Casablanca and one of their missions in Tangiers. Operational Smile is an international organisation that helps treat facial deformities including cleft lip and palate. They would like to build a new facility in Oudja in the east of the country on the border with Algeria to reach rural populations in the area who cannot afford to travel to Casablanca. Operation Smile’s work is an exemplar of international cooperation and a targeted intervention, a cleft lip operation can take as little as 20 minutes, that has the ability to completely transform a person’s life. The centre in Oudja would provide a consultation service for surgery and other support services such as dentistry, orthodontics and counselling.

Jessica and Craig went to visit a rural community in the High Atlas Mountains who have identified a need for a health clinic. She was joined by representatives from the pharmaceutical company Shire to undertake a feasibility study for the clinic. The village, Tighza, is located 7km on unpaved roads from the nearest clinic which means that many of the community members do not travel when they have a health problem. Many of the buildings in the village are constructed from a combination of stone and rammed earth which is traditional in the region, and the proposed site for the clinic is located adjacent to the existing school building. Working with the community, the team identified a number of opportunities within the village to improve health education and opportunity.

This project also acted as a pilot programme for a new innovative way of bringing corporate donors learning and development opportunities through our projects. If you would like to know more about the Article 25 Academy or either of these projects please email Jessica-toale@article-25.org

We would like thank our hosts for the week Fouzia Mahmoudi from Operation Smile, Carolyn and Mohammed from Kasbah Oliver and Mohammed Nour from Inside Morocco.

Last year I took on the Live Below the Line challenge.  As you can see from my photo I tried to get some of my 5-a-day within the budget but failed quite miserably! Carbohydrates like pasta and rice, seemed the best way to ensure that I felt full after a meal. However, with limited ingredient options my meals became quite repetitive. I really missed fresh, and flavourful food throughout the five days and, to be honest, I was desperate for some chocolate and any drink other than water by the end of the week! 

Live Below the Line really made me realise how much a lack of food can affect you, and how it can contribute to a cycle of poverty. During Live Below the Line I was a postgraduate student in the midst of assignments, spending at least 10 hours a day in the library. It was clear that my restricted diet was leading to a lack of concentration, tiredness, and the odd headache. I wouldn’t have been able to carry out manual work or walk a long distance…the gym was certainly not an option! The tiny amount of money that 1.4 billion people live on contributes to and exacerbates the cycle of poverty which they are trapped in as they do not have the energy or finances to lift themselves out of this trap. It is important to remember that the £5 that you spend on food and drink during your Live Below the Line week would actually have to pay for accommodation, medicine, clothing and so on!

If you can I would really recommend joining up with your friends or housemates for Live Below the Line. If you put all of your money together you will be able to afford a larger variety of ingredients which will make a huge difference to your week. With the help of Article 25’s recipes I will be better prepared to take on the challenge this time around. I am looking forward to supporting such a great cause for a second year!

You can support Anna and the rest of  Team Blue House or learn more about how you can get involved here!