The Good Fight Continues

When Architecture for Humanity’s memorable compendium, Design Like You Give A Damn first found its way to bookshelves in 2006, its bombastic message about improving lives through the power of insightful solutions came as a call-to-arms for the many previously faceless participants and organisations behind the then-lesser-acknowledged domain of humanitarian design. If AFH’s first book was a whopping battle cry, exuberantly strewn with characteristic ‘dare to dream’ axioms, then the design non-profit’s freshly launched follow-up can be deemed a lucid rumination of past achievements and future objectives, taking a comparatively more sober look at the complex terrain of devising dignified building solutions for displaced and disadvantaged communities everywhere.

While the enthusiastic, ‘can-do’ tonality that incited the widespread appeal of the earlier volume, is still prevalent in this latter edition, particularly in candid essays by co-founders Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr, DLYGAD 2 noticeably exudes a more subdued, knowing vibe. But perhaps this also signifies AFH’s evolved maturity as an organisation. As with the first book, Sinclair and Stohr’s viewpoints play off one another perfectly, coupling pragmatic optimism with sanguine cynicism; their combined voices deliver different takes on the process of instigating sustainable, community-led developments on a tight budget to give us a broader sense of the story. Bountiful with smartly executed projects stripped of exterior pretensions, DLYGAD 2, foremost, gives raw, honest innovation its due while unrelentingly evoking AFH’s signature mantra: Follow your heart, break the rules and get it built.

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The Best of Design Like You Give A Damn 2

A breakthrough project by a Japanese architect-couple, the circular design of this educational facility encourages children to explore their environment by adding a dynamic new architectural dimension.

Anemphasis on art and culture enables communities to thrive better in destitute situations. Phenomenal self-initiated interventions by such as the large-scale photographic series, Faces of Favelas by French artist JR have become evocative reminders of community spirit from Brazil to Kenya.

Created by Norwegian architects as transitional shelters for Karen refugee orphans living along the Burma-Thai border, these butterfly houses are distinguished by a local bamboo-weaving technique.