Habitat for Humanity is starting to look for architects and engineers with relevant skills to start organizing for the next phase of the recovery process in Haiti. You can find and share information about this opportunity at: http://www.habitat.org/ivp/apply_now.aspx

Details:
When: Tuesday, February 2nd at 4pm
Where: AIA Seattle, 1911 1st Ave. phone: 206.448.4938
For more information click here.

AWB is actively engaging in discussions to identify opportunities to assist in a coordinated disaster recovery effort. We will post updates to the website as more information becomes available – www.awb-seattle.org.

While AWB-Seattle is not a first responder in the event of disaster, instead focussing our work on long term recovery efforts, we hope to support those now involved in the response effort.  At this point, cash donations are the most effective way to do this and we hope you will consider making a contribution.

Below is a list of organizations you can contribute to:

• Habitat for Humanity
• Architecture for Humanity
• The American Red Cross
• UNICEF
• World Vision
• Oxfam
• Doctors Without Borders
• Mercy Corps

For updated information on the situation and additional information on how you can help you can check the following websites:

The Whitehouse

USAID

Earthquake Haiti Facebook page

In coming weeks AWB-Seattle will be organizing an effort to help Haiti rebuild and recover from this catastrophe. We will keep you posted as we progress. Please check for updates on our website.

Thanks,

Ben Spencer
President
Architects w/o Borders-Seattle

Hurricane Katrina remains the single most destructive impact on our country’s cultural heritage since the Civil War.

As preservationists, we share a common love for the built environment and for all the rich and diverse cultural heritage stories that go along with it. Many of us have been involved in battles to save a piece of architectural heritage that we personally hold dear; most of us have also felt the painful sting of battles that have been lost.

Over the last few years, I have taken a group of preservation-minded volunteers to work in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans with the goal of helping that community preserve, protect, and reuse the thousands of homes that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Now, over four years later, the immense needs of that community remain. I have personally witnessed a slow rebirth of one of the toughest areas in America (the city’s Holy Cross neighborhood), and all of those who have traveled with me previously to New Orleans have a lot to be proud of. We’ve experienced firsthand the power of community to overcome overwhelming odds. We’ve witnessed the grace of a devastated community and their determination to move forward. We’ve also all been touched by the outpouring of gratitude from everyone in New Orleans – not just those directly impacted by the disaster.

Hurricane Katrina remains the single most destructive impact on our country’s cultural heritage since the Civil War. While it’s easy to ignore the work that needs to be done when the story is no longer on the front page, it doesn’t relieve any of us of our obligation to assist in rebuilding that city.

Our group of volunteers from September 2009.

The rebuilding of the Lower Ninth Ward remains an opportunity that you can participate in. I will again lead a team of volunteers down to New Orleans to work on three houses in the Holy Cross neighborhood, this year between April 5th and April 9th. We welcome all talented people to join us, from those who have strong carpentry skills to those who can push a broom, deconstruct, or paint. Everyone is welcome and needed.

While the costs of travel and accommodations are borne by each volunteer, we can assist in finding inexpensive lodging and/or potential roommates.

As all who have gone before will attest, it is a rewarding experience that will stay with you throughout the remainder of your life.

For more information, please contact me at kevin.daniels@nsco.com. Also, click here to learn more about the National Trust’s ongoing Gulf Coast recovery efforts.

Kevin Daniels is a preservationist and developer in Seattle, Washington. He currently serves on the National Trust’s Board of Trustees as vice chair of the Preservation Committee.

Volunteer Architect, Liberia

Overview:

Following 14 years of civil war (1989-2003), Liberia’s healthcare system was devastated. Severe shortages of drugs, supplies, qualified clinicians and adequate facilities left most Liberians with little or no access to primary healthcare services. Under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2005), the health sector has made important strides including the completion of a National Health Policy and National Health Plan (2007-2011), which outlines the objectives, strategies and resources to reform the health sector to effectively deliver health and social welfare services to the people of Liberia. The operational and integrated framework for implementing the National Health Plan (NHP) is based on four key components:
(1) The Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS); (2)
Human Resources for Health;
(3) Infrastructure Development; and (4) Support Systems.

Key to implementing the NHP, Infrastructure Development’s goal is to increase geographic
access to the BPHS through the consolidation of services, major rehabilitation and construction.
Due to numerous challenges such as funding, management, limited materials, high costs, etc. the
Infrastructure Unit has had significant challenges in trying to meet this goal and more specifically
the PRS target of 205 rehabilitated facilities.
Since 2007, CHAI-Liberia has supported MOHSW in each of the four NHP components with a
strong focus on expanding access to quality HIV care and treatment services.

CHAI-Liberia seeks an experienced architect/construction manager with strong project
management experience to work with the MOHSW Infrastructure Unit to (1) develop office and planning systems to improve the Unit’s efficiency and efficacy within the Department of Planning, Research & Development/MOHSW and (2) creatively identify sustainable building solutions to quickly improve the infrastructure and utilities of Liberia’s Government health facilities.

Responsibilities:

• The TA will work out of the Infrastructure Unit Office and report to the CHAI Program Director for Health System Strengthening
• Strengthen/Develop office systems and the department’s operational process: Working closely with all members of the Infrastructure Unit, the TA will identify the current office systems, individual roles and project status. Using this assessment, the TA will mentor the department to develop and implement systems that best utilize individual skill sets and available resources in order to meet clearly defined large and small project targets.
• Mentor department on the creative use of architecture software and design to think about sustainable build solutions: Using architectural and engineering software, creative design and research, the TA will mentor the Unit to identify, plan and implement sustainable build, lighting and waste management solutions for clinics, health centers and hospitals and where applicable draft MOHSW policy (e.g., an energy policy for health facility builds).
• Strengthen planning to meet PRS and long-term goals: The TA will help the department identify, document and cost its current project implementation status. From which, the TA will work with the department to identify a detailed workplan to meet its targets for rehabilitation and new construction; forecast costs and work with the department to mobilize funding. Additionally, the TA will help the department to plan and operationalize ongoing small project and repair management (e.g., window replacement, air conditioner installation, roof repairs, etc).

Qualifications:

• Three to five years experience in office management including strategy, planning, forecasting, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated Project or Engineering Management experience from feasibility to completion/evaluation.
• Proficiency in CAD Architecture: Auto CAD, Revit, Data CAD, Home Pro Plan, Archi CAD
• Operation Systems: Mac and Windows OS
• Others: MSOffice (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Experience with the following is strongly preferred but not required:

• Health facility design, management & construction
• Construction and maintenance in constrained resource countries
• Renewable energy sources, waste management and sanitation
• Mobilizing donor funding

Given the damaging storms of 2007 and 2008 and the pending risk to the Howard Hansen Dam/ Green River valley this season, December couldn’t be a better time to arm yourself with building performance expertise. Pizza dinner, ATC-45 field manual, and continuing ed credits provided.

Monday December 7, 2009: 4-8pm
Downtown Seattle location to be determined
Instructor: Ed Huston

Register: http://www.aiaseattle.org/node/3640
General Public $60
AIA and SEAW members $45
Jobseekers and Students $30

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachel Minnery.

Click on invite for more info

ORA and HyBrid Architects have formed a team that will be working on a Habitat home in Pacific this Saturday September 26, so please consider either making a donation or joining us on site (8:30am-1:00pm), or better yet, both! If you want to participate this Saturday, please sign up on-line to join the ORA/HyBrid team, or email Owen Richards if you want to learn more.

To donate or join the ORA/HyBrid team, please go to: http://www.blueskycollaborative.com/hbat/participantpage.asp?fundid=94&uid=454&fkroledescid=1

If you prefer to write a check please make it payable to Habitat for Humanity and send it to ORA Architects, 1205 E Pike Street #2B Seattle, WA 98122.

Why is this so important? Because only 14% of King County housing is available to households earning below 50% of median income (HDC, 2006).This must change. You can lead the way by sponsoring my volunteer hours with the Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon!

If you have any questions or want to talk about participating please give Owen a call at 206 625 0941. If you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the Build-a-Thon please visit www.habitatbuildathon.org for more information.

Thanks for your support!