Design Opportunities
Please see below for a listing of current opportunities to provide pro bono design services, including current design fellowships.
Current Opportunities
Architecture for Humanity does not currently have any open opportunities. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive future updates.
Past Opportunities
Local Architect and Surveyor: Technology Center, Kenya
Type: Local Architect and Quantity Surveyor
Locations: Nairobi, Kenya
Architecture for Humanity is seeking a licensed site architect and a quantity surveyor, both based in or near Nairobi to assist with the construction document and administration of an innovative technology and media lab. The facility will serve youth in a community of several hundred thousand by allowing the partnering NGO, SIDAREC to simultaneously serve as a library, a computer lab for after school activities, computer training facility, radio recording studio, internet café, and printing business.
The site architect will work closely with design architects, community-based client, and technology partner from to develop the design to full construction document set and obtain local building permits.
The surveyor will be a licensed professional based in or near Nairobi to assist with evaluation of site conditions, including soils and environmental impact, utilities and infrastructure.
Design Fellow, South Africa/Collègue de design, Afrique Du Sud
Type: Design Fellow
Locations: Paarl, South Africa
Architecture for Humanity is seeking design fellow to work in Paarl, South Africa to work on a series of community facilities throughout the continent.
This is a great opportunity for an emerging designer to gain real-world experience working one-on-one with a community partners and international architects on projects with international exposure. Architects fluent in French especially needed. See below for French description.
Responsibilities:
The Design Fellow will 1) engage the community, funding partners and clients at all stages of the design process 2) help produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities 3) provide some construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors and 5) make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Commitment:
The design fellow will live and work in Paarl, South Africa for minimum of 6 months. Travel within Africa is expected.
Start Date: October/February 2008
Interested? Please send your resume, including references, and digital work samples to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org
Type: Collègue de design,
Location: Paarl, Afrique Du Sud
“Architecture for Humanity” (l’Architecture pour l’Humanité) recherche des designeurs pour travailler à Paarl, en Afrique du Sud, afin de réaliser des séries d’installations de communautés à travers le continent Africain.
C’est une excellente opportunité pour un emergeant designeur afin d’aquérir une experience dans le monde profféssionelle en travaillant individuellement avec des partenaires de la communauté et des architects internationaux sur des projets avec une exposition internationale. Les architects doivent avoir l’abilité de parler francais couramment.
Responsabilités:
Le designeur devra 1) engager la communauté, les partenaires investisseurs et les clients, à tout instant pendant le processus de conception 2) aider à produire des documents de construction ainsi que des permis etablies afin de proposer les differentes installations 3) surveiller le site de construction ainsi que gérer le processus d’appel d’offres et superviser le travail des contractants et des sous contractants 4) fournir des rapports réguliers aux clients, partenaires et investisseurs sur le progrès du projet comme exigé.
Engagement:
Le designeur doit vivre et travailler à Paarl, Afrique du Sud, pour un minimum de six mois. Des voyages dans le continent afriquain sont prévus.
Date de commencement: Octobre/Février 2008
Intéressé? S’il vous plait envoyer votre résumé, avec des réferences, ainsi que des examplaires de vos propres projets à jobs@architectureforhumanity.org
Project Architect: UNICEF Child Friendly Schools
Type: 2 Design Fellowships
Locations: various locations in West Africa
Architecture for Humanity in partnership with UNICEF is seeking a project architect to assist in the design and construction of an innovative school program in post-conflict border areas of Western Africa. The program will involve building two prototype facilities, a primary school and a secondary school, in each location that incorporate the guidelines of UNICEF's Child Friendly School approach. Each school will include innovative learning environments, but will incorporate alternative energy sources, water reclamation, basic services play spaces, and will serve as a model for sustainable development in the region.
The goal: to support peace building by designing world class schools that inspire a love of learning and create a sense of harmony between the school, the surrounding community and the environment. If successful, the program will be expanded to include similar schools in the border regions of Western Africa benefiting thousands of students
and teachers.
Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will participate in Architecture for Humanity's Design Fellowship Program, and will live on site and work in close partnership with the UNICEF field office. They will be tasked with assisting UNICEF in balancing the climate, culture, social and environmental context with construction realities and cost to create an innovative, and sustainable approach to school building in the region.
Responsibilities to include:
- Working with students, faculty and UNICEF partners to adapt the design brief of the Child Friendly Schools program to the local context.
- Site selection and feasibility assessment.
- Precedent research and cost estimating.
- Facilitation of a community-based design process, including student engagement.
- Developing the final design from site plan to construction documentation.
- Overseeing the tender phase and/or engaging local labor pools.
- Providing daily construction supervision and monitoring.
- Hand off and maintenance planning and training.
Requirements:
- The ideal candidate will have 5-years design and project management experience. Mid-career professional is ideal.
- Experience designing education facilities internationally, in partnership with educational ministries, school boards and other constituents.
- Experiencing designing/specifying solar PV systems and other alternative energy sources.
- Strong background in construction administration.
- Ability to inspire others and to be inspired in challenging work environments.
- Licensure is preferred, but not required.
Commitment:
The Project Architect will live and work on site for a 1-year commitment.
Start Date: Sept/Oct 2008
Compensation:
The selected candidate will receive a fellowship stipend to cover living costs, travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. Travel insurance provided as well as housing, transportation near the site in partnership with UNICEF.
Interested? Please send your resume, including references, and digital work samples to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org
Structural Engineer: UNICEF Child Friendly Schools
Type: 2 Design Fellowships
Locations: various locations in West Africa
Architecture for Humanity in partnership with UNICEF is seeking a civil engineer to assist in the design and construction of an innovative school program in post-conflict border areas of Western Africa. The program will involve building two prototype facilities, a primary school and a secondary school, in each location that incorporate the guidelines of UNICEF's Child Friendly School approach. Each school will include innovative learning environments, but will incorporate alternative energy sources, water reclamation, basic services play spaces, and will serve as a model for sustainable development in the region.
The goal: to support peace building by designing world class schools that inspire a love of learning and create a sense of harmony between the school, the surrounding community and the environment. If successful, the program will be expanded to include similar schools in the border regions of Western Africa benefiting thousands of students and teachers.
Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will participate in Architecture for Humanity's Design Fellowship Program, and will live on site and work in close partnership with the UNICEF field office. They will be tasked with assisting UNICEF in balancing the climate, culture, social and environmental context with construction realities and cost to create an innovative, and sustainable approach to school building in the region.
Responsibilities to include:
- Working with students, faculty and UNICEF partners to develop
alternative energy resources appropriate to the local context and integrate basic services into the school campus. - Structural engineering of school buildings and auxiliary structures.
- Provide consultation regarding various civil engineering issues.
- Researching vendors and specifying sustainable materials – including pv panels.
- Work with local technical consultants.
- Precedent research and cost estimating.
- Ensuring design meets all applicable local requirements and building codes.
Requirements:
- BS in Civil Engineering.
- 5-years structural engineering experience.
- Demonstrated construction administration experience.
- General civil engineering experience a plus.
- Ability overcome obstacles in a challenging work environments.
Commitment:
The Engineer will live and work on site for a 1-year commitment.
Start Date: Sept/Oct 2008
Compensation:
The selected candidate will receive a fellowship stipend to cover living costs, travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. Travel insurance provided as well as housing, transportation near the site in partnership with UNICEF.
Interested? Please send your resume, including references, and digital work samples to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org
VOLUNTEER ON THE GULF COAST
Architecture for Humanity has opportunities for designers and others to volunteer in Mississippi. You'll get to work one-on-one with residents in helping them design, repair and reconstruct their homes. Participants can come down for as little as a couple of days or as long as several months.
DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION FELLOWSHIP IN UGANDA--FILLED
Architecture for Humanity and Nyaka AIDS Orphans Foundation are seeking a field architect to design, facilitate and construct a school in Uganda working with the clients and community. The Kutamba AIDS orphans' school will be based in the rural village of Nyakishenyi, Southwestern Uganda of Rukungiri District. They are seeking a sustainable school design and someone who can teach and supervise the building process so that locals can replicate the structure. The design and construction is being funded by Nyaka AIDS Orphans Foundation, a Uganda-based organization whose mission is to provide quality, free education and extracurricular activities, both formal and informal, to children who have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS as a means to counteract pervasive hunger, poverty and systemic deprivation.
The designer will live and work on site. This is a wonderful opportunity for an emerging designer to gain real-world field experience working one-on-one with a community partner on a project with international exposure. The designer will have hands-on experience in every aspect of the project from concept to construction. Be prepared to get dirty.
Responsibilities:
The field architect 1) engage the community/funders and clients at all stages of the design process 2) produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facility 3) provide construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors and 5) make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Commitment:
The field architect will live and work on site for 3-6 months with a minimum 3-month commitment.
Start Date: February 2008
Requirements:
- The ideal candidate will have five years design and construction management experience
- Hands-on construction skills and knowledge, including plumbing, electrical and carpentry experience is required
- Experience with straw-bale, earth building, Hydraform blocks, bricks and/or other sustainable building techniques is preferred
- Candidates who live and have worked in the Uganda or have an understanding of Swahili (I’m not sure Swahili is spoken in the village) will be given preference
- Social consciousness and respect for different cultures and traditions is essential
- Licensure is preferred, but not required
Compensation:
This is a volunteer position. Travel and accommodations will be provided.
Interested? Please send your resume, including references, and digital work samples to jobs@architectureforhumanity.org.
About Nyaka AIDS Foundation/Kutamba School:
Kutamba (Healer) School is the second school to be built as part of an ongoing project of Nyaka AIDS Foundation to address the plight of AIDS orphans. It will be modeled on the Nyaka School which was built in 2001, and provides free education,(including books, supplies, uniforms and two (2) meals a day), basic health care, social activities and support for the grandmothers and guardians who care for these orphans. The school was built at the grassroots level to strengthen social connections between the orphans and local families. The school will provide vocational training for the children who will not continue to secondary school and organize scholarships for those who will join secondary school.
For more information about Nyaka, go to: http://www.nyakaschool.org
About Architecture for Humanity:
To learn more about Architecture for Humanity, visit: www.architectureforhumanity.org
DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION FELLOWSHIP IN SOUTH AFRICA--FILLED
Architecture for Humanity and NextAid are seeking a project architect/site supervisor to support the design and construction of the Youth with a Vision Village, multi-unit complex in Dennilton, Limpoopo Province, South Africa. The construction is being funded by NextAid, a Los Angeles—based humanitarian organization dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for African children orphaned by AIDS.
The village is being built with an emphasis on natural building techniques and “green” practices. The sustainable village will serve as a multi-purpose center for the community to operate education and micro-businesses as well as housing for 50 children orphaned by AIDS and their caregivers. Currently under construction are offices, residences, water facilities, cooking and eating facilities and a performance space. Currently being designed are children’s residences, an economic/educational center, other auxiliary structures, gardens and sports fields.
Designers will live and work on site. This is a wonderful opportunity for an emerging designer to gain real-world field experience working one-on-one with a community partner on a project with international exposure. The designer will gain hands-on experience in every aspect of the project from concept to construction. Be prepared to get dirty.
Responsibilities:
The project architect will collaborate with an international team of architects, including lead Natural Builder and Architect, Joseph Kennedy, and with natural builders on the design and construction of the complex. The project architect will 1) will engage the community/funders and clients at all stages of the design process 2) design independently and in collaboration with remote design teams to complete the planned complex 3) work closely with a licensed site architect when required to produce construction documents and permit sets for the proposed facilities 4) provide construction oversight including managing bidding processes as necessary and overseeing work done by contractors and sub-contractors and 5) make timely reports to clients, partners and funders on the progress of the project as required.
Commitment:
The Project Architect will live and work on site for a 6 months to a year with a minimum 6-month commitment
Start Date: August 2007/September 2007
Requirements:
- The ideal candidate will have three years design and project management experience
- Hands-on construction skills and knowledge, including plumbing, electrical and carpentry experience is required.
- Experience with straw-bale, earth building, Hydraform blocks and/or other sustainable building techniques is preferred.
- Candidates who live and work in the Southern African region or have an understanding of Zulu/Sotho will be given preference.
- Social consciousness and respect for different cultures and traditions is essential.
- A license is preferred, but not required.
Compensation:
The selected candidate will receive a fellowship stipend to cover living costs, travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. Housing on-site is provided.
Interested? Please send your resume, including references, and digital work samples.
About Next Aid:
NextAid is a grassroots organization operating on an extremely limited budget. Ideally we are looking for individuals or a firm who would take the project on a pro-bono/volunteer basis, but we are open to negotiating for the right candidate. We offer a life-changing opportunity to help create a center that will support a wonderful and loving community currently suffering from the ravages of AIDS and poverty.
For more information about NextAid and to see photos of the construction progress go to: www.nextaid.org
About Architecture for Humanity:
To learn more about Architecture for Humanity, visit: www.architectureforhumanity.org
