Archinect - News

A public interest design fellowship for young designers has opened at the University of Detroit Mercy’s Detroit Collaborative Design Center

2023-07-26T13:27:00-04:00

Following last week’s look at an opening for a Designer at Boffi, we are using this week’s edition of our Job Highlights series to explore an opportunity on Archinect Jobs for a Public Interest Design (PID) Fellowship at the University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit Collaborative Design Center.

The 18-month fellowship, based in Detroit, calls for “young designers who are eager to gain experience in public interest design.” Among the responsibilities for the role are collaborating with the center’s wider team and partners on community engagement, design development, and project deliverables, as well as attending conferences and participating in training from senior mentors.

Why the role interests us

The fellowship at the Detroit Collaborative Design Center offers the opportunity to reflect on the many examples of community action undertaken by design entities tied to academic institutions...

Woven eucalyptus screens define BE_Design’s Komera Leadership Center in rural Rwanda

2023-07-13T12:36:00-04:00

New York / Kigali-based BE_Design has completed a facility in rural eastern Rwanda designed to provide health, education, and mentorship programs to young women. The Komera Leadership Center, which also serves family development initiatives and community gatherings, is described by the team as “a much-needed community and education hub for local residents.”

Image credit: Bruce Engel

At the heart of the building, a flexible space functions as a gathering hall or a series of classrooms depending on its configuration. Large, hinging translucent panels divide the space into three classrooms when closed, or a large meeting hall when opened at 90 degrees. When fully opened to 270 degrees the space can accommodate larger events such as performances and ceremonies.

Image credit: Bruce Engel

The material composition, formed primarily of woven eucalyptus screens and brick patterns, is inspired by the traditional “Imigono” art originating from th...

Kent State University seeks to bridge academia and practice by hiring a Director for Design Entrepreneurship and Inclusion

2022-09-15T08:53:00-04:00

Following last week’s look at an open opportunity for an Intermediate Designer for the National Medal of Honor Museum at Rafael Viñoly Architects, we are using this week’s edition of our Job Highlights series to explore a role for a Director of Design Entrepreneurship and Inclusion at Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC).

The role, situated in Cleveland, OH, asks for an individual with 6+ years of design experience to help conduct research, provide technical design assistance to communities, and support public education and design advocacy programs.

Kent State University student work by Peter Nogay

Why the role interests us

The role at the CUDC offers an insight into moves being made by academic institutions to extend their impact beyond campus design studios. Such efforts are often of benefit to students and the community alike, as we saw back in June when we reported on the University of Buffalo students who were constructing tiny homes to fight homel...

Empowering people with architecture: Victor Body-Lawson presented the Leader in Housing Award by the AIA New York Chapter

2021-06-28T13:12:00-04:00

Architect, educator, artist, and public housing advocate Victor Body-Lawson has spent much of his career working towards community-driven designs that focus on integrating design, arts, and architectural education for more equitable urban solutions. Body-Lawson's work spans New York, other neighboring cities along the East Coast, Cuba, and projects in West Africa. He advocates for equitable, urban residential projects and architects serving as their own real estate agents. His contributions to challenging public housing and propelling affordable housing initiatives have positioned him as a force in the industry. On Wednesday, June 24th, the AIA New York Chapter awarded Body-Lawson with the Leadership in Housing Award.

Home Street Residences by Body Lawson Associates

Born in Nigeria, Body-Lawson came to the United States for school and attended Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C where he pursued architecture. He received his M.Arch at Columbia University where he worke...

Michael Sorkin-designed project for Chicago nonprofit Blacks in Green plans to move ahead

2020-07-09T19:08:00-04:00

New York City-based Terreform and Chicago community development nonprofit Blacks in Green are planning to moving ahead with the BIG Green Homestead project, a development that will bring community-owned sustainable housing and commercial spaces to the city's South Side.

The project is led by Blacks in Green Founder and President Naomi Davis and its design, Energy News Network reports, was worked on by architect Michael Sorkin up until just before he passed away due to COVID-19 in late March. In addition to Sorkin, architect and School of the Art Institute of Chicago educator Ellen Grimes and WXY urban planner Tracy Sanders have also contributed to the project.

Rendering courtesy of Terreform.

The development seeks to instill a “sustainable-square-mile” infilled urban model for the West Woodlawn neighborhood, which is in proximity to the proposed Jackson Park site of the forthcoming Barack Obama Presidential Center designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA) and is faci...