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Executive Director of Open Architecture Collaborative responds to lawsuit against Architecture for Humanity

2016-07-22T18:04:00-04:00

Whatever the outcome, we will learn from their actions. I am confident that those who committed wrongdoing will be held accountable, and that any malfeasance will come to light. I am also confident that the final story will adequately celebrate all the good that AFH did.

Garrett Jacobs, executive director of the Open Architecture Collaborative, responded to the $3M lawsuit against AFH via a statement on medium, taking care to make clear as crystal the fact that while OAC grew out of AFH, it is "unequivocally an independent organization, a California LLC and Public Benefactor Corporation, and is pursuing our own 501(c)3 federal nonprofit status." As such, OAC won't be affected by the lawsuit.

After AFH shuttered and announced bankruptcy in early 2015, many volunteers felt as if the rug had been pulled underneath them, unsure of what led to such an end. About a year later, the OAC was founded on the basis of the strong community of volunteers who hoped to continue AFH's mission. While the lawsuit may not affect the OAC structurally or its members directly, it could certainly change the way the volunteers regard AFH—potentially compromising its much-lauded reputation as a non-profit focused on humanitarian design.

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Open Architecture Collaborative asks "How do you open architecture?" in new social media campaign

2016-06-23T13:29:00-04:00

The Open Architecture Collaborative, the offshoot from the now-defunct Architecture for Humanity, launched its #iOpenArchitecture social media campaign on Tuesday, aiming to expand the dialogue around design and architecture.

Participants (the campaign is directed towards "all members of the community") write down their answer to any of the three questions: "How do you open architecture? Why do you open architecture? Who do you open architecture for?", and take a photo of themselves displaying the sign with the hashtag #iOpenArchitecture.

OAC explains the initiative as:

To open architecture is to agree that the design of spaces is more than just a technical trade, or the construction of a pretty building. It's a process that grants access to architecture for everyone. [...]

In what way do you, or can you, open architecture with your community? We’re asking you to take to social media to share your ideas with the world. Together we can introduce the power of design to those who aren...

Introducing Open Architecture Collaborative, the rebranded offshoot of Architecture for Humanity affiliates

2016-03-10T06:00:00-05:00

After Architecture for Humanity closed in 2015, affiliate Chapter Network took its place, appointing Garrett Jacobs as its leader (with whom Archinect had the opportunity to speak with on its podcast). Now, the Chapter Network organization is formally rebranding itself as the Open Architecture Collaborative (OAC), and after they formalize their bylaws, they will apply to become a 501(c)3 organization. The OAC's twin goals are to help younger design professionals get field experience while also providing greater access to design services for marginalized communities.

In a press release, Jacobs said that “The OAC’s launch shows that our process works. This past year we turned participatory design on ourselves to create this organization. There are hundreds of people who experienced this process and now feel an incredible sense of ownership over this name and this brand. Imagine what our places would be like if everyone felt as proud in their creation and change. We are working to ma...