Inspired by recent conversations concerning architecture's engagement in social and humanitarian issues, as well as "Reporting from the Front", Alejandro Aravena's theme for this year's Venice Architecture Biennale, Archinect is adopting the special editorial theme of "Help" for the month of May. The theme will focus on how architects and designers are helping imagine and build a more equitable society.

"More and more people in the planet are in search for a decent place to live and the conditions to achieve it are becoming tougher and tougher by the hour," Aravena states in his introduction of the Biennale's theme. "Any attempt to go beyond business as usual encounters huge resistance in the inertia of reality and any effort to tackle relevant issues has to overcome the increasing complexity of the world." 

The world of humanitarian work is complex and fraught, and architecture has no easy answers. But, at the very least, the profession has a unique vantage point to help create environments for equitable societies to flourish.

The Call for Submissions to "Help" is open immediately. We're accepting both editorial and project submissions. Details below:

》Editorial Submissions

Successfully navigating the world of humanitarian design takes more than optimism and good intentions. Whether it’s a pro bono disaster relief project or grant-funded design of social welfare institutions, doing good work for the public good is never cleanly cut out. We want to hear your accounts of the difficulties, conflicts and lessoned learned from doing work in humanitarian or social-welfare arenas.

》Project Submissions

Any kind of architecture, no matter how subtle or dramatic of an impression it makes on the built environment, can serve to improve the lives of the disadvantaged. We’re looking to showcase projects that attempt to “balance the scales” and create a more equitable society for all, working for (and with) those in need of help. Projects should ideally be built, but speculative work will still be accepted for review.

The deadline for submitting is Sunday, May 22 at 11:59 pm (PST).

For more information, and to submit, fill out this form.

Still have questions? Ask Amelia.