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Article 25
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Article 25 is a UK registered charity. They, as in Article 25, seek architectural solutions to global problems of poverty, insecurity and lack of opportunity. They build safe, sustainable, innovative structures in regions of the world where need is greatest, particularly after disaster. Article 25 provide technical, consultancy and practical construction services as a non-profit to non-profits, foundations, charities, NGOs and Aid agencies in the development sector. Article 25 work enables these organisations to achieve their goals in building and achieving their development outcomes. Mission Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood beyond his control.” It is from this provision that Article 25 (formerly known as Architects for Aid) take their name. Article 25 provide free or not-for-profit design and build services for charities, NGOs and aid agencies, wherever there is need in the world. They have a central, expert team collaborating with a network of built environment professionals such as architects, engineers, physicists, surveyors and project managers. Projects are undertaken for NGOs, aid agencies and local communities around the world. Article 25 are strong in innovation with their built projects which enable project budgets to go further without sacrificing quality. Their aim is to make budgets go far further and work harder. One example is their finding an alternative to using precious water in mud brick manufacture (see “Research”, below). This research project with Sheffield University published findings in 2007 on the successful use of human urine in making mud bricks, a life-saving and logical innovation using the binding qualities of urea as a cement substitute. Article 25 operates a community participation model that aims to foster community involvement in both the design and manufacture stages of the build. In this way, the skills, knowledge and experience they bring to a particular project last long after their involvement has finished. They also advocate that every build project can be an effective development project, enhancing communities and livelihoods as well as providing built solutions to global problems. Article 25 work is motivated to address not just the output of a project (the building) but the outcomes too (livelihoods, empowerment, poverty reduction, disaster risk reduction). Key motivators: * Shelter and construction are often not well addressed by NGOs. NGOs essential skills are in running their programmes of intervention (the “software”) but there may be insufficient shelter and buildings (i.e. “hardware”) to house their programmes. Schools and hospitals are key examples of where this need exists. Article 25 enable NGOs to take on construction work. * Adequate, dignified shelter is a basic human right for any human being. Shelter should not just be a short term reaction to a disaster but a long term opportunity to build back better. * Vulnerability inhibits an individual’s ability to create opportunity for him/herself. By providing better housing, buildings and shelter, Article 25 aim to give people a building block to change their lives for the better, for the long term * The Millennium Development Goals and effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) cannot be achieved without adequate investment in the built environment. The MDGs need schools to further education and hospitals to improve healthcare provision (Goals 2 and 6). Article 25 aim to provide key built solutions needed to alleviate extreme poverty and provide effective DRR. At a recent United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) conference, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Chair of the ISDR partnership John Holmes stressed that “at present the scope of activities to reduce disaster risks is often simply too small and suffers from limited institutional capacities, lack of skills and established tools and small budgets”. Concluding the summary he went on to say “We know how to move ahead. We can close the gaps and engage those who most need it; we can make our schools and hospitals safe, and we can help address the climate change issue … with strong advocacy and stronger commitment, greater public awareness and support, and appropriate funds, we can substantially reduce the losses from disasters as well as contributing to resilient social and economic development”. Article 25’s work in post-disaster and disaster-resistant construction is part of this global movement championed by the United Nations via the ISDR to reduce the effect of disasters and encourage development. Foundation While in Sri Lanka, architect Maxwell Hutchinson was caught up in the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. He saw first-hand the initial devastation. The immediate reaction ensured that international donations of food and medical equipment were delivered quickly. However, the international community became aware for the first time during the tsunami’s aftermath that the key need was in fact rebuilding the physical fabric - the built environment - for those who had been made homeless by the disaster. This was a large and expensive undertaking with a tough learning curve for the NGO sector who suffered from the lack of knowledge of construction. On his return to the UK, Maxwell set about talking to his friends and colleagues about how to establish an architectural charity to provide shelter and engage the skills of architects in disaster relief. Dr. Victoria Harris - a friend of Maxwell’s - took on the role establishing the organisation. Maxwell introduced her to his longstanding friend, the RIBA president-elect Jack Pringle, also a leading commercial architect. Jack Pringle donated office space from his practice in which Article 25 operated in its early days. The charity now has more than 20 permanent staff and volunteers with active projects worldwide. In three years the charity has grown rapidly, establishing a reputation for excellence in innovation, design and effective project management; to this extent, Article 25 have recently been awarded the Diploma of Special Recognition by MIPIM (2009) and the Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence, Asia Pacific (2009) for work after the Pakistan earthquake of 2005. Example Projects Pakistan Earthquake proof, sustainable housing built in North West Frontier Province and Azad Jamu & Kashmir with Muslim Aid following the 8th October 2005 earthquake. Despite being prone to earthquakes, homes in these regions are too often built - and rebuilt - quickly and cheaply and collapse trapping people inside. Article 25 designed and built 82 homes in the two regions relying on traditional timber and stone structures. All materials are available locally whilst the hands on building methods encourage the transfer of skills, knowledge and experience. Article 25’s innovation ensured that a new type of structural bar was used during the build. The financial savings from this advance allowed a series of retaining walls to be built which will protect people and their homes from landslides in the future. Lesotho Lesotho Child Counselling Unit (LCCU) for abused and maltreated children built with partner NGO Sentebale, a charity founded by Prince Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso. Article 25 designed, managed and constructed a protective environment for the care of vulnerable children. Article 25 came in at a stage when construction had been abandoned after serious faults were discovered in early stages of the build. Article 25 were able to maximise output from a very limited remaining budget. Workshops were carried out with children to create ‘litema’ tiles whilst the whole construction process was carried out in collaboration with, and teaching in, the architecture school of the Lerotholi Polytechnic. India Shanti Niketan Open Learning School for street children who are denied access to state education system. The building now houses the open school operated by El Shaddai Charitable Trust, a charity that runs homes, schools and counselling services for disadvantaged children. Article 25 designed and built an earthquake proof structure with many environmentally sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, passive ventilation, appropriate orientation, shading and passive solar design. Article 25’s involvement meant that the school was able to cater for four times the original estimate of children, on the same budget. Ghana Design and construction of a home for homeless children. Let Kids Smile, a Dutch NGO set up to run the Children’s Home, had been given one month to vacate a dilapidated building that was in fact too small to cater for the amount of children it housed. Land was bought and a new home constructed to and Article 25 design using local materials. The design succeeding in creating a protective environment for the children. Local workers and businesses were used wherever possible whilst the initial clearance of the site was helped by the volunteer work of 55 members of the local community. Outdoor spaces are used as farmland to generate income and teach the skills and responsibilities required to be a successful farmer to the children at a young age. Afghanistan Article 25 contributed in the restoration of historic medieval buildings in the heart of Kabul working with the Prince’s Trust Charity Turquoise Mountain. Article 25 worked with the local community to ensure the restoration was carried out in a culturally sensitive manner whilst employing local skilled tradesmen. Article 25 architects undertook measured survey and rigorous recording of the status and restoration recommendations for all the buildings TMF was aiming to begin restoration on. The restored buildings are now used as workshops and training schools where skilled craftsmen are trained and can pass on their knowledge to younger apprentices of the traditional techniques in wood carving, glass work and calligraphy amongst other skills. Ethiopia Sports facility working with Link Ethiopia for school children with accompanying education and hygiene programmes. Romania Documentation of vernacular architecture and promotion of sustainable development in order to retain the heritage of the local community. Article 25 worked hard to involve and consult the community and give them a greater voice in the process. Thailand Replacement of a bridge washed away during storms. The bridge was made of locally sourced bamboo and can be repaired or expanded easily. Working with bridge engineers from Buro Happold to complete construction in 2009. Lesotho Design and project management of a sports based HIV awareness centre in the capital, Maseru. Mozambique Crèche and child care centre designed for children who have lost parents to civil war, famine, floods, cholera outbreaks and the HIV pandemic all of which have been prevalent in the last 18 years in Mozambique. Article 25 worked with partner NGOs Meninos de Mocambique and Street Child Africa to produce a bigger, better, safer and stronger building that would not have been possible without Article 25’s involvement. Sierra Leone Work is ongoing on a prototype child-friendly school in union with Foster & Partners, Buro Happold and Save the Children. The civil war in Sierra Leone saw schools targeted by various factions resulting in the total desecration of the building stock. Article 25 and partners are designing a prototype school that can be built using local materials and labour and replicated cost-effectively throughout the country over the next 3-5 years. Research As part of Article 25’s commitment to innovative, sustainable design solutions, research is currently going on in fields including construction with bamboo, participatory design and human urine as a building material. This research is carried out in collaboration with universities, engineers and local communities. Article 25’s research into using bamboo as a building material took the form of a two day workshop bringing together experts in bamboo construction, professionals and students to experiment with the material. Article 25 currently have a project to build an 8m wide 80m long bridge in Thailand out of locally sourced bamboo in conjunction with US NGO Whispering Seed and engineering firm Buro Happold; the success of this project has reinforced the possibility of using bamboo widely in low-budget construction. Article 25 are keen to increase the original input into the design process from local communities, thereby equipping them with the skills to design and build long after the charity has ceased its operations in any given area. Article 25 have ensured that participation has been involved in all of their projects and continues to go from strength to strength in this aspect of their practice. In conjunction with Sheffield University Department of Architecture and Professor Jeremy Till, Article 25 are researching into the prospect of using human urine as a binding agent. The idea was born by CEO Victoria Harris following her attendance at a UNHABITAT conference discussing the problems of adequate shelter in the Darfur region of Sudan. Traditional earth bricks were not able to be used due to the lack of water available to bind them together into a permanent structure - any water available was required for short-term drinking. Dr Harris thought of using the water once the users had drunk it i.e. urine. Following extensive research by Professor Till and his team, urine was deemed to be an excellent binding agent, working better than water. Education Article 25 are actively encouraging young potential architects to improve their knowledge of the development sector. To this extent, student chapters of Article 25 currently exist at Manchester University, Nottingham University, Sheffield University and University College London. The university chapters act as a platform for disseminating information about the organisation and their projects, whilst encouraging students and part-qualified architects to discuss their ideas with the professional staff at Article 25. In addition, Article 25 have been awarded stewardship of the recently formed development page of the RIBA Knowledge Community. The community is designed to act as an online networking site for professionals, students and followers of the built environment can share experience, ideas and information on architecture and development. Finally Article 25 have introduced Continuing Professional Development programmes for professionals and students in the built environment to expand their knowledge and interest in development. Topics include; introduction to the humanitarian sector; building with bamboo; seismic resistant technologies; community action planning. Bear Directory Article 25 created and maintain the Built Environment Action Registry (BEAR). This is a network of volunteers from all aspects of the built environment who are prepared to give up their time and professional expertise to Article 25’s projects throughout the world. In this way, Article 25 can offer professional services to those who cannot normally afford them. This makes buildings bigger, better, more sustainable and safer throughout the world. Trustees * Robin Cross; Director of Projects * Dr Victoria Harris; co-founder and Chief Executive Officer * Lord Norman Foster; prolific architect specialising in landmark, green developments, founder and Chairman of Foster & Partners * Dr Joe Giordano; Director and co-founder of Devsol Consulting, joint owner of equityinterchange.com, co-founder Bluegate Capital, chartered Quantity Surveyor, property developer * Maxwell Hutchinson; co-founder of Article 25, broadcaster, architect, past president of Royal Institute of British Architects * Jack Pringle; Chair of Article 25, managing partner of Pringle Brandon, past president of Royal Institute of British Architects * Stewart McColl; architect, founder of Robinson McColl, founder, former Deputy Chairman and former Chief Executive of SMC Group * Peter Murray; founder of the London Architectural Biennale (now known as the London Festival of Architecture), Chairman of Wordsearch, Exhibition Director of the New London Architecture Gallery, former Editor of Building Design, former Editor of RIBA Journal, publisher of Blueprint Magazine, secretary of the Architecture Club, secretary Bedford Park Society, founder and organiser of Cycle2Cannes * Sunand Prasad; current President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, managing partner of Penoyre and Prasad Key Staff * Dr. Victoria Harris co-founded Article 25 in June 2005 (originally known as Architects for Aid) and has been the driving force behind the charity's growth and strategy. She is the public face of the charity and is responsible for its business development through her position as Chief Executive Officer. * Robin Cross joined Article 25 as Director of Projects in May 2008. He is responsible for leading a highly motivated team of talented design professionals, managing client relationships and fronting A25’s field operations. Fundraising Article 25 are involved in a wide range of fundraising initiatives. In addition to kind donations from individuals and corporations, Article 25 organise host the annual Royal Institute of British Architects’ dinner attended by architectural heavyweights and industry experts. Further fundraising events include: * The Royal Parks Half Marathon; 13.1 miles “through London’s glorious Royal Parks” in the October sunshine * Build Moore; London to Paris cycling challenge over 3 days in conjunction with Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research * Art for Architecture - the Trustees of Article 25 have approached 100 eminent artists of the time to donate work for an auction in December 2009 with the proceeds going to the charity * Cycle to Cannes - annual cycle to the MIPIM property conference from London each year at the beginning of March. Additionally Article 25 has been funded by generous donations from: * 3DReid Architecture * A25 University Chapter fundraising events * Allford Hall Monahan Morris * Annenberg Foundation * Assael Architecture * Barrett Haskins * Bennetts Associates * Connection * Constance Foundation * Deltek * DLA Piper Charitable Trust * Donald Insall * Evan And Cornish Foundation * Foster & Partners, Lord and Lady Foster Foundation * Garland Group * Grimshaw Architects * Individual challenge events * Kingspan * Lifshutz Davison Sandiland * John O’Niel and Partners * Michaelis Boyd * Nicholas Hare Architects * Pavehall Associates * Pringle Brandon * Sainsbury family Charitable Trusts * SAS International * SIV Recruitment * Stanton Williams * Tower Surveys * TTSP Architects * Wilkinson Eyre See Also
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