Design Like You Give a Damn [2]: Building Change from the Ground Up [Paperback]

Kate Stohr (Author), Cameron Sinclair (Author), Architecture for Humanity (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

Design Like You Give a Damn [2] is the indispensable handbook for anyone committed to building a more sustainable future. Following the success of their first book, Architecture for Humanity brings readers the next edition, with more than 100 projects from around the world. Packed with practical and ingenious design solutions, this book addresses the need for basic shelter, housing, education, health care, clean water, and renewable energy. One-on-one interviews and provocative case studies demonstrate how innovative design is reimagining community and uplifting lives. From building-material innovations such as smog-eating concrete to innovative public policy that is repainting Brazil's urban slums, Design Like You Give a Damn [2] serves as a how-to guide for anyone seeking to build change from the ground up.

Praise for Design Like You Give a Damn [2]:

"No community is immune to the forces of climate change. If we have learned anything from Hurricane Katrina, it is that we must adapt. Good design accelerates the adoption of new ideas-and this book shows us how."
Brad Pitt, Jolie-Pitt Foundation

"It is not just about putting bricks to mortar. It is about taking the vision of
creating a better world for others and making it tangible"
Auma Obama, Sauti Kuu Foundation

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The resourcefulness of the projects in the book is inspiring, its information practical (see Stohr's chapter on financing sustainable community development) and its numerous factoids sobering." - The New York Times Magazine

"Architecture With A Cause" - The Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design-services firm dedicated to building a more sustainable future using the power of design. Through a global network of building professionals, Architecture for Humanity brings design and construction services to communities in need. Proceeds from the sale of this book will support the work of Architecture for Humanity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; 1 edition (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810997029
• ISBN-13: 978-0810997028
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1.3 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Sustainability & Green Design
  • #6 in Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Criticism

More About the Author

Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder and 'chief eternal optimist' (CEO) for Architecture for Humanity, a charitable organization which builds architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises, and provides pro-bono design and construction services to communities in need. Over the past twelve years the organization has worked in forty four countries and has over seventy independent city-wide chapters. Projects range from schools, health clinics, affordable housing and long term sustainable reconstruction after disasters. As a strong believer in 'cultural diplomacy' Sinclair has been working on a series of projects to re-think cultural and civic institutions within the social fabric.

Sinclair and Architecture for Humanity co-founder Kate Stohr compiled the bestselling books Design Like You Give A Damn 1 and 2. As a frequent teacher and visiting professor is heavily involved in bringing socially relevant design into academia and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Westminster.

Sinclair is a recipient of the TED prize and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. In 2008 Sinclair and Stohr were named as recipients of the National Design Awards and the following year jointly awarded the Bicentenary Medal by the Royal Society of Arts for increasing people's resourcefulness. In 2011 Sinclair was made a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council and took an advisory role at USAID with a focus on reforming international aid.

Sinclair and Stohr launched the Open Architecture Network, the worlds' first open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. In 2011 this network merged with Worldchanging to become a central destination for collaborative solutions to change the world.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best damned book #2 May 14, 2012

By afterGLOW Design, LLC

Format:Paperback

This is a great second book that Architecture for Humanity has put out collecting and documenting a number of projects that focus on the other "99%" of the population that are not always catered to for architectural services. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in low income design or any other type of nontraditional practice. The articles are all written well and shown in a way to easily compare contrast. This is an amazing document/learning bible on socially responsible design. I highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book April 19, 2013

By Fe Marx

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is really inspiring. The work that architecture for humanity does is really amazing. We can learn a lot from what they are doing. The projects look simple and sustainable at the same time. Really good book.

5.0 out of 5 stars . February 9, 2013

By Jeremy Kaufman

Format:Paperback

I got this book from my In-law's for my Birthday, after wanting it for the last 2 Christmas. I was expecting a Great Book with a lot Amazing thought and Idea's And it is full of it! It met every Expectations I had for it, plus more! I highly Suggest that you get this book!

4.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring!!! February 8, 2013

By Arq. Gustavo Gonzalez

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great book if you are starting to get the feeling on do something great for the world, this is a good guide to understand what's going on out there, maybe if they included more details about the designs and projects all had enriched the experience of this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Design Book December 28, 2012

By Ann

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a gift for an architecture student. She was very excited to get this book that she will need next semester

5.0 out of 5 stars how architecture can make the world a better place - for 99 + 1 %. September 16, 2012

By Stefan Frischauf

Format:Paperback

Great and very well presented collection of projects, where architecture is needed - as refugee and post-disaster shelter or low income housing or as any kind of community program. The forewords and theoretical background informations in between and related to the different projects are quite accurate and focused on projects and their development. But - obstacles of every kind are as much shown as "amateur" and "professional" grassroot interventions with their fragile general approach.
A great handbook in finding good solutions on the ground - wherever needed.
And -a great and joyful read, giving many inspirations to people - professionals - architects, urban and community developers as much as amateurs - community members of any social and ethnic origin for how to improve living conditions for and with the 99+1 %.
At the end of the day - "Cities are People" - as Edward Glaeser - professor for Urban Economy at Harvard says in "Triumph of the City".
Whether it will become this "Triumph of the City" or - whether the planet will turn more and more into a "Planet of slums" - as Mike Davis, professor for Sociology and Creative Writing at UC Riverside says - that fits also into the palms of our hands.
And - as one of my favorite paintings from Paul Klee here is named - "Has Got Head, Hand, Foot and Heart".
And - houses - whole cities aren't just built from bricks, mortar - cement and sand - they are mostly built by hope.
In that sense - this is a very optimistic and hopeful book - thanks to "Architecture for Humanity" and their founders - the whole teams there for that.

0 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brand New Condition, Fast, and Cheaper than Bookstore July 31, 2012

By KK

Format:Paperback

I got my list of books I needed for the upcoming semester and wondered how I could pay for all of it. This book cost much less than I could find it elsewhere for, even though it is used, I can't tell. It said it was in like new condition and it is. I have not used the book yet, but the book was in the exact condition the seller said it was, very reliable, and came quickly.