Architecture for Humanity Design Charette

Architecture for Humanity Design Charette
Location: AFH-SF Headquarters
Date: March 18, 2009

1. Mission Statement: Purpose
Architecture for Humanity San Francisco is a platform for multi-disciplinary professionals to promote awareness of and find solutions for vital issues facing communities in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area region. We practice design activism, by working collaboratively with local communities, non-profits, businesses, and government to provide strategies and solutions for the built environment that become assets for the general public.

Principles & Values
We believe that good design solutions empowers communities and raises the quality of life, regardless of age, race, sex, or economic status. We encourage site and community based development, and utilize appropriate design principles and technologies that engage the local climate, culture, economics, and priorities.

2. New AfH Projects

Rebuilding Together Oakland
Lead: Michael Huang [michael.huang@huanmic.com]
Dates: April 11th, April 18th , April 25th
Locations: TBD - Oakland
Join hundreds of other volunteers who come together to restore homes and community facilities of your low-income neighbors. Home repairs focuse on safety, comfort and independence, and include carpentry, flooring, plumbing, electrical, plastering, painting


Open Architecture Challenge
Lead: Michael Jones [jonesarch@gmail.com]
Registration Deadline: May 4, 2009
Submission Deadline: June 1, 2009
Educating all children worldwide will require the construction of 10 million new classrooms in more than 100 countries by 2015. We are inviting you, teachers, students, architects and designers, to work together to design the classroom of the future for a school of your choosing. Pick a group to work with and start brainstorming a new site.


Designers are encouraged to join Architecture for Humanity's OPEN ARCHITECTURE CHALLENGE. "Designing the classroom of the future."

If your design wins, your school will receive up to $50,000 in funding for classroom construction and upgrading. You will receive a grant of $5,000 to help them do it.

LINK:

http://www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/competitions/challenge/2009

Architecture for Humanity San Francisco Chapter meets every third Wednesday of the month!

Energy Symposium 2009

Energy Symposium at Columbia University
Date: March 27, 2009

The Energy Symposium's participants' consisted mostly of corporations & academics in the energy industry. Most of them were also currently taking their Master’s and PHD in SIPA, Columbia University.

I found it interesting that with environmental awareness at it’s peak, corporations have to cutback on investing on climate change initiatives (i.e. recycling) and debate taxing the emissions of carbon. Rightfully so, the introduction of additional taxes and increasing the budget for programs that don't necessarily have "financial gains" (i.e. recylcing again) in this economic situation is deemed questionable -- then again at the cost of what, the environment? I am not a connoisseur on both subjects, but I do believe that both actions are integral assets in mitigating climate change. Those were the two issues I wanted to stress on reflecting on.


More importantly, despite the challenges aforementioned, I truly believe that the development in the green agenda is positive, and it is exciting to be part of this venture.

Event: http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/ert/Symposium/

Discussion on the Challenges in the Philippine Green Agenda

Some of these questions may be similar, some may seem too complex. I know that there is at least one question that you can identify with. Please comment on the discussion. Would love to have your input.

1. What is the biggest sustainability challenge that the Philippines faces today?

2. What is the most integral part in the implementation of sustainable developments in Philippine’s green agenda?

3. How can we create an open-source model that focuses on sustainable developments that relates to a Filipino common man?

4. How can we push for stronger climate change policies in the Philippines?

5. How can we prepare the next generation of young advocates to develop green initiatives?

6. Where do you see the Philippines in 20 years? Are you optimistic about our future?



Link on the Philippine Green Building Council:

http://philgbc.org/

Tour de Cure 2009

Photo: Looking mighty fierce and strong enough to bike 10 more miles! (In my rental bike)
The Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising bicycling events across the country benefiting the American Diabetes Association. All money raised will go to support research, advocacy and education for diabetes.

I'm riding for my dad and my Lola (my grandmother). I certainly can't do justice for my namesake's accomplishments, or be half the person she is-- so much to live by! She has definitely been an inspiration to go on further!

The goal is to raise $500 for the cause. Tour de Cure is on June 14, 2009 in Silicon Valley, CA, I'd love to have a companion, so please let me know if you want to come TRY to do this with me! We can form a team and raise the funds together!

My gym who is helping train for Tour de Cure wants to give a free month at 24 Hour Fitness to anyone who wants to help the cause! Not only do you get to support the cause and your friend, but you also get the chance to have a healthier you-- no matter how small or large your donation is!

Love Always,

Esperanza

If you're willing to support the cause and myself as a "rider," please visit the website, "http://tour.diabetes.org", click on "DONATE" and "SPONSOR A RIDER"and search for "ESPERANZA GARCIA."

or you can click on this Link: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/esperanzagarcia

***LINK on Tour de Cure:

http://tour.diabetes.org

**LINK on Personal Tour de Cure page:

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/esperanzagarcia

Eco-friendly Kitchen

A kitchen designed by Esperanza Garcia for an apartment in a multi-unit housing in Santana Row.

RESOURCE & ENERGY CONSERVATION:

- Energy-Star rated appliances
- Design that promotes residents to recycle and compost
- Water-conserving features
- Innovative & Energy efficient lighting
- FSC certified wood

Cradle to Cradle on Einstein

If we are to solve the problem that plagues us, our thinking must evolve beyond the level we were using when we created those problems in the first place.

- Wiliam McDonough on Albert Einstein beliefs

Eco-friendly Children's Library

Eco-Friendly Children's Library designed by Esperanza Garcia for the San Francisco Public Library



A modern library designed for the San Francisco Public Library- Park Branch. With materials like cork-flooring, FSC-certified wood, organic fabric to enhance an healthy and safe environment for the children. The "tree" represents the "tree of knowledge." This playful design was inspired by children and the environment they play in.

3D Modeling software: 3D Max