In action>> Design Corps

Design Corps “shares a vision with many to help solve daily needs and crises of people through design.” Through the efforts and energy of design students and architectural interns, Byran Bell has created an organization that is aiming its efforts at rural and low-income communities in the United States, those typically cut-off from the services and benefits of a professional designer. [Design Corps is considered a cooperative program in association with AmeriCorps.]

Projects that have been generated by the group include self-help homes, community centers, migrant housing, and job-training centers through their fellowships, internships, and other part-time studios. Other efforts have brought forth the published book Good Deeds, Good Design: Community Service through Architecture from 2004. They have also begin an annual conference addressing their concerns, the Structures for Inclusion Conference, hosted this coming spring in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sources:

www.designcorps.org/Home.htm
www.designcorps.org/SFI_Conference.htm
www.metropolismag.com/sustainable/case/designcorps.html
www.inhabitat.com/2006/07/04/migrant-housing/

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