Built to Last

Building a home takes more than a simple set of tools. These organizations show what's possible when communities come together to raise their consciousness, their voices, and some well-designed buildings.

The Appropriate Development, Architecture & Planning Technologies (ADAPT) organization in Egypt is getting creative with its approach to housing. Rather than relying on expensive materials that are inappropriate for Egypt’s hot climate, ADAPT scans the construction site for durable materials to build affordable homes.

Stone, granite, and mud mixed with sand are just a few of the local solutions that eliminate transportation costs and make use of the local environment. ADAPT trains local youth to build housing and community centers using this unique model, and encourages them to adapt the sustainable practices within their own communities.

In the favelas of Brazil, Edgard Gouveia is giving residents a sense of ownership within their communities. Through the Elos Institute, Gouveia connects 60 architecture students with local residents to build projects chosen specifically by and for the community.

Traditionally, locals are excluded from the design and construction of government-sponsored housing projects and parks. As a result, residents feel disconnected from public spaces that weren’t created with their needs in mind. The Elos Institute gives residents the power to change their living conditions, and encourages a new generation of architects committed to urban development.