This presentation is an introduction to the Open Architecture Collaborative and some of the work our local chapters accomplish.

1. Social Design for Social Justice
Creating a new Demand for Architecture
Garrett Jacobs
@garrjacobs

3. When you let people participate in the design process,
you find that they often have ingenious ideas about what
would really help them. And it’s not a one time thing; it’s
an iterative process.
- Melinda Gates
“

4. The Open Architecture Collaborative is a global
learning network to mobilize architects and
designers for greater community impact.

5. There are fast disasters and slow disasters.
We work on the slow ones.

7. Core Values
Operate in the Open
Ensure Everyone Can Participate
Establish Trust

8. We’ve got skills, knowledge,
and connections that can build capacity.
We need to start by redefining
our services, and refining our skills.

9. Pro-Bono
Project Based
Non-Profit has funding
Contact through connections
Firm Compensates Time
Using Traditional Skills
Helps a relatively well
resourced group
Pro-Bono vs
Proactive Community Practice
Proactive Practice
Process Based
Partners need funding
Contact through outreach
Possible Other Funding Sources
Learning New Skills
Builds new capacity for
marginalized community

12. Lessons Learned from Engagements
Takes serious amount of time
People want a long term relationship - not a one night stand
We’re shifting power, not only resources
We are democratizing process - even design
Showcase the intangibles - it’s not sexy

13. Case Studies
Taller Del Habitat - Bogotá, Colombia
Save Altgelt Coalition - Chicago, IL
Design for Children - Washington D.C.
Design Dash - Oakland, CA

14. Taller Del Habitat
Bogotá, Colombia
Chapter Director: Ricardo Daza

16. Business Structure
Producer Seller Resellerssssss ClientMaterial
Architectural
Office
Team Leader Designer PlansDesign
Bank Analyst Broker CreditFinancing
Legal Firm Government Lawyer DeedTenure
NotAffordableAffordable

17. Business Structure
Producer Seller Resellers ClientMaterial
Architectural
Office
Team Leader Designer PlansDesign
Bank Analyst Broker CreditFinancing
Legal Firm Government Lawyer DeedTenure
Taller Del Habitat Bundles these Services

20. Save Altgeld Gardens Coalition
Chicago, IL
Open Architecture Chicago in partnership with the People for Community Recovery

31. Design for Children
Washington D.C.
Open Architecture D.C.

32. Conduct Research Reach Out Analyze

37. Design Dash
Oakland, CA
OAC, EBALDC, SPARC

39. Project Sites

40. Contributes
Project Seed Funds
Staff time for program creation
Receives
Marketing for fundraising
Community support for projects
Provides meeting space
Local leader recruitment & vetting
Support for local initiatives
Institutional backing
Designer recruitment
Program management
Fee for services
Experience producing
programming / reputation
Partnerships
Community Development
Corporation
Local Community Action
Group/Association
Subject Matter Expert
Intermediary

41. Designer Trainings - Learning new community skills

42. Popup Library
Pedestrian Safety Campaign
Senior Pride Installation
Food Justice Mural
Anti-Graffiti Mural
Youth Empowerment Mural

50. It’s really amazing seeing people working to
change their own situations.
- Yuko Okamura
“

51. Proactive Engaged Design
Learning Modules
Unconscious
Bias & Power
Privilege
Reflection
Active Listening
Implicit/Explicit
Comms.
Community
management
Engagement
Tactics
Building
Empathy
Effective
Partnerships
Facilitation
Building
Capacity
Fundraising Storytelling
Social Action
Research
Legal &
Insurance
Effective
Placemaking
Measuring
Impact
Personal
Reflection
Collective
Action

52. OAC Strategy
Professional Firms
● Offer Designer Trainings
● Provide Service Opportunities
● Help Create Leaders
● Resource Platform Access
Anchor Community Orgs.
● Develop Partnerships
● Run Placemaking Programs
● Build Capacity
● Tell Stories, Measure Impact
OAC Chapter

53. Thank You!
Garrett Jacobs
@garrjacobs