January 2009

Dear Friends of Public Architecture:

As cataloged in a blog by our friends at the Taproot Foundation, 2008 was a breakthrough year for the greater pro bono movement. In the realm of pro bono design, Public Architecture saw tremendous growth in The 1% program, broad recognition of our various public-interest design initiatives, and signs that the AIA may even be awakening to the potential of pro bono. The past year also saw one of the sharpest economic declines in our nation's history; mass layoffs from small and large firms alike; and justifiable fears of a philanthropic decline in the nonprofit sector. Many are viewing this as a time for hunkering down, cost-cutting.

Public Architecture is taking a markedly different view of this uncertain period. We see it as a time of opportunity. During downturns, there is no less potential for innovative public-interest design than during the best of times, and arguably, it is during these challenging times when public-interest design is needed the most. For firms with the unexpected staff capacity that comes with project slowdowns, pro bono projects can be good for business and great for morale. Indeed, firm and nonprofit registrations with The 1% program remained strong in December--showing both high supply and great demand.

A January 3 article in The New York Times, titled "Design Loves a Depression," gives ample reason for hope and historical precedents to back it up. Among others, the article contains a quote from Public Architecture friend Reed Kroloff, Director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, who noted that we could be "standing on the brink of one of the most productive periods of design ever." We concur, and we remain confident that a year from now, we will look back proudly at the advances and unprecedented contributions of pro bono and public-interest design. Join us.

John Peterson
Founder & President

Contents:
1. Thank You to Our Supporters & Contributors
2. It Ain't Too Late to Give--Money or Materials
3. 11 Firms, 7 Nonprofits Join The 1% Program in December
4. Project Associate Applications Still Being Accepted & Reviewed
5. How to Begin a Socially Engaged Project, With or Without a Client
6. Humanscale Partnership & January Reception in New York

1. Thank You to Our Supporters & Contributors

So far--in response to our 2008 Year-end Appeal, the following individuals have made crucial donations to support the work of Public Architecture: Allison Williams & Walter Cohen; Andrea Harnett; Anne Fougeron on behalf of Fougeron Architecture; Anni Tilt & David Arkin; Bill Flynn; Cathy Simon; David Fong on behalf of Fong & Chan Architects; David Hecht; Doug Kelbaugh; J. Houston Gordon; James & Sue Stockard; Jane & Gary Bell on behalf of Presence of Heart; Jane Mathews on behalf of Mathews Architecture; Jennifer Carroll Wilson & Marcel Wilson on behalf of The David & Sylvia Weisz Family Fund; Jody McGuire & Aaron Amosson on behalf of Studio 8; Julie Eizenberg on behalf of Koning Eizenberg Architecture; Kenneth Schwartz; Larry Fried; Lisa Findley & Rod Henmi; Marc L'Italien on behalf of EHDD; Marcellina Ogbu; Marilyn Snyder; Mark Jensen on behalf ofJensen Architects; Mark Nelson; Michael Vanderbyl on behalf of Vanderbyl Design; Peter Opsahl on behalf of Peter A. Opsahl Structural Engineering; Peter Walker on behalf of Peter Walker & Partners; Phil Bernstein & Nancy Alexander; Prescott Reavis; Raphael Sperry; Raymond Lifchez; RK Stewart; Rob Forbes; Sam Davis; Shepard P. Pollack; Stephen Dalton on behalf of Stephen Dalton Architects; Steve Badanes; Steven Ehrlich on behalf of Steven Ehrlich Architects; Toshiko Mori; William Leddy on behalf of Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects. (Note: Partial list at time of publication.)

Various companies and other entities have also made or renewed substantial donations, contracts, or grants in recent weeks, including: Bovis Lend Lease, HKS, Perkins+Will, the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Green Building Council, and United Way of the Bay Area.

Thanks to these supporters as well as those that wish to remain anonymous for their crucial support of our mission and work.

2. It Ain't Too Late to Give--Money or Materials

It's never too late to make a donation to Public Architecture. Donations of any and every size are welcome, appreciated, and put to good use. Click here to read our 2008 Year-end Appeal. Donations can be made by check or online via credit card. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Public Architecture is also constantly in need of licensed software donations, including the Adobe Creative Suite programs for PC and Mac as well as Autocad and rendering programs. Select computer equipment is also needed as we seek to build out workstations for the influx of volunteers joining us on a part-time basis while in between jobs or looking for a change. Material donations receive tax-deductions based on fair market value of products.

Contact Mia Scharphie, Campaign & Operations Associate, by email at mia@publicarchitecture.org to make a donation or for more information on our material needs.

3. 11 Firms and 7 Nonprofits Join The 1% in December 2008

Public Architecture welcomed 11 firms and 7 nonprofits into The 1% program last month, closing 2008 with 440 firms and 212 nonprofit participants. Click here for a complete list of these new participants.

While the nonprofits that joined The 1% program in December were a diverse group, virtually all of these registrants provide direct services to populations that need it the most. Washington DC-based Miriam’s Kitchen provides meals and services to the homeless, while Respond Now provides assistance to the Chicago’s South Suburban poor.

In the current economic climate, many of these organizations will find their services increasingly called upon. Design professionals have a unique opportunity to make an impact on those who these nonprofits serve at a time when their involvement is needed the most.

Visit www.theonepercent.org for more information.

4. Project Associate Applications Still Being Accepted & Reviewed

Public Architecture’s search for a Project Associate to join our full-time staff of four continues. The Project Associate will assist with a range of Public Architecture projects, currently including work on major grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and United Way of the Bay Area. The Project Associate will also assist with the refinement of The 1% program matching system, which connects nonprofits seeking design assistance with firms willing to give of their time on a pro bono basis.

Candidates with a degree in architecture or urban design as well as 2-4 years of experience are invited to submit a letter of intent, resume, and work samples by email. The review process is ongoing, and the application processes will remain open until the position is filled.

Click here to download a PDF of the Project Association position description, also available through the Public Architecture website.

5. How to Begin a Socially Engaged Project, With or Without a Client

Previous Public Architecture newsletters and the October 2008 issue of Metropolis Magazine promoted an important new book called Expanding Architecture: Design as Activism (Metropolis Books, 2008) by Bryan Bell & Katie Wakeford of Design Corps. The book includes an essay by John Peterson, Founder & President of Public Architecture, which briefly outlines five ways that architects and designers can initiate public-interest projects. We thought these admittedly simple few points might be of particular interest to architects and designers who find themselves with a little extra time on their hands or a renewed desire to make the world a better place.

• Create a competition of one. Traditional competition structures can be used to facilitate an intrastaff exploration of social issues.
• Use your insight to start a dialogue. Developing and illustrating solutions to age-old social issues can be a powerful and rewarding experience.
• Partner with others. Use a pro bono project as an opportunity to collaborate with artists, community leaders, contractors, city agencies, and even firms that would normally be competitors.
• Adopt a nonprofit. You can be a great asset to an organization or a community group struggling with facility issues.
• Seek recognition for your cause. Editors and publishers are always on the lookout for public-interest stories, particularly those that include a graphic vision.

Click here to read the Metropolis Magazine interview with John Peterson. Expanding Architecture is available for $34.95 from Metropolis Books through Distributed Art Publishers. Click here for more information.

6. Humanscale Partnership & January Reception in New York

Starting this month, Public Architecture is delighted to launch a partnership and series of joint events with Humanscale--manufacturers of work environment products such as the acclaimed Freedom and Liberty chairs. The first event will be an entirely social one, a reception at the newly-renovated Humanscale corporate headquarters showroom in New York. The reception will unite design industry leaders from the New York area and recognize John Peterson and John Cary of Public Architecture. The reception will take place from 6-9pm on the evening of Friday, January 30, 2009, at 11 East 26th Street in New York, adjacent to Madison Square Park. RSVPs (including contact information) are requested at rsvp@publicarchitecture.org.

Starting next month, John Cary will also lead a series of seminars on pro bono design in select Humanscale showrooms, starting with Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Other presentations are planned thereafter. Each will be accompanied by a silent auction of Humanscale and other products to benefit Public Architecture. Additional information about each seminar will follow in our February 2009 newsletter.

Click here to visit the Public Architecture presentations page for general dates and locations.

Established in 2002, Public Architecture identifies and solves practical problems of human interaction in the built environment and acts as a catalyst for public discourse through education, advocacy, and the design of public spaces and amenities. Visit www.publicarchitecture.org for more information.