Cameron Sinclair, along with partner Kate Stohr, created Architecture for Humanity in 1999 as a way to help returning refugees rebuild war-torn Kosovo. Since then, their concept has grown into a global charitable organization, linking socially-committed architects with disaster-stricken communities that can’t otherwise afford the price of rebuilding.

Combining sustainable practices with innovative designs, Architecture for Humanity goes far beyond the conventional response of throwing together cheap, cookie-cutter designs. Instead, the designers actually embed themselves within the community—often for several months—as they learn firsthand about the needs and aesthetics of that particular group.

As Sinclair tells Simran Sethi, the importance of introducing these communities to sustainable practices is not only good for their environment it’s good for their pocketbooks, too:

“Greening is not a matter of the ‘cool trend,’ but creating sustainable solutions so people’s utility bills are manageable and it doesn’t bankrupt them.”

Whether it is building schools in Sri Lanka or homes in New Orleans, Sinclair finds that time and again even the hardest-hit communities are eager to embrace sustainable rebuilding.

“When it’s a beautiful building people maintain it longer, and it’s more sustainable than a cheap building that was thrown up in a hurry—the community doesn’t feel empowered to take care of that building.”

Although this service was intended to benefit disaster victims, Sinclair says he’s witnessed a definite reciprocation. “Every architect says they are paid tremendously in a deeper way; they say, ‘Thanks, you reminded me why I became an architect.’”

By Ranjit Arab