Design for Fragility: 13 Stories of Humanitarian Architects

The book "Design for Fragility" explores 13 design responses to civil conflict, (un)natural disasters, political instability, and poverty, highlighting the role of architects in rebuilding cities and landscapes. It examines the experiences and perceptions of fragility that shaped these projects, the specific typology of the projects, and the personal values that influenced the architects to work on humanitarian/community projects. The book is designed for architects, landscape architects, design educators, and humanitarian and development aid agencies involved in disaster mitigation and reconstruction strategies and projects.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The urgent need for architects to address the design and planning challenges of rebuilding cities and landscapes ravaged by civil conflict, (un)natural disasters, political instability, and poverty has reached a critical stage. With nearly 100 million people fleeing their homes and being displaced due to these crises, the demand for skilled professionals equipped to work alongside disaster and development experts in the reconstruction efforts remains inadequately met. Despite the immense human and physical toll these crises have taken, the number of architects, planners, and landscape architects trained to collaborate with disaster and development professionals in rebuilding communities after conflict, floods, fires, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis remains chronically low.

Design for Fragility: Expanding the Field of Humanitarian Architecture explores 13 innovative design responses to conflict and displacement across 11 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Iran, Pakistan, and the USA. This book also delves into the interconnected issue of systemic poverty that often lingers in regions affected by past colonial territories and eras, as many of the featured projects are located in these areas.

Following Charlesworth's Humanitarian Architecture: 15 Stories of Architects Working After Disasters (Routledge, 2014), which examined the role of architects in exercising spatial agency while designing shelter and settlement projects for communities after conflict and disaster, Design for Fragility takes a deeper dive into the role of spatial agency in architecture. By analyzing 13 built projects that address diverse conditions of fragility, from refugee housing in Uganda to an orphanage for teenage girls in Iran to a residential complex in the USA, the book sheds light on the critical contributions architects can make in rebuilding and revitalizing communities affected by crises.

One of the key themes explored in Design for Fragility is the importance of designing for resilience and adaptability. Architects are challenged to create buildings and spaces that can withstand the impacts of natural disasters, climate change, and social unrest while also providing a sense of security and stability for the communities they serve. This requires a holistic approach that considers not only the physical structure of the building but also its social, economic, and environmental context.

Another important aspect of Design for Fragility is the role of community engagement and participation in the design process. Architects must work closely with local communities to understand their needs, values, and cultural traditions and incorporate these elements into the design solutions. This not only ensures that the buildings are functional and meet the needs of the users but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the community.

Design for Fragility also highlights the importance of sustainable design practices in rebuilding communities. Architects are encouraged to incorporate eco-friendly materials, renewable energy sources, and water-saving technologies into their designs to reduce the environmental impact of reconstruction efforts and promote long-term sustainability.

In conclusion, Design for Fragility: Expanding the Field of Humanitarian Architecture is a valuable contribution to the field of humanitarian architecture. By exploring 13 innovative design responses to conflict and displacement across 11 countries, the book provides a roadmap for architects and designers to address the complex challenges of rebuilding communities affected by crises. Through the lens of spatial agency, resilience, adaptability, community engagement, and sustainable design, the book offers a vision for a more resilient and sustainable future for communities around the world.

Weight: 656g
Dimension: 189 x 247 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367555375