When he attended architecture school, Cameron Sinclair was led to believe that the purpose of architecture was to create "little jewels". He states that this shows how architecture has lost its way. Instead of creating community spaces, the ego of the architect is considered more important. However, he believes that if you can't provide shelter, you can't be an architect.
In his presentation, Sinclair first discusses the formation of Architecture for Humanity and how his experience in Kosovo underscores his feeling that design should be community-related. He also talks about his experiences in Africa, his work after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Sinclair emphasizes the importance of working with the community; stating that the results should be shaped by the stakeholders. His presentation includes audio from a video detailing an example from his work in Africa. In the end, he believes that you have to design like you give a damn.
This talk was from the Big Fixes session at Pop!Tech. The other speakers in this session were Neil Gershenfeld and Bunker Roy. The question and answer period can be heard at the end of Bunker Roy's talk.
Cameron Sinclair is the founder of Architecture for Humanity, a non-profit set up to seek and promote architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises. For the last 5 years his team has initiated and implemented a number of programs including housing ideas for returning refugees in Kosovo; mobile health clinics to combat HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa; mine clearance programs and playground building in the Balkans; and earthquake recovery assistance in Turkey and Iran. Currently the organization is running a project to build a soccer field / healthcare facility for young girls in Somkhele in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, tackling issues of homelessness and poverty in inner-city America and researching Rethinking Tent City, a project to create and encourage social and economic change in long-term refugee camps and large settlements through sustainable design interventions.
As a guest on BBC World Service, CNN International and National Public Radio he has spoken on topics ranging from sustainable development and how policy effects design to the global AIDS pandemic.
Cameron is also the co-founder and somewhat active member of the Uncoordinated Soccer League.
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