Architecture-in-Development

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Architecture-in-Development

Re-connecting sustainable development to architecture. We are a Dutch not-for-profit active in more than 80 countries.

We accelerate the development of inclusive and sustainable architectural projects worldwide by connecting self-build communities with our global network of 60,000+ architects, and the resources provided by our blue chip partners and sponsors. Our vision is a world in which architecture serves the needs of many — not just a privileged few

26/11/2025

In rural , people's homes and shelters are impacted by natural disasters every year. Marginalized communities are then forced to rebuild with whatever they have access to.
One project is asking the critical question: how can we provide better technical guidance for informal home construction?

Asociación Erentia responds to this challenge by working alongside local people to develop stronger and more resilient building strategies that mitigate dangers when the storms come.

As a finalist, the Asociación Erentia project, La Guasasa, is a powerful example of do-it-together development that asks:

💡 What can local communities teach us about disaster-resilient design?
💪 How do we incorporate regenerative materials to make structures stronger?

Check our website to see how the La Guasasa team is responding to these vital questions >> https://buff.ly/nPf1124

➡️ Follow along to learn more about the finalists!

(Spanish Version)
En la Cuba rural, las viviendas y refugios de las personas se ven afectadas por desastres naturales cada año, por lo que un proyecto plantea la pregunta clave: ¿cómo podemos mejorar la orientación técnica en la construcción informal de viviendas?

Cada vez que un fenómeno meteorológico extremo azota esta región, las comunidades marginadas se ven obligadas a reconstruir con los recursos que tienen a su alcance. La Asociación Erentia quiere cambiar esta situación trabajando junto con la población local para desarrollar estrategias de construcción más sólidas y resilientes que mitiguen los peligros cuando lleguen las tormentas.

es uno de los finalistas del A-D Global Challenge 2025 porque están respondiendo a preguntas importantes con enfoques de desarrollo colaborativos.

💡 ¿Qué pueden enseñarnos las comunidades locales sobre el diseño resiliente ante desastres?
💪 ¿Cómo incorporamos materiales regenerativos para que las estructuras sean más resistentes?

¡Consulta el enlace para obtener más información sobre este importante proyecto y otros finalistas del hoy mismo!

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21/11/2025

It’s time to meet the brilliant minds who will conduct the final review of the Finalist Projects!

Let us introduce the members of the GC2025 Review Board:
💫 David Basulto, Founder ArchDaily
💫 Sharon Ambrosio, Head of Venture Programs, Tamar Ventures
💫 Alan Kadduri, Sustainability Director, Novo Nordisk

After their individual mentoring sessions, the finalist teams will present their revised projects to this fantastic panel made of experts in media, entrepreneurship and corporate responsibility. The stakes are high, and we can't wait to see these projects shine! ✨

Stay tuned to find out more!

19/11/2025

Indigenous peoples are the backbone of participatory design in remote contexts. In a region where ancient traditions are fading away due to over-tourism, what lessons can we learn from indigenous communities?

Global Challenge finalist Toda 2.0 in Tamil Nadu demonstrates the power of cross-cultural exchange in the architectural process, especially when that culture is under threat.

🤝 How do local stakeholders engage in meaningful exchange?
🛖 Why is cultural continuity essential in development?

Toda 2.0 advocates for local heritage and collaboration, using do-it-together design to pass invaluable ancient knowledge to the next generations.

Check out our for more information, and keep following for more about this - and other amazing initiatives that A--D is supporting >> https://buff.ly/EW5cdMR

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30/10/2025

Would you shift your life and career if you felt driven to change systemic gaps in your industry?

For Carly, it meant leaving her managing role in humanitarian architecture to amplify stories from overlooked communities and impactful grassroots projects through photography and film making.

Carly has been our ambassador since 2021.
Since 2025, she’s joined our ex*****on team, editing video stories alongside her new freelance service.

👀 Watch the complete Youtube video about her journey https://buff.ly/YoEc2Ke
👉 Get in touch for possible collaborations https://buff.ly/IlEI0ct 🤝 🙌 🫶

10/10/2025

Real change in architecture starts small, local, quiet, and deeply rooted in community and territory.

The GC2025 Accelerator is not a competition prize. It is a tailored incubator designed to support the upscaling of local-led, community-based architectural initiatives that embody the Do-it-Together ethos.

The Accelerator is where finalists of the A--D Global Challenge receive strategic, needs-based guidance to transform their potential into long-term impact.

In the GC2025 Accelerator, Finalist Projects gain mutual learning, peer support, and shared visibility. The goal is simple: to connect underfunded, locally-led innovation with the global network it needs to thrive.

Follow the five GC2025 finalists as they progress through the Accelerator program and scale their projects:
🌱 La Guasasa, Cuba - Asociación Erentia
🌱 Eco Prefab, Uganda - Localworks
🌱 Saving Portete, Ecuador - Rama Estudio
🌱 Mopy'atã Ra'yraé Cultural Center, Brazil - Grupo Fresta
🌱 Toda 2.0, India - Centre for Green Building Materials and Technology (CGBMT)

https://buff.ly/sfFbkDl

08/10/2025

ENGLISH (Spanish below)

How can we collaborate with a community affected by an earthquake?
What transformative possibilities emerge from this encounter?

This is the core question explored by finalist project, Saving Portete, led by Rama Estudio on Portete Island, Ecuador.

Over four and a half years, this collaboration has redefined and revalued the use of bamboo and toquilla, as well as traditional building and craft techniques on the island, to create public and community spaces that drive social development and foster responsible tourism.
The project continues to strengthen urban infrastructure and social cohesion through do-it-together work and ongoing collaboration.

How can this partnership continue to grow?
How does our perception of architecture change when it is built through dialogue and cooperation?

Learn more about the project and get inspired to continue questioning ourselves, unlocking possibilities, and weaving new conversations. >> https://buff.ly/RV2moh0

SPANISH
¿Cómo colaborar con una comunidad que ha sido afectada por un terremoto?
¿Qué posibilidades se abren desde ese encuentro?

Eso es lo que explora el proyecto Saving Portete, liderado por Rama Estudio en la Isla Portete, Ecuador.

Tras 4 años y medio de colaboración, han resignificado y revalorizado el uso del bambú y la toquilla, métodos tradicionales de la isla, para crear espacios públicos y comunitarios que impulsen el desarrollo social y fomenten un turismo responsable.
El proyecto busca seguir fortaleciendo la infraestructura urbana y la cohesión social a través del trabajo colectivo y la colaboración constante.

¿Cómo seguir colaborando con la comunidad?
¿Cómo cambia nuestra manera de percibir la arquitectura y sus prácticas cuando se construye desde el diálogo y la cooperación?

Conoce más sobre el proyecto para seguir preguntándonos, abriendo posibilidades y tejiendo conversaciones.

Text and video by Paulina Ojeda.

03/10/2025

⚡ Introducing the Accelerator Mentors!⚡

We are proud to introduce the experts who will be guiding the GC2025 finalist teams through the Accelerator program!

This powerhouse lineup brings together leaders in urban innovation, community-based approaches, sustainable design and engineering, and digital transformation to ensure every team receives a holistic view on building impactful, scalable solutions:

🌟 Beatrice De Carli (Associate Professor, University of Sheffield) Mopy'atã Ra'yraé Center, Brazil 🇧🇷
🌟 Jack R. Lehane (ADAPT Research Fellow, University College Dublin) Saving Portete, Ecuador 🇪🇨
🌟 Shira de Bourbon Parme (Urban Wellbeing and Innovation Lead, Ramboll) Eco Prefab, Uganda 🇺🇬
🌟 Tanzil Shafique (Assistant Professor, University of Sheffield) Toda 2.0, India 🇮🇳
🌟 Scott Brookes (Team Director, Elliott Wood) La Guasasa, Cuba 🇨🇺

A massive thank you to this brilliant group for dedicating their time and expertise! 🙏
https://buff.ly/2Aa1w5g

Follow along for the Accelerator updates - Let the learning begin! 🚀

01/10/2025

The GC2025 may have its finalists, but the impact work doesn't stop there. We want to shine a light on incredible projects that made the Longlist and continue to drive sustainable, community-led change through their Do-it-Together approach and collaboration spirit. Here’s a look at the latest progress from five inspirational teams:

1- Camarones's Class-Ground - Taller General (Camarones, Ecuador)
A critical educational and regeneration project in the Pacific Forest. The project inaugurated its first phase (The Recreational and Educational Park) last July. This milestone was the result of a collective, three-month construction effort, and a community-led design process. Follow their journey here > https://buff.ly/vMQrDmV

2- Environmental Science Labs Ecuador (Ibarra & Quito, Ecuador)
A powerful cross-cultural effort involving students and teachers from Ecuador, Chile, and Germany. This summer, the project participated in the DIA exhibition at Hochschule Wismar in Germany and celebrated the official start of construction. Follow their journey here > https://buff.ly/TACScXb

3 + Vida + Verde (Caracas, Venezuela)
This project connects rural communities with regenerative education through art and culture. Most recently, they successfully installed a School Vegetable Garden using local bamboo beds and have been working on the electrical installations in their main space. Follow their journey here > https://buff.ly/CxppB5C

4- Olón Yaku Forest School (Olón, Ecuador)
This project is transforming a threatened coastal forest into a regenerative learning space. While preparing for the physical build, they’ve already launched biodiversity monitoring (confirming the area’s ecological value) and are running hands-on nature exploration activities with local children. Follow their journey here > https://buff.ly/KB02Yru

5- ECOMALL - The Ragnarok Portal (Palomos, Colombia)
A modular bamboo Eco-mall that integrates cultural and productive spaces to regenerate the social fabric of the neglected village of Palomos. Most recently, guided by civil engineer and bio-construction expert Juliana Alzate, the team held a workshop to raise income for the construction of the first EcoMall module. Follow their journey here > https://buff.ly/wTpmVcu

These projects are proving that commitment, community, and collaboration are the true measures of success. Help us celebrate their progress and consider supporting their efforts!

Photo credits belong to the project teams.

26/09/2025

Meet Tush*ta, an architect with an MSc in Public Relations and over a decade of experience across 15+ countries. Her work weaves together climate and community, including energy transitions, environmental justice, resilience, and social design.

At A--D, she brings a keen interest in building relationships and communicating impact.

Watch her video, where she reflects on her connection with A--D and the spirit that drives her work.

PS: If you are wondering, her companion's name is Boxer, and he is a rescue dog.

24/09/2025

What if the most innovative solutions were getting overlooked?

The Global Challenge Accelerator bridges the gap between passionate professionals and the community-led projects that are truly changing lives.

We believe in supporting these initiatives with more than just recognition. Through free mentorship, we help them secure vital partnerships and resources, connect with like-minded peers, and gain the visibility they deserve.

Ready to see what’s possible? Follow the GC2025 Accelerator and the participating finalist teams:

Eco Prefab - Localworks
La Guasasa - Asociación Erentia
Saving Portete - Rama Estudio
Toda 2.0 - Centre for Green Building Materials and Technology (CGBMT)
Mopy'atã Ra'yraé Cultural Center - Grupo Fresta

https://buff.ly/WC4jGKC

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