Humanitarian Architecture – Disasters, Development and Design Responsibility

Time: 21 and 22 November 2018
Venues: Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki and Migration Institute of Finland, Turku

Esther Charlesworth is a Professor in the School of Architecture and Design at RMIT University and Director of the Humanitarian Architecture Research Lab [HARB].

‘Humanitarian Architecture’ is a collective belief that through a consultative process of spatial problem solving, the design profession can contribute in a significant way to the complex challenge of rebuilding a city and its community, following the event of a natural disaster.

Esther Charlesworth’s lecture explored her journey into humanitarian architecture over the last two decades and explored how she has merged theory and practice during her career in the establishment of Australia’s first design not for profit agency – Architects Without Frontiers.

Professor Charlesworth is the founding Director of Architects without Frontiers (AWF). Since 2002, AWF has undertaken over 42 health, education and social infrastructure projects in 12 countries for vulnerable communities, and has been described by ABC radio broadcaster Phillip Adams as ‘destined to develop into one of the greater forces of good on this battered planet ’.

At RMIT, Charlesworth is the Academic Director of Master of Disaster, Design and Development degree [MoDDD]. Since 1990 she has worked in the public and private sectors of architecture and urban design in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Boston and has published seven books on the theme of social justice and architecture, including: ‘Divided Cities ‘ (2009), ‘Humanitarian Architecture ’ (2014) and ‘Sustainable Housing Reconstruction ’ (2015).

The lectures were organised by the Department of Architecture at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Museum of Finnish Architecture as part of the Interplay of Cultures program, and in collaboration with the Migration Institute of Finland and the Allan and Bo Hjelt Art Foundation.

Can architecture build a better world?

Interplay of Cultures – the Museum of Finnish Architecture’s leading autumn exhibition – celebrates the 25th anniversary of education in global sustainability and humanitarian development at Aalto University, while also raising concern regarding the current state of world affairs.

The exhibition  Interplay of Cultures is on until February 24, 2019 at the Museum of Finnish Architecture.