Putting The Humanity Back Into Habitats

Grants, contributions, a collaboration with the Institute for Classical Architecture & Classical America, open minds, and tight budgets are helping Habitat for Humanity raise its design standards.

1 minute read

October 20, 2006, 7:00 AM PDT

By The Intrepid Staff


" 'To be effective, affordable housing should be dispersed throughout healthy historic neighborhoods that have an intact community structure and access to transit,' says NEA Director of Design Jeff Speck. 'But these neighborhoods often resist Habitat houses, not for socioeconomic reasons, but simply because Habitat's designs are not compatible with their historic fabric.' Speck helped bring ICA (now ICA&CA) and Habitat together shortly after becoming NEA director in 2003 "in hopes that they may find a way around this problem.' He says, 'The program that they have created is an inspiring model of how designers can direct their talents towards the service of society.' "

Tuesday, October 17, 2006 in New Urban News

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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