Architecture For Humanity Closes San Francisco Headquarters

By Rory Stott

As reported by SFGate, on January 1st Architecture for Humanity laid off all staff and closed its Head Office in San Francisco. Although there has been no official statement from the organization, the news has been widely circulated, with Architecture for Humanity founders Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr issuing a statement saying that they are ”deeply saddened” by the news, and urging the organization’s other chapters around the world “to continue their much needed work.”

Architecture for Humanity was founded in 1999 by Sinclair and Stohr, focusing on working with communities in need such as those affected by national disasters. Over 15 years, the organization grew to have more than 60 chapters outside San Francisco. In September of 2013, Stohr and Sinclair stepped down as leaders of Architecture for Humanity’s leaders, later appointing Eric Cesal as the new Executive Director.

In his article for SFGate, John King emphasizes that there was no single person to blame for the closure, saying instead that the problem for Architecture for Humanity was “one that’s inherent to socially ambitious nonprofits — finding ways to keep interest and funding coming when the newness of its mission wears off.” He quotes the Programs Director of the San Francisco office Margie O’Driscoll, who commented “The travesty isn’t that the organization went over budget serving communities around the world. It is that humanitarian design isn’t considered a fundamental right. And that today, in San Francisco, it is easier to find funding for an app than to fund an organization which transforms lives in places most Americans don’t know exist.”

We are happy to say that @AFHNY is here to stay & we look forward to continuing the work that we’ve been doing in #NYC for over 10 years.

— Arch for Humanity NY (@AFHNY) January 16, 2015

In their statement, Sinclair and Stohr say: “Our hearts are with the staff and chapter members who worked so hard to build a wonderful organization that did so much for communities around the world. We made so many wonderful friends and will continue personally to support your work.

.@AdrielleEmilia @AFHNY should continue to work regardless of any official statement. Fight for the org and take control.

— Cameron Sinclair (@casinclair) January 16, 2015

“We ran the organization and grew it from just a small circle of volunteers to an international organization with chapters in 25 countries. For more than 10 years, together we led the movement to bring social design where it is needed most. We built award-winning buildings, ran innovative programs, personally raised more than $5 million in annual funding, year in and year out, and established more than five community design centers that set the standard for rebuilding after disaster.”

.@AfHNewark is committed to the mission – #design like you give a damn. #resilient #impact #AfH @archforhumanity @casinclair @ericjcesal

— AfH Newark (@AfHNewark) January 16, 2015

Finally, they encourage the organization’s chapters to continue in spite of the closure of the headquarters, saying “We hope the profession will continue to design like a give damn–in whatever form that takes… And we urge the chapters to continue their much needed work.”

Amazing response from @archforhumanity chapter leaders around the world. Many emails to fight the impending close. Alas my hands are tied.

— Cameron Sinclair (@casinclair) January 16, 2015

In response to this, a number of chapters have made it clear that they intend to continue operations, with Architecture for Humanity London releasing a statement saying that “as an independent, established, financially stable, UK-based registered charity, AfH London is operationally unaffected by this news.” Similarly, Architecture for Humanity’s New York, Newark, Chicago, Vancouver and LA chapters have all published tweets implying that they intend to continue operations.