Freedom by Design
Life safety, dignity, and comfort are the foundation of and the
reason for Freedom by Design™. Freedom by Design (FBD), an
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) national
program, uses the talents of architecture students in service to
their communities by helping individuals with physical, mental, or
financial disabilities to live safely, comfortably, and with
dignity. Minor modifications to the homes of these individuals
address their struggles with such everyday tasks as getting in
and out of showers, ascending stairs, and opening doors.
Freedom by Design began as a volunteer organization intended to
ameliorate dangerous conditions in the homes of people unable to
make the necessary alterations on their own. It used the skills of
volunteer architects and builders to survey homes, identify
barriers, and implement solutions that would have a radical impact
in the lives of its recipients. For four years, it was coordinated
by its founders Brad Buchanan, principal of Buchanan Yonushewski
Group, and former colleague Leslie Acosta.
After hearing a presentation by Buchanan in 2003, AIAS
representatives began to brainstorm ways to implement the program
with architecture schools. In fall 2003, after the plan was
unanimously endorsed by the AIAS Council of Presidents at
its annual meeting, an AIAS pilot program was instituted to
elevate FBD to a national initiative. Currently, FBD chapters
are on the campuses of the University of Texas at Austin, the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the University of Colorado at
Boulder, Mississippi State University, Arizona State University,
Lawrence Technological University, the University of Minnesota, the
University of Nebraska, the University at Buffalo, Ball State
University, and Kansas State University. Since 2004, more than
15 projects have been completed by our pilot chapters. The
program is expected to expand to 25 campuses by the end of
June 2006.
The AIAS is developing FBD to be implemented through its 130
chapters. As a program that involves students resolving
accessibility issues and simultaneously providing students with the
“real world” experience of working with a client,
mentorship from a local architect and an understanding of the
practical impact of architecture and design, the FBD epitomizes the
AIAS’s mission to promote excellence in architecture
education, training, and practice; to foster an appreciation of
architecture and relation disciplines; to enrich communities in a
spirit of collaboration; and to organize students and combine their
efforts to advance the art and science of architecture.
To advance the mission of the Freedom by Design program, the
following strategies are being developed and implemented:
- A dedicated page on the AIAS Web site
- An informative and inspirational monthly newsletter, Creating Communities
- An advisory council
- An annual training program
- Promotional materials
- Publication of articles and ads in various publications to generate interest in the program
- In-kind and fund development activities
For greater impact, we encourage partnership between AIA
components and participating AIAS Freedom by Design chapters. Local
professionals are crucial as mentors in the client selection and
design-build process, including orchestrating design charettes,
helping to identify community and business contacts, fund-raising,
and serving as a liaison to the profession. Licensed architects,
contractors, and health professionals make ideal mentors as
students design, attain permits, and construct life-changing
solutions.
For additional information and to become actively engaged, please
contact Toni Smith, director of community services at the AIAS,
202-626-7497 or tsmith@aias.org.