Cameron Sinclair

Cameron Sinclair, Co-Founder, Architecture for Humanity

Cameron Sinclair trained as an architect at the University of Westminster and at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. During his studies Sinclair developed an interest in social, cultural and humanitarian design. His postgraduate thesis focused on providing shelter to New York’s homeless through sustainable, transitional housing. After his studies, he moved to New York where he worked as a designer and project architect.

In 1999 Sinclair co-founded Architecture for Humanity, which seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and brings design services to communities in need. Currently the organization is working in a dozen countries on projects ranging from health centers in Sub-Saharan Africa, community centers in Southeast Asia to low-income housing on the Gulf Coast of the United States. In 2007 Architecture for Humanity launched the Open Architecture Network, the worlds’ first online community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design.

He has spoken at a number of international business and design conferences on sustainable development and post-disaster reconstruction, including guest appearances on BBC World Service and CNN International, National Public Radio and PBS.

In 2003 Sinclair was named a Nice Modernist by Dwell Magazine. He is a recipient of the ASID Design for Humanity award and the Lewis Mumford Award for Peace. In 2004 Fortune Magazine named him as one of the Aspen Seven, seven people changing the world for the better, and in 2006 Sinclair was named one of three winners of the TED Prize, which honors visionaries from any field who have shown they can “positively impact life on this planet.” Together with co-founder Kate Stohr he accepted the 2008 Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Patron Award in honor of the work of Architecture for Humanity, its chapters, volunteers and design fellows.

Architecture for Humanity (AfH) is a nonprofit design services firm founded by Cameron Sinclair in 1999. An organisation who helping to build a more sustainable future through the power of professional design.

By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, Architecture for Humanity brings design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed, focusing particularly on post disaster regions such as Haiti, New Orleans, India and Sri Lanka.

Each year 10,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity with their advocacy, training and outreach programs impact an additional 50,000 people annually. Channelling the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally. From conception to completion, Architecture fo Humanity manage all aspects of the design and construction process. They work with community groups, aid organizations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations.