'Design 4 Others' Honored by Magazine Awards Program
06 May 2009
Projects completed by the HDR CUH2A volunteer organization Design 4 Others, for the renovation and modernization of medical diagnostic laboratories in Tanzania, Africa, have been selected for "Honorable Mention" in the first "Inspirations Awards" program held by Contract Magazine, the commercial design periodical. The Inspirations Awards recognize socially responsible design and actions by the commercial architecture and design communities. Jennifer Busch, editor-in-chief of Contract, said, “We believe that the design industry’s current emphasis on sustainability should be expanded to include the more holistic concept of social responsibility. We are committed to raising awareness around socially conscious design, and it is exciting to see these types of efforts recognized with a national competition and tangible support.”
Design 4 Others (D4O for short) contributes professional services for critical-need facilities for communities with limited resources. D4O has recently been working in Tanzania, Africa to develop laboratories that support care and treatment centers in the battle against tuberculosis, AIDS and other diseases. To expedite the improvement of 23 regional diagnostic labs, a partnership was developed among the Abbott Fund Tanzania, Abbott Laboratories, Design 4 Others and Landplan-Icon, the local architectural firm implementing the designs. Abbott Fund has committed financing to Tanzania's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for a nationwide modernization of these labs over three years, upgrading to provide standard diagnostic testing, lab services and training not previously available. The D4O team has completed four labs in Tanzania, with 19 more expected by 2010. Today, one in three Tanzanians receive services such as ARV therapy at facilities improved by Abbott Fund support and D4O volunteerism. D4O professionals, including architects, engineers and planners, donate their time on these projects, and a team will be heading back to Africa in June to continue the work that has now been recognized by Contract.
The Inspirations Awards jury consisted of John Cary, executive director of Public Architecture, San Francisco; Prataap Patrose, director of Urban Planning, City of Boston; and Trisha Wilson, principal, Wilson Associates of Dallas. To learn more about Contract Magazine's Inspiration Awards and other honorees, click here.
Callie Hancock
Communications
HDR CUH2A
chancock@cuh2a.com