Cameron Sinclair
Encyclopedia
Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder and 'chief eternal optimist' (CEO) for Architecture for Humanity
, a charitable organization which seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings professional design services to communities in need.
, Bath. In the mid-1990s Sinclair trained as an architect at the University of Westminster
and The Bartlett
School of Architecture, University College London
. Having 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. This thesis served as the basis for starting Architecture for Humanity. Architecture for Humanity was founded by Sinclair in April, 1999 and has grown to include 40,000 professionals and 72 chapters in 14 countries. In 2008 the University of Westminster
awarded Sinclair an honorary doctorate for his services to the profession.
, where he worked as a designer for Steve Blatz Architects, Christidis Lauster Radu Architects and Gensler
.
In April 1999, Sinclair founded Architecture for Humanity
, a charitable organization which develops architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises, and provides pro-bono design services to communities in need. The organization has worked in thirty six countries on projects ranging from school, health clinics, affordable housing and long term sustainable reconstruction. Work has also included rebuilding after the 2010 earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 South Asia Tsunami.
In 2006, Sinclair and Stohr published a compendium on socially conscious design, titled "Design Like You Give A Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises" (May 2006, Metropolis Books). They are currently working on a second volume due out in early 2011.
He serves on advisory boards of the Acumen Fund
, the Institute for State Effectiveness
and the Ontario College of Art and Design.
Sinclair is a regular lecturer and visiting professor and has contributed to a number of exhibitions dealing with social justice and design. He has spoken at a number of international conferences, including the 2010 World Economic Forum, and other events on sustainable development and post disaster reconstruction.
. Along with co-founder Kate Stohr, was awarded the Wired Magazine 2006 Rave Award for Architecture for their work in responding to housing needs following Hurricane Katrina
.
As a result of the TED Prize he and Stohr launched the Open Architecture Network
, the worlds’ first open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design.
In August 2008 Architecture for Humanity and its co-founders Sinclair and Stohr were named as recipients of the Design Patron Award for the 2008 National Design Awards. In 2008 he appeared as one of CNNs Principal Voices as well the television series Iconoclasts alongside Cameron Diaz
, airing on the Sundance Channel.
In 2009 Sinclair and Stohr were jointly awarded the Bicentenary Medal by the Royal Society of Arts for increasing people’s resourcefulness.
In 2010, Sinclair was named a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council
.
Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and brings professional design services to communities in need...
, a charitable organization which seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings professional design services to communities in need.
Education and personal life
Educated at Kingswood SchoolKingswood School
Kingswood School, referred to as 'Kingswood', is an independent day and boarding school located in Bath, Somerset, England. The school is coeducational and educates some 950 children aged 3 to 18. It is notable for being founded by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, in 1748...
, Bath. In the mid-1990s Sinclair trained as an architect at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
and The Bartlett
The Bartlett
The Bartlett is the Faculty of the Built Environment at University College London. University College London created the first chair of architecture in 1841, and the school is named after the original benefactor, Sir Herbert Bartlett.-External links:*...
School of Architecture, University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. Having 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. This thesis served as the basis for starting Architecture for Humanity. Architecture for Humanity was founded by Sinclair in April, 1999 and has grown to include 40,000 professionals and 72 chapters in 14 countries. In 2008 the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
awarded Sinclair an honorary doctorate for his services to the profession.
Professional career
After graduating from university in 1997, Sinclair moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he worked as a designer for Steve Blatz Architects, Christidis Lauster Radu Architects and Gensler
Gensler
Gensler is an American design and architecture firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm was founded in 1965 by Art Gensler, Drue Gensler, and James Follett, and originally focused on corporate interiors...
.
In April 1999, Sinclair founded Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and brings professional design services to communities in need...
, a charitable organization which develops architecture and design solutions to humanitarian crises, and provides pro-bono design services to communities in need. The organization has worked in thirty six countries on projects ranging from school, health clinics, affordable housing and long term sustainable reconstruction. Work has also included rebuilding after the 2010 earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 South Asia Tsunami.
In 2006, Sinclair and Stohr published a compendium on socially conscious design, titled "Design Like You Give A Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises" (May 2006, Metropolis Books). They are currently working on a second volume due out in early 2011.
He serves on advisory boards of the Acumen Fund
Acumen Fund
Acumen Fund is a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty. Its aim is to help build financially sustainable and scalable organizations that deliver affordable critical goods and services that improve the lives of the poor...
, the Institute for State Effectiveness
Institute for State Effectiveness
The Institute for State Effectiveness is a non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. which seeks to develop integrated approaches to state-building and provide independent, authoritative and practical policy advice to the international community and national leaders who are tasked...
and the Ontario College of Art and Design.
Sinclair is a regular lecturer and visiting professor and has contributed to a number of exhibitions dealing with social justice and design. He has spoken at a number of international conferences, including the 2010 World Economic Forum, and other events on sustainable development and post disaster reconstruction.
Awards
In 2004 Fortune Magazine named Cameron Sinclair as one of the Aspen Seven, seven people changing the world for the better. He was the recipient of the 2006 TED prize and the 2005 RISD/Target Emerging Designer of the Year. Recently he was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic ForumWorld Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
. Along with co-founder Kate Stohr, was awarded the Wired Magazine 2006 Rave Award for Architecture for their work in responding to housing needs following Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.
As a result of the TED Prize he and Stohr launched the Open Architecture Network
Open Architecture Network
Open Architecture Network is a free online, open source community dedicated to improving global living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. It was developed by Architecture for Humanity after one of its founders, Cameron Sinclair, won the 2006 TED Prize from the Technology...
, the worlds’ first open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design.
In August 2008 Architecture for Humanity and its co-founders Sinclair and Stohr were named as recipients of the Design Patron Award for the 2008 National Design Awards. In 2008 he appeared as one of CNNs Principal Voices as well the television series Iconoclasts alongside Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
, airing on the Sundance Channel.
In 2009 Sinclair and Stohr were jointly awarded the Bicentenary Medal by the Royal Society of Arts for increasing people’s resourcefulness.
In 2010, Sinclair was named a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council
Design Futures Council
The Design Futures Council is an interdisciplinary network of design, product, and construction leaders exploring global trends, challenges, and opportunities to advance innovation and shape the future of the industry and environment...
.
External links
- CameronSinclair.com - personal website
- Cameron Sinclair's 24 min TED Prize Talk at TED Conference (2006) Monterey, CA
- Pragmatic Experimentation: An interview with Cameron Sinclair
- Interview on CNET
- Wired Science Interview
- British Council for School Environments World Learning Conference Keynote: Cameron Sinclair, Design Like you Give a Damn(Video)
- Cameron Sinclair interview
- Cameron Sinclair on hub_01