Year in review: 2020 headlines from ArchitectureAU.com
Architects rally to support bushfire-ravaged communities
The devastating bushfires of the 2019-20 “Black Summer” spawned an unparalleled community response. An estimated $500 million was donated by the public, local communities rallied around those who had lost their homes and, in cities, thousands marched in protest of government inaction in addressing climate change. Architects too rushed to offer support to affected communities, launching the Architects Assist program in January to offer pro bono design services. Founded by Sydney-based designer Jiri Lev and facilitated by the Australian Institute of Architects, the program aimed to put architects and other built-environment professionals in touch with individuals and communities to design architecturally considered, resilient and sustainable buildings. By July, more than 600 firms had signed up, along with 1,500 architecture students and graduates keen to assist recovery efforts. Lev, who together with his wife Aleksandra toured bushfire-affected communities to offer advice and referrals, estimates that between 100 and 200 projects have been initiated through
