Eco Abet Summer Charrette 2013 ReCap

On June 13th, 2013, Eco Abet, a Kansas City-based non-profit architecture and design organization, hosted its third annual summer charrette and fund/friendraiser at the KC Design Center in Kansas City, MO. As more than 90% of the population cannot afford design services, Eco Abet bought together the Kansas City design community with several non-profit organizations and individuals that address the needs of local underserved groups. The design charrette included diverse groups of designers, along with representation from the non-profit groups being served.

There were over 50 participants and eight charrette teams signed up for the charrette. The teams collaborated to generate a solution for a specific, identified design need. The charrette took place from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm, followed by a public exhibition and reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The presentation started at 6:00 pm.

The general mission of the organization is to act as a catalyst to meet the design needs of the underserved, primarily in the Kansas City metropolitan area, by serving as a connector and conduit between the design community and other nonprofit organizations.

Funds generated by the event will be used to provide architecture and design internships with Eco Abet. In return, interns will provide a valuable design service to underserved communities. Eco Abet would like to thank event sponsors Burns & McDonnell, BNIM Architecte, Price Chopper, Boulevard Brewery, JE Dunn, and Treanor Architects. Thank you to our non profit partners Upper Room Program, St Mark Hope Center and Digital Bridge. Finally the Summer Charrette would not be a success without the charrette team leaders and their enthusiastic team members.

Thank you everyone for supporting Eco Abet to advance it’s mission. We will keep you informed on our plans to take these projects forward. We hope to see you all at a future charrette.

AIA National Convention 2013 : "The Intersect of Architecture and Social Justice" panel discussion.

Eco Abet participated in AIA National Convention : Honoring Multicultural Fellows and Diversity Award Honorees: Diversity Council Closing Reception, panel discussion "The Intersect of Architecture and Social Justice" featuring Harvey Gantt, FAIA; Ken Rhyne, Allied AIA, AICAE; and Charmalee Gunaratne, Assoc. AIA, award-winning architects and community change agents who are leading socially through the design process. Read more...

Eco Abet Summer Charrette 2013, just a week away!

Eco Abet Supporters,

We are excited to let you know that the Eco Abet Summer Charrette is only a week away. We have exciting three projects lined up. All focused on inner city students in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Here are the non profit partners for this years charrette: Upper Room (http://www.upperroomprogram.org/), St Mark Hope & Peace Youth Center for De La Salle students (http://www.stmarkhopeandpeace.org/) , (http://www.delasallecenter.org/) and Digital Bridge Kansas City. 

We hope to see familiar faces and new faces at the charrette!

Best,
Eco Abet Summer Charrette Planning Committee 2013

Eco Abet Summer Charrette - Call for Volunteers

Eco Abet/Rockhurst University Project

Today was the final Steering Committee meeting with Rockhurst Capstone Senior Students. This semester has been amazing and we were very fortunate to be chosen by Prof.Turner White. Our many thanks to Steering Committee Members Bob Berkebile, Michelle Word, Richard Wetzel, Lynn NewKirk, Vladimir Krstic, Grant Burcham and Prof.Turner White and the senior students of the Capstone Class.

Eco Abet/Rockhurst University Project

Look forward to building the relationship between Eco Abet and the Helzberg School of Management’s Capstone Students. The expectation is to build and grow the relationship to projects and initiatives jointly determined to be mutually valuable between Eco Abet and the Helzberg School of Management. Many thanks to Professor Turner White for choosing Eco Abet as this year’s project.

Our many thanks to the Steering Committee members Bob Berkebile (BNIM), Vladimir Krstic(KCDC), Grant Burcham(MO Bank), Richard Wetzel (Centric Projects), Michelle Word(Burns & McDonnell) and Lynn Newkirk(JE Dunn) for taking time to be a part this project.

Save the Date

2013 ECO ABET SUMMER CHARRETTE

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

  

DO YOU SEE A NEED IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
LET US KNOW!

Eco Abet is currently gathering project ideas for this summer's charrette and we want to hear from YOU!

Projects should be related to an issue or a location in your community to which you believe
a half-day of GOOD DESIGN and GREAT TEAMWORK will make a big difference.
If you have an idea in mind, or know someone who does, let us help!

Send an email to Charmalee Gunaratne at: cgunaratne@ecoabet.org

Eco Abet Winter Charrette 2012 for Cultivate KC

On December 11^th 2012, Eco Abet hosted first Winter Charrette for CultivateKC to design an energy efficient greenhouse for the low income urban farmers. Eco Abet brought together two design teams consisting of Kansas City designers, engineers and greenhouse experts to take this challenge. There were over 20 participants and two charrette teams participated in the charrette.  The charrette took place from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm, followed by a presentation started at 4.30 pm.

Eco Abet would like to thank BNIM for letting us use their space. Thank you to our non profit partner Cultivate KC. Finally the Winter Charrette would not be a success without the charrette team leaders Bob Berkebile and Dominique Davision and their enthusiastic team members.

Thank you everyone for supporting Eco Abet to advance it’s mission. We will keep you informed on our plans to take these projects forward. We hope to see you all at a future charrette.

Winter Charrette for Juniper Gardens

The Commons