Background:
Ninety-five percent of the world’s designers focus all their
effort on developing products and services exclusively for the richest 10% of
the world’s customers.*
Eco Abet was created in September of 2008 to share articles,
videos and research as well as create awareness about those issues.
Eco Abet was then incorporated as a nonprofit organization in
June 2010, with the intention of redistributing design
efforts toward the remaining underserved majority of individuals who cannot
afford these services and, yet, whose need for economical, sustainable, and
safe living and working spaces is immense.
*Adapted from Paul Polak, Out of Poverty: When Traditional
Approaches Fail
Eco Abet's Mission:
Eco Abet will 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.
Eco Abet's Vision:
By identifying and
addressing the design needs of the local, underserved community, Eco Abet hopes
to positively impact the physical, economic, social and emotional well-being of
community members.
Eco Abet's Scope of Work
1. Eco Abet networks with community members, area design professionals, and other nonprofit organizations to assess the design needs of underserved populations who cannot afford traditional design services to determine project possibilities.
2. Eco Abet facilitates design charrettes by bringing area design professionals together with nonprofits that serve communities in need to develop schematic design solutions.
3. Eco Abet maintains close relationships with the relevant members of the design community to bring identified projects to reality.
1. Eco Abet networks with community members, area design professionals, and other nonprofit organizations to assess the design needs of underserved populations who cannot afford traditional design services to determine project possibilities.
2. Eco Abet facilitates design charrettes by bringing area design professionals together with nonprofits that serve communities in need to develop schematic design solutions.
3. Eco Abet maintains close relationships with the relevant members of the design community to bring identified projects to reality.
4. Eco
Abet engages in research and prototype development using sustainable design
solutions.
5. Eco Abet provides internship opportunities
to area designers and architects in training.