Eco Abet Summer Charrette ReCap

On July 12th, 2011, Eco Abet, a Kansas City-based non-profit architecture and design organization, hosted its first 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 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 70 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 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The presentation started at 6:30 pm.

The general mission of the organization is to participate in the creation, initiation, and design of local and global architecture projects. Of special interest to Eco Abet are design projects that address the needs of children (and other vulnerable populations) that have been exposed to poverty, natural disasters, and traumas of various kinds. Eco Abet will also engage in research and prototype development for disaster relief housing, schools and clinics, community play spaces, and sustainable design solutions.

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, BRR Architecture, Treanor Architects, Zahner, Spin Pizza, Magnolia's, Boulevard Brewery and My Smart Plans. Thank you to our non profit partners 816 Bike collective, New House Women Shelter, ReStart, Downtown Council and WestsideCAN. Also we would like to recognize our panel members Kirk Gastinger, Kite Singleton, Dominique Davison, Ryan Townsend, Vicki Noteis and Joy Swallow, and the panel moderator Vladimir Krstic. A big thank you to Clint Wynn volunteering his time to document the event. Finally the Summer Charrette would not be a success without the charrette team leaders Chris Mitchell, Devan Case, John Quinton, Aimee Gray, Joy Coleman, Paul Sanders, Brian Roth and Eric Boch 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.

Nabolu Girl's Center, Kenya

The Nabolu Girl’s Center believes that with support, Maasai girls can maintain their cultural pride and obligation while pursuing an empowering education. It brings this belief to fruition by providing girls with a safe place to seek educational resources, shelter, scholarships, support, and family reconciliation. Nabolu is a Maasai word that means “to open the future;” through innovative Maasai run programming The Nabolu Girl’s Centre not only opens the future for Maasai girls, but it also opens the future for their communities. It's mission is to provide access to educational resources, to help maintain the cultural pride of Maasai girls while supporting them in their educational pursuits through reconciliation programming, to teach girls integral life skills, to raise awareness within the community about issues affecting Maasai girls, and to provide a home away from home.

Eco Abet is providing architectural services in designing the new building. Above image is a view of the new building for the Nabolu Girl's Center.

Nabolu Girl's Center, Kenya

Nabolu Girl's Center, Kenya. Eco Abet is working with Women Empowerment Breakthroug, a non profit based in Arizona on the new Girl's Center Design.

Children & Dreams

I wanted to share new improvements of Nabolu Girl's Center. Here are some beautiful images of our young clients visions of their home. I have posted two images earlier. I received rest of the images recently. I love the ideas, color and most of all their innocence in believing in their dreams.

Nabolu Girl's Center, Kenya

Above are some of the concept designs done by Massai girls of their new Girl’s Center.