We believe that architecture can be an ethical tool for social change.
“Architecture is not a static object. We must factor in issues of risk—ecological, geological, political, social—and adopt a transdisciplinary mode of designing and delivering projects. We must then seek out the multiple narratives of the impact the designs, through diverse social, health, and education projects, have on people's lives.”
“AWF has an intense focus on making a relevant, long term contribution to vulnerable communities—communities that otherwise might be neglected by more mainstream organisations. In that sense, it is a bit of a renegade organisation.”
“Part of our approach is to not actually design or build anything for the communities we work with, but to empower them. If you can provide the knowledge, tools, and resources then they can choose how these are best used. Once you’ve left and gone home, they are still self-determined and thriving. That’s the most useful role we play.”
“We can’t expect that whatever our idea of how a project should work is going to work, because there are just so many differences in culture. That’s why it’s so necessary to be humble in our role. We can facilitate things but can’t dictate how things will work. I love that with AWF we’re able to bring in organisations who haven’t had that experience before.”
"I'm interested in working with NGOs who don't just 'talk the talk', but 'walk the talk'. I've had first-hand experience with AWF implementing projects that make a real difference. It's great being able to partner with the talented design and construction community to move from a concept to a community facility."
“AWF draws together people with altruistic visions for their fellow man. We enable professional talents the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way towards aiding and fostering healthy communities, it facilitates a way for people to contribute towards something bigger.”
"Working on the Fijian project has demonstrated to me the critical difference AWF can make in a community and reinforces the role that architecture plays in shaping and transforming people's lives.”
“There are many talented architects ready to step forward and provide architectural services for those communities who would otherwise be without. And they can, as I have, with AWF facilitating real opportunities to do so locally and in the Asia Pacific region”. — Robert Stent
“There is no going back to traditional practice for me. I feel compelled to take my mixed skillset from my place in the privileged world out to where the need for it is more acute. That’s why I work with AWF. Their projects use sophisticated architectural design and project management skills to solve real world problems for those in need.”
We are in a state of emergency as bushfires continue to destroy lives, homes and communities. Firefighters have been flown in from surrounding states and New...
Do you want to learn more about the importance of bees for our food security? The Apiary at Collingwood Children's Farm is open on the second...
Thank you to JCB Architects for hosting the AWF Network Partner End of Year Celebration last night at the beautiful, new South Melbourne Life Saving...
Architects Without Frontiers with its 12 AWF Network Partners are proud of another successful year, working on complex projects for vulnerable communities in Australia and...
Thank you to the incredible community members and groups with whom we work and to our AWF Network Partners. Our important work is not achievable...
AWF and it’s network partners pays its deepest respects to those agencies and volunteers involved in fighting these walls of fires and or with houses...
THE ANGANWADI PROJECT in Architecture Australia The Anganwadi Project (TAP) is featured in Architecture Australia magazine (January 2020, Issue 1) with a beautiful article written by...
ONE LIFE TO LOVE PROJECT Inspiring things can happen when the right organisations become connected. That’s why it’s exciting to see the new AWF collaboration between...
AWF collaborated with Mahboba’s Promise and Tomaszewski Associates back in 2005 to develop Hope House in Kabul, a project designed to house women and children...
AWF is thrilled to share the news of Executive Director, Dr Esther Charlesworth’s inclusion in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List as a Member of...
Tract is supporting the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre (CNLC) to deliver an Indigenous Garden within its current Balam-Balam community garden. The purpose of the garden...
Chair of the Board of Architects Without Frontiers, Phillip Greenham, recently shared his insights with Esther on his experiences with AWF, the changes he has...
Deiter Lim, Managing Director of Tract Consultants shares his insights on being an AWF Network Partner and the future of pro bono work in the...
The Society for Indigenous Women of the Cakaudrove Province, Fiji (Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei ni Cakaudrove, SVTC), recently welcomed ambassadors and high commissioners from five...
AWF and AWF Network Partner, ClarkeHopkinsClarke, are collaborating on an exciting project in Tanzania. CHC are in the process of developing a concept masterplan to...
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami wreaked havoc in Sri Lanka. In response, AWF joined the City of Melbourne to help rebuild communities in the City...
AWF and Network Partners, Roberts Day and CHC are working with the Bushfire Education Foundation on the design of a state-of-the-art education centre and museum...
It has been a challenging year globally, and the need to support these vulnerable communities has never been so paramount. This year, Tristan Wong (SJB) and...
AWF was approached by Uthman’s Dream in late 2020 for support in developing a Masterplan for the school and orphanage to be developed in Kitgum,...
“How do you create a sustainable community, in all senses of the word: socially, commercially, economically, environmentally? Our work with AWF aligns perfectly with these concerns. We can aid disadvantaged communities by helping them realise their cultural, touristic, and economic sustainability. This partnership aligns with everything we do.”—Dieter Lim, Managing Director
Cox Architecture has an unwavering commitment to positively affect our environment through all our interactions and endeavours.
“At a philosophical level, I think our industry can, and really should, contribute—in fact, I think it’s undervalued in terms of the contribution it can make—to how we live, and how we interact, and to every aspect of our lives.”—Mark Loughnan, Hassell
“Good design is not meant to be a privilege, it’s something that should be accessible to all. A lot of the time it’s limited in who it gets to, so it should also be affordable. Thoughtfully designed environments really can change one’s feeling of humanity.” —Tristan Wong, Director
Bonacci Group’s mantra of “Simplicity Delivers Economy” accurately describes our approach to the consideration and implementation of creative design solutions.
"Our partnership with Architects Without Frontiers is a social and cultural investment. It is a core part of our ethos and aligns with our brand values as a community focused organisation." —Mike Day, Founding Director
LCI are dedicated to providing our clients with the most environmentally responsive, sustainable designs.
"The Maningrida project sits at the heart of its community and provides a cultural keeping-place for art that represents the region’s 13 diverse community groups. The ability for our practice to be involved in projects like this provides a wealth of valuable knowledge and insight for our team into where architecture should be heading: how we can learn from our clients, communicate ideas, and provide meaningful and useful spaces designed for the people that actually use them." —Tom Jordan, Hayball Managing Director
"Our collective mindset at Milieu is that being socially and environmentally conscious is not only good practice for designers of built form, but an imperative characteristic for any modern professional firm. Partnering with, and fostering organisations that share this aspiration is very important to us.” —Shannon Peach, Director
“To us, success is not just about providing financial value to our clients. It’s the bigger picture; helping to deliver the projects that shape our communities and make a real difference to the way people live." —David Stewart, Executive Director
“We recognise that, in partnership with AWF, our industry has a critical responsibility to the future of our communities and the environment through the built work that we leave behind, both locally and abroad. Importantly, we have the opportunity to work with communities to transform lives through improved health and well-being.” –Veryan Curnow, Associate Director
“Partnering with Architects Without Frontiers is a great opportunity for us to live our mission of making the world a better place through the design of the built environment.” —Robert Goodliffe, Clarke Hopkins Clarke
NBRS strives to create life changing environments. We design spaces for people. We believe that architecture reaches beyond the physical construction of the built environment – it is a social art.