In the closing days of October, 2012, Hurricane Sandy carved a path through the Caribbean before moving up the Atlantic and turning into New Jersey striking many coastal towns. The storm moved north and created a storm surge that has devastated the New York Metro area. There has been widespread major damage and loss of life.
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Our Response
Architecture for Humanity provides design and construction services after disaster. We help rebuild, and will be focused on disaster mitigation and technical assistance to under-served communities.
A Reconstruction Plan
Last Updated: November 2, 2012
Right now the need is relief and recovery but very soon it will be long-term reconstruction. Beyond the large scale water and wind damage, we need to think about upgrading and restoring in a sustainable manner.
A five-point plan for long-term reconstruction:
1. Enable our local chapters to provide technical assistance and support to existing recovery agencies.
2. Provide design and construction assistance to nonprofits and community-based organizations in affected communities to repair civic structures and public spaces.
3. Provide technical assistance to property owners, with a focus on small businesses and rental properties in low-income communities.
4. Provide community design, planning and architectural support to local agencies to rebuild and to develop model mitigation strategies, especially along the New Jersey shore.
5. Build back green. Provide assistance to replace outdated building systems with more sustainable energy-efficient solutions.
Current Programs
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Restore the Shore - Seaside Heights, New Jersey Seaside Heights, New Jersey, situated in the heart of the Jersey Shore and home to decades of summer memories, has been left ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. The residents of Seaside Heights are facing economic hardships, as both their livelihoods and homes were destroyed. However, they are prepared to build back stronger and more resiliently. |
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Rebuild One Block - Rockaways, NY In The Rockaways, Hurricane Sandy destroyed entire blocks of homes of 9/11 first-responder men and women. A community of hard-working dedicated firefighters and EMTs are focused on rebuilding their homes and restoring their neighborhood. As families struggle to navigate the rebuilding process, Architecture for Humanity aims to help deserving families get back on their feet. |
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ReNew York schools / ReNew Jersey schools - NY, NJ Thousands of school children throughout New Jersey and New York were displaced when school buildings were flooded and mechanical equipment severely damaged, rendering their schools unusable. Students are required to attend schools far from their homes, are placed in temporary classrooms, or are now occupying schools with damaged facilities. New Jersey and New York schools are in need of rapid improvement. |
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Resilient Retrofits - NY Hurricane Sandy destroyed and damaged thousands of residences including multi-unit buildings. Many of these buildings were uninsured, making it difficult for building owners to rebuild, let alone consider integrating more sustainable and resilient building systems in the reconstruction process. This program will act as a catalyst for sustainable reconstruction and recovery. Architecture for Humanity proposes providing a combination of grants and technical assistance to targeted landlords in the affected areas of New York to encourage these landlords to adopt more resilient and sustainable building systems. |
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Broad Channel Volunteer Fire House - Broad Channel, NY Over the last 101 years the Broad Channel Volunteers have been in service, they have created a close working relationship with the local FDNY companies as well as the volunteer companies from Nassau & Suffolk Counties. Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department (BCVFD) lost vehicles and equipment due to Hurricane Sandy, and is currently situated in a two-story building which suffered significant damage. The fire department has a plan of relocating to a new location nearby, and depending on the funds available we will either repair the existing building or help retrofit the new location. |
Updates: Updates will be added to this page regularly.
Twitter: The Official Architecture for Humanity twitter account is @archforhumanity and we've been doing on the ground updates at @afhdisasterteam - If you cannot contribute and want to support our appeal, please link to our site with your social network accounts and/or blogs.
Volunteering: In a few months we will organize a volunteer build but for now we are focused on assembling our team. We will be doing transitional and long term reconstruction, much like our work after Hurricane Katrina. If you would like to offer design, engineering or construction services please sign-up to volunteer.
Chapters: The New York Chapter will be the chapter lead on rebuilding initiatives. We are also talking with the DC, New Haven, Philadelphia and Baltimore chapters about regional support. If your chapter is hosting a fundraiser, please let us know.
Our Experience
For the past 14 years we have been at the forefront of post-disaster reconstruction work around the world.
