Architecture For Humanity Hacks Google's Shelter Competition

Google’s recently launched Design It Shelter Competition (which asks designers to submit schemes for 100 square foot shelters using their SketchUp software), has been co-opted by Architecture For Humanity. Founder Cameron Sinclair is raising the stakes, asking designers not just to design a compact 100 square foot building, but to make it a shelter with a humanitarian purpose. He’s so adamant about pushing this social agenda that he has launched a competition to coincide with Google’s, hosted on the Open Architecture Network. Google’s Design It Shelter Competition is awarding two prizes- the People’s Prize and the Community Prize, and Architecture for Humanity is adding an unofficial third, the Community Prize, which they will judge themselves and announce on October 21st. Submissions for both competitions are due August 23rd.