Annual Report 2023

STATEMENT OF THE BOARD

Architects Without Borders (AWB) witnessed a growing interest and solidarity for our mission in 2023. This was evidenced by reaching our highest-ever number of members, receiving the Dreyer’s Prize, and through extensive media exposure in articles, interviews and talks.

Exposure & International Community

In 2023 Copenhagen was the World Capital of Architecture, and hosted the UIA congress, thereby providing the entire architectural community, including us, with a global stage. Suddenly, architects from around the world discussed global agendas in our home city, with a focus on the built environment’s impact and solutions for a sustainable future. AWB participated in several events and had widespread coverage through articles and social media. Simultaneously we hosted the General Assembly of Architecture Sans Frontières International, also demonstrating the strength of the international community and the numerous architects sharing our goals.

Restructuring & Growth

Over the past 15 years both volunteer commitment and member support have been instrumental in the maturation of AWB. Alongside a portfolio of projects, each improving the lives of their users, a solid foundation has been established. This foundation propels us into a restructuring phase, giving rise to three programs: Building & Development,

Urban Challenges, and Knowledge & Education. These programs serve as the core of our work in years to come, as they will develop new projects, strengthen collaborations, and provide a robust framework for our dedicated volunteers.

The secretariat has undergone a noteworthy expansion, transitioning from a sole part-time employee just over a year ago to a resilient team of five professionals. This team has enhanced our capabilities in areas such as accounting, communication, daily administration and volunteer supervision.

Industry Recognition

Our ties with the field of architecture have strengthened, signing an association agreement with the Danish Architect’s Association, being awarded the Dreyers Prize and gaining support from several prominent architecture firms.

The industry is facing changes, not least in wake of its negative impact on the climate. Increasingly, architects are recognizing their responsibilities and actively seeking initiatives to address this issue. AUG has a distinctive synergy with both the industry and architects, offering opportunities to use our skills in architecture and planning to support those in need.

Chairperson of the Board

INTRODUCTION

We believe that decent living conditions are a human right and that they can be promoted by thinking comprehensively and integrating both technical, social, and aesthetic aspects in construction and planning.

Therefore, we make architectural expertise available to civil society and organizations that typically do not have access to it. We also take co-responsibility for ensuring that construction evolves in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable direction.

In doing so, we create opportunities for the accumulation of experience and knowledge among architects in Denmark, so that robust competencies can be built for the benefit of our partners and for the segment of the Danish architectural profession that operates in the global workplace.

THE PAST YEAR IN AUG

PROJECTS

As we’re heading into 2024 several projects are in various states of progress, with a specific focus on the “Build Back Green” initiative in Ukraine and addressing land rights in Mozambique.

The inauguration of the biocentre in Uganda stands as a milestone in AUG’s history. Not only is it this innovative sanitation project a first of in Uganda, but it also signifies the commencement of a strategic project trajectory that we believe can be expanded to many more slums, positively impacting the health of thousands.

In neighbouring Tanzania, the school that we designed for the Jabungu Foundation is rising from the Tanzanian soil. We hope it we will serve as a stepping stone for many young generations to come.

FUNDING

We express our gratitude for the financial support extended by Dreyers Fond, which includes a three-year annual grant of 500,000 dkk and the prestigious Dreyers Prize of 1 mio. dkk. These funds are strategically allocated to support our long-term sustainability. As a part of this transition, we are increasing our focus on accessing government funds. Most recently, we secured 1 mio. Dkk for the continuation of our land rights project.

While our membership base expands, it represents only a portion of the overall funding and capacity available for projects. Yet, our members play a crucial role in the democratic functioning of the organization, serving as volunteers and ambassadors. Their commitment significantly contributes to our mission and initiatives.

COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS

2023 saw a significant focus on building partnerships within Denmark. In addition to our existing collaborations with Dreyers Fond and the Architect’s Association, and with the support of Danske Arkitektvirksomheder, we have embarked on collaborations with KEA for a potential project focused on investigating sustainable solutions and building techniques in East Africa. Furthermore, we have established a partnership with KADK for the Strategic Design & Entrepreneurship program running the spring semester and will continue to explore our partnership with the Open-Festival at Aarhus School of Architecture.

PARTNERSHIPS

We had a significant rise in collaborations and partnerships in 2023.

BIO-CENTRE

Can a joint sanitation project be the starting point for achieving land rights and housing finance?

TURNING WASTE TO GOLD

The bio-centre in the informal settlement of Kinawataka, in Kampala, Uganda, provides slum dwellers with access to toilets, showers and communal spaces. Additionally, the waste is turned into biogas in a tank below the toilets, providing a healthy and affordable alternative to charcoal.

Built in collaboration with local partners and run by a cooper-

ative, it creates a cleaner and healthier environment in the slum, offering relief from overcrowded pit latrines and open sewers.

Millions in sub-Saharan Africa live in impoverished conditions with limited prospects for improvement, facing threats of forced eviction. Dismal housing conditions further compromise residents’ health, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

PROJECT INFO

Place: Kampala, Uganda

Team: Anton Ryslinge

Partnerships: ACTogether, National Slum Dwellers Federation of Uganda

Funding: Dreyers Fond, Cisu & Statens Kunstfond

LAND RIGHTS #2

Through local planning efforts and dialogue, we assist residents in the large slum neighbourhoods of Maputo in obtaining land rights.

A RIGHT TO LIVE

In close collaboration with authorities and the 22,000 residents of the Maxaquene D slum we work to ensure basic land rights for the inhabitants of one of Maputo’s significant slum areas.

The project educates residents about the dangers of lacking land rights, such as potential forced evictions and uncompensated expropriation, and provides information on how to secure these rights. In a subarea with approximately 20,000 residents, we, in partnership with local allies, conduct necessary local planning work to formalize landownership, enabling residents to obtain land rights. This initiative builds upon a successful pilot project completed in 2023.

The project addresses the fundamental causes of slum development and the low mo-

PROJECT INFO

Place: Maputo, Mozambique

tivation among residents to invest in minor housing improvements. No new buildings are constructed in this project.

DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. Reduce poverty by creating the foundation for better and healthier housing conditions, particularly by increasing residents’ motivation to invest in housing improvements when securing rights and protection from eviction.

2. Prevent poverty and marginalization by ensuring vulnerable slum dwellers have the right to remain and receive proper compensation in cases of expropriation, such as during infrastructure projects.

3. Raise awareness in the Maxaquene D slum about the risks of lacking rights and the path to obtaining them.

Partnerships: MapeandoMeuBairro

Team: Johan Mottelson, Jørgen Eskemose, Margarida Waco

UIA2023

Can a pavillion, exhibition and toilet, raise awareness of arvhitecture and planning as tools for development.

WHY GIVE A SHIT?

In Denmark, we use four times the resources the planet can sustain, yet we don’t bear the consequences of our consumption. Instead, the burden falls on the most vulnerable people on the planet, who have the least to resist when climate-related natural disasters like floods, droughts and storms devastate their lands, leading to conflicts and crises.

Our exhibition of projects addressing these inequalities, designed by us and our sister organizations, were situated along the harbour front, throughout the summer and during the UIA event. These together with the pavilion explaining the bio-centre in Kampala, exposed visitors and architects to our work, with the hope of sparking inspiration.

PROJECT INFO

Place: Copenhagen, Denmark

Team: Marja Eden, Gregers Tang Thomsen & Selva Gürdoğn (Exhibition)

Nanna Leth, Asta Elbrønd, Cora Aspen & Christoffer Breitenbauch (Pavilion)

Partnerships: UIA2023, Arkitektforeningen, Københavns kommune, BLOX

Sponsored by: Stark fonden, Dreyers fond & OpEn Puljen

Exhibition of projects from ASF International

the Bio-centre Pavilion in front of BLOX

OUTREACH

We had high expectations for 2023, which were mostly fulfilled. It was a collective effort, and we successfully reached thousands of people.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

The emphasis on strategic communication in the past year has yielded articles and interviews within Byrummonitor, the Architect’s Association newsletter, FAOD, Licitationen and UIA 2023. These efforts have successfully established us as a household name in the industry, increasing awareness of our organization and its work among architects. The management and board are committed to sustaining this momentum, ensuring a continued focus on making our presence known within the architectural community.

SOME

Social media efforts have been increasingly prioritized to better match our focus on communication platforms such as newsletters and web. In late 2023 we formed a team of SoMe volunteers, with a specific emphasis on engaging younger of architects. As of February 2024, our combined follower count on the three main platforms (Linkedin, FB + Insta) has reached 7,759.

EVENTS

2023 has been extraordinary eventful, marked by several notable occasions, including 4 x Aften Uden Grænser, 2 x Project Nights, Building Green, Kulturmøde Mors, UIA2023, ASF General Assembly, Open23 Festival, Pavilion opening and closing events, Dreyers Prize ceremony, 2 x events at Arkitektforeningen, and the Paraply Summer School.

Planning of this remarkable event year commenced in 2022 with an invitation to participate in UIA2023 with a pavilion along the harbour front. Simultaneously, we submitted a bid to host the General Assembly of Architecture Sans Frontières International. This strategic move aimed to provide our international colleagues with an opportunity to explore Copenhagen, acquaint themselves with our national branch, and engage in the congress experience.

PEOPLE

NURTURING AN OFFICE CULTURE

The board and management of AUG are committed to ongoing efforts to enhance the working environment and culture, recognizing that growth and improvement won’t happen spontaneously. With the organization undergoing rapid expansion and evolving roles and leadership structures, we are actively shaping the workplace we envision for the future.

A SOCIAL COMMUNITY

In terms of volunteers and members, we are exploring new avenues for meeting and exchanging ideas in the coming years. Our goal is to maintain AUG as an organization that prioritizes its members, recognizing that our strength lies in collaboration and the exchange of ideas. We aim to create more opportunities for members to connect with us, join project teams, exchange experiences and share knowledge.

A heartfelt appreciation goes out to Marja, Tom, Charlotte, and Erik for their dedicated service to the organization as they step down from the board in 2024. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we extend our warmest thanks for their commitment.

Fælledvej 12

2200 København N

Danmark

Aug.ngo