Roots & Wings Computer Lab

The Global Studio is working with Roots & Wings International to assist with the visualization of a new computer training center in the village of Pasac, Guatemala. Roots & Wings is currently working on securing funding for a new building which will house a computer resource lab and local offices.

SIDAREC set to begin construction!

After months and months of waiting, the day we've been building toward is here.

NAIROBI, Kenya – Dec. 2, 2009 – Construction is cleared to begin on the SIDAREC-Mukuru Kwa Njenga Center here, giving the expectant African community a powerful tool to end the cycle of poverty. The community center, designed for Slums Information Development Resource Center (SIDAREC) and the needs of Nairobi youth, will give Mukuru residents access to the Internet, computer and technology training, health clinic services, early childhood development programs, and a community theater. A radio station and recording studio will top out the six-month construction project, beaming SIDAREC’s radio station Ghetto 99.9 to more than 650,000 local residents and countless listeners around the world.

The community center is a cooperative effort by the 50x15 Foundation and Architecture for Humanity, in local partnership with SIDAREC. Leaders from the three organizations met at the building site Nov. 17 to launch the construction phase and campaign to garner additional support to help “Raise the Radio.”

During the planning for the new community center, a fire destroyed SIDAREC’s previous radio tower and studio. “Ghetto 99.9” is the energizing pulse and beat of this community, providing news and music to thousands in Nairobi. 50x15 and Architecture for Humanity modified the overall plan to include a completely new studio and have launched an incremental “Raise the Radio” fund-raising campaign to ensure the entire community center opens as scheduled. (http://bit.ly/raisetheradio) Please visit the link to contribute to the success of the project.

---partial press release from AMD's 50x15 Initiative

TGS featured in AIA Seattle's Forum Magazine

The Global Studio and its recent work is featured in AIA Seattle's quarterly Forum Magazine. Geoff Piper raising the roof on a composting toilet in Nicaragua made the cover of this Winter 2008/2009 issue. Click the cover image below to download the entire publication.

TGS in the news...

The Global Studio was featured in Seattle Times' Pacific Northwest Magazine on Sunday, March 8th for our design work with underserved communities in Kenya and Nicaragua.

"The Global Studio builds social responsibility from the grass roots up. Four 30-something Seattle architects who donate their services to poor communities in their spare time recently won a major international competition to design a technology hub for a Nairobi-area slum." Click here to read the entire article.

SIDAREC Community Youth Technology Center Schematic Design

After two trips to Kenya and many late nights following, The Global Studio has completed the schematic design for SIDAREC's new Mukuru community resource center.