Archeworks: The School of Socially Responsible Design

Archeworks is a year-long professional program in alternative design. The program exposes students to problems that are not generally addressed in other design institutions. Founded in 1994 by designer Eva Maddox and architect Stanley Tigerman, the mutli-disciplinary oriented program pushes students to explore design in the context of social cause. The socially minded alternative to traditional design curriculum, divides the students into teams on which they work to design projects that are based on actual end-user's needs. "We are designing things for people who most need it," said Tigerman. Previous projects have explored how to integrate multiple community programs to include two Head Start programs, one senior community center and ten affordable dwelling units, as well as developing design methods and environments that reflect the social need in health services. In addition to the projects, student take two classes: "Morality and Ethics" and "Future Studies," taught by the school's founders. "Architecture is generally for the wealthy or surrogates like developers, corporations, private institutions and museums," said Tigerman. "Very little good design finds its way into public housing, facilities for AIDS victims, homes for the disabled and penal institutions. Those who really need good design very rarely get it." Archeworks is the only school of its kind in the U.S. The nine-month program is $5,000. The application process includes a portfolio review.