How do you: Create a hands-on learning experience that also builds community?

Summary: The American Institute of Architecture Students, through its school chapters, took the idea of an AIA member and ran with it, creating a mission, Freedom by Design, by which creativity applied to real-life limitations expands the capabilities of people with disabilities. “Across the U.S., there are large numbers of people who are trapped in their own homes,” the students explain. “They cannot, with any ease, get into their own showers, ascend steps, or reach into a cabinet to get a bowl. There are people who cannot escape their homes in case of emergency. Small changes to their homes can significantly change their lives.”

The Freedom by Design (FBD) mission is to identify opportunities where student-designed and constructed projects, such as accessibility ramps and interior elements, allow individuals to live in a safe environment, void of physical or implied barriers; with a sense of dignity becoming any individual of the community; and with the same comfort that able-bodied individuals experience daily. In so doing, the FBD vision is to empower students to own a process that radically impacts the lives of people in their communities through design and construction solutions.

FBD began in 2000 as an idea put forth by Brad Buchanan, FAIA, an architect in Denver. Within four years, the FBD organization had completed over $300,000 in built construction with only $4,000 in donated seed money. Citizens in Denver were excited about FBD, and architects and students around the country were beginning to hear about it and wanted to contribute. As the program expanded rapidly, Buchanan realized that the current structure was not sustainable and began looking for an organization to take this program to the national level.

Students step up to the plate
At an AIA Board meeting during the fall of 2003, AIAS President Wayne Mortensen, who was serving as the student director on the Board, heard of Buchanan’s quest. Seeing a perfect fit with the AIAS, Mortensen brought the program for consideration to the next AIAS Board meeting. That winter, the AIAS Board unanimously approved a FBD Pilot Program.

In 2004, the pilot program involved six AIAS chapters representing a diverse group of communities. Preparation included an orientation session in Denver, and the students set to work. Despite some setbacks and growing pains, the final results were conclusive. And, with changes as seemingly small as installing handrails in bathrooms to as large as installing accessible ramps outside of the home, the students helped people across the country create homes that are welcoming, useable living spaces.

In 2005, the AIAS expanded the program to 11 chapters in as many communities, making adjustments to accommodate lessons learned the previous year. As AIAS examined the model for future expansion of the program, it became clear that the future is now. With the right partnerships and resources, AIAS leadership is confident that the organization can bring FBD to any chapter and community committed to serving others.

A full-blown national initiative
FBD is now a full-blown AIAS national initiative. An additional 11 schools joined the already active 15 FBD programs for the 2006–2007 school year. The students created an application process with a set schedule for the 2008–2009 school year with a process that allows schools of all sizes and locations to apply. Selected teams were notified at the beginning of May 2008 and will begin their orientation over the summer.

In addition to the continued growth of the program at the many universities, the AIAS started to develop more resources, a staff position to look over the 26 AIAS chapters with active FBD teams, and an 11-person advisory council to oversee the strategic vision of the program as it continues. As with the program itself, the annual FBD orientation continues to evolve to support the ever growing numbers of leaders in attendance and their many questions. The 2007 orientation, for example, included a site visit and design charrettes to give the students more of a hands-on experience.