AIA DESIGN VOICE
a committee of AIA Austin

Eva Schone, AIA, Chair

Design Voice Volunteer Callout

partner:    Manos de Cristo
project type:    Space Planning
hours:    10 – 30 

synopsis:    Manos de Cristo is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of public services to people in need including food pantry, back to school clothing and supply distribution, and night classes. They are in need of reorganization in one of their computer labs reserved for nightly classes. There are eight computers, one printer, a router and a white board in the room. Currently the computers are awkwardly arranged on folding tables not meant for that use. This makes the small space quite crowded, especially when all eight computers are filled and a teacher is in the middle instructing.

The primary need is for ideas of how to reorganize the room and what could be used to do so, particularly in terms of desking. There at least needs to be more leg room and something on which to bring the computer towers up off the floor as they currently tend to get lots of dust in them. This does not need to include anything more than a plan for the space, but can be expanded to more involved design of the space/desking.

Secondary requests that are not necessary but that would improve the overall function of the classroom are the addition of a shelf to accommodate a small projector above seated head level and a small amount of shelving for the printer, router, and supplies.

Tertiary request, looking at long term goals, Manos is hoping to redesign their large space that was a sanctuary for the former church building. They would appreciate any thoughts on reorganization of the space.

resources:     Manos has access to many volunteers on weekends and weekdays for any type of moving or building that might need to occur based on design. They also have a small budget for purchasing supplies.

timeline:     The classes are held from 7-9 PM Monday thru Thursday. The current session of classes ends December 10th and the next one begins on January 20th. Ideally, reorganization of the space would be complete before the next round of classes. Manos understands, however, that there are time constraints with volunteer efforts and is happy to make adjustments to the room on weekends.
 

Design Voice has changed meeting times as follows:

Business meetings (Navigation Committee)
When:  2nd Wednesday at 12 pm
Where:  Hurt Partners (409 W. 14th at the corner of San Antonio)

Project Information Meetings (For those interested in volunteering)
When:  Last Monday each month at 6pm
Where:  The AIA office

DV Meeting times for the rest of 2009 are as follows:
Wed, Oct. 14th, 12pm Hurt Partners Architects
Mon, Oct. 26th, 6pm CFA/ AIA
Wed, Nov 11th, 12pm Hurt Partners Architects
Mon, Nov 23rd, 6pm CFA/ AIA
No meetings in Dec.

AIA DESIGN VOICE enables the greater design community to connect and collaborate with organizations and individuals interested in and engaged in housing advocacy, development and community building in Austin.

We are a chapter of the American Institute of Architects – we are about Giving.

Currently, we are in the process of developing tools that allow us to connect volunteers with organizations who can benefit from the assistance of architects and the greater design community.  It is our goal to make the process and experience of volunteering effective and enjoyable – we hope to be the mediating link between the giving and receiving parties.