Community Design - Essay Example

Synopsis: This is a one-page abstract with two works cited. The subject of this abstract is the intent and strategies of Pro Bono Design. The activist practices of Pro Bono Design Collaborative, including its strengths and weakness will be evaluated in this abstract.

The Pro Bono Design Collaborative's demonstrated history and optimal levels of project sustainability may appear astounding for a not-for-profit organization. The Pro Bono Design Collaborative receives required services from the pro-social contributions of professionals from the disciplines of design and construction. One of the important elements which have contributed to Pro Bono Design Collaborative's success is the specialized scope of services offered. Collaborative volunteers dedicate their time and effort to the inception of the project. Traditionally, not-for-profit organizations have found it a challenge to encounter the appropriate professional expertise. This challenge has been in regard to pre-development planning. The dilemma is that there is no capital funding without the pre-development of the projects. There are scarce resources to delegate to pre-development personnel until the pre-development phase of the project  is completed. This is where the pro-social volunteers of the neighborhood come to the assistance of the Pro Bono Design Collaborative. The progressive neighborhood influence requires that there should be some personnel with expertise in practical problem-solving. This neighborhood requirement inspired the formation of Public Architecture. Consequently, the 1% solution program was created. The designation of 1%  was given to the program. The Pro Bono Collaborative provides the necessary pre-development services, thereby encouraging the construction phase of the proposed projects. The scope of these pre-development services may also be speculative neighborhood endeavors and other professional services which include research. The motivations of these endeavors are to benefit the greater good. The causal attribution of the laissez-faire perception is that there has been scarce professional encouragement in the field of architecture. The architectural professionals in the community have not perceived the pro-social volunteer work as essential to a successful business model (rastorfer-darl-the community design collaborative.pdf).

Public architecture is a not-for-profit organization that encourages community professionals in the architectural field to participate in the enhancement of the public good. The Pro Bono Design Collaborative is actively involved in the practical aspect of problem-solving in the constructed environment. The Pro Bono Collaborative has received supplemental support from Pederson Architects in the form of pro bono services. Public Architecture is the primary factor in attracting talented architects and designers. The objective of attracting these talented architects and designers is in order to solve problems related to the enhancement of the greater good. (pederson.pdf).

In 2005, Public Architecture began a national campaign that came to be known as the 1% program. This program was supported by a grant from the National Endowment for The Arts. The 1% program encourages neighborhood participation from architects in the form of an investment of 1% of their time towards pro bono services. The objective of the 1% program is to substantially augment the architectural services provided for the public good, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In modifying the guidelines and recording the model effects of public interest practice, the program augments the architect's contributions to society. The following recommendations may assist architectural firms in acquiring exposure:

• Take the initiative.
• Apply insights toward practical problem-solving.
• Network with artists, community leaders, contractors, and architectural firms.
• Adopt a not-for-profit organization.
• Gain public exposure from editors and newspapers (pederson.pdf)