In
Designs for Humanity
, architect Poul Bertelsen reflects on his five-decade journey as a humanitarian architect in the developing world. Blending professional insights and personal conviction, he illuminates the unique challenges and rewarding triumphs of designing infrastructure that genuinely serves communities in need, with dignity. From the inception of Msaada Architects-a nonprofit dedicated to church-sponsored projects in the developing world which often are funded partly or fully by missions or donors from the Western World-Bertelsen draws from his work on a wide range of building types, including educational, medical, and worship facilities.The book explores the architect's evolving understanding of "master building" and humanitarian architecture, offering a unique perspective on architecture as an essential tool for social justice. With each chapter, Bertelsen provides readers with practical advice for designing in diverse and resource-constrained settings.
How do you take something from the natural environment to sustain human life and leave the environment intact? My Ph.D. work centered on this question, and it still occupies nearly all my research. Thank you, Poul, for the experiences in Africa that have led me in this direction!
Verle Hansen, PhD
, former Msaada employee and later professor of architecture
Written as a guide,
serves as a blueprint for architects, engineers, and anyone interested in Public Interest Design. Bertelsen hopes his experiences will inspire others to commit to projects that uplift communities in both developing and developed nations, fostering a deeper sense of global responsibility. For young professionals, he emphasizes the importance of cultivating skills locally before embarking on international endeavors. This book is a literary mentorship, urging architects to embrace architecture's core mission: creating spaces that serve and sustain humanity across all borders.