Discover innovative solutions from around the world in the first humanitarian design database. The initial iteration of this database was launched as a result of the 2006 TED Prize but has grown to include hundreds of projects.

In the early 2000’s Cameron Sinclair was on stage at a major design conference in California attempting to galvanize creative industries to look beyond their wealthy clients. In an impromptu moment of impassioned frustration, he fervently exclaimed to the audience: “design like you give a damn!” and then walked off stage.

It didn’t take long for the phrase to become synonymous with humanitarian architecture and a lightning rod in the design world. Eventually this became a series of best-selling books. Volume one was published in 2006 by Metropolis Books and Volume Two was released by Abrams and Thames and Hudson in 2012.

Why "Design Like You Give a Damn"?!

Discover innovative solutions from around the world in the first humanitarian design database. The initial iteration of this database was launched as a result of the 2006 TED Prize but has grown to include hundreds of projects.

PROJECTS