Emergency Architects Australia

---

Rebuilding lives after a natural or man-made disaster is a struggle for affected communities.

The challenge for organisations such as not-for-profit Emergency Architects Australia (EAA) is to rebuild these communities in a sustainable way and minimise risk in the future.

As architects and built environment specialists, EAA’s primary focus is in constructing permanent, rather than temporary structures using local materials.

Rebuilding Communities

Operating within Australasia and Pacific regions, EAA first establishes a disaster management plan that analyses the environment, damage, and costs of reconstruction before seeking funds.

They work closely with the local communities to understand their needs before construction begins to restore basic economic and education infrastructure and re-house displaced populations. They also teach locals basic disaster management skills.

Closely aligned with Arup’s core values, EAA shares a common interest in designing and building sustainable structures that are cyclone and earthquake resilient. For many Arup volunteers, working with EEA is both a challenging and rewarding experience.

Everyday Sustainable Programs

As part of EAA’s disaster relief programs we provide technical services and support in the development of sustainable strategies and work alongside EAA, aid agencies, local communities, and governments.

The project involves the design and construction of an eco-sensitive amenities block on the site including a basic shelter and a water supply.

In 2007, following the earthquake that left more than 7000 individuals homeless in the Solomon Islands, Arup helped rebuild the communities through the EAA’s aid program. More recently, we sent two employees to the island of Ranongga to help build ventilated pit latrines for the local village.

Closer to home, Arup engineers spent a few months undertaking structural assessments of damaged homes affected by the floods in Ipswich and Lockyer Valley regions. We have also provided assistance, skills and expertise for Ngari School in Sydney, and Narbethong in Victoria, a town devastated by the Black Saturday fires in 2009.

---

Arup and Emergency Architects Australia

---