As we wrap up 2024, we’re reflecting on a year dedicated to laying the groundwork for meaningful change. Since our restructuring last December, we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes, refining our processes to ensure that ODD is an ethical, transparent, and sustainable organisation. It's been a year full of knowledge and relationship building- an important time of laying solid and lasting foundations- setting us up for impactful projects in 2025.
R&D Highlights: Building Momentum for 2025
🛠️ Gaxa: Rebuilding Home, Street + Neighbourhood [Cairo, Egypt]
In February we launch the pilot workshop Gaza: Rebuilding Home, Street + Neighbourhood an inspiring initiative in collaboration with Architects for Gaza and Global Free Unit that brings together Gazan built environment students, teachers and professionals who have been displaced. There is a great and urgent need to reimagine the region and ensure that recovery and reconstruction efforts are rooted in local community practices, centered on healing the land and its people. In Cairo, these brilliant minds will convene in person to reimagine a brighter, more resilient future for Gaza and beyond.
👩🔧 WorkWomen WorkShop [Izmir, Turkey]
Launching next spring, this hands-on program for women who have been displaced and marginalised will equip them with essential DIY skills for household repairs. The course fosters community-building among participants, helping to create a supportive network of skilled women who can assist themselves and their neighbours, reduce isolation, and strengthen social ties, all while improving their living conditions. The spring launch is the first step of a more ambitious construction skills training program. If you’re a woman working in construction and are interested in volunteering your skills, we’d love to hear from you!
📚 Sharing Knowledge: Resources Library
With the support of volunteer researchers, we are continuing to build a curated library of excellent resources for architects and designers on topics and crises central to our work. Through the resources library, we hope to increase understanding of the nuances and complexities around many of these topics and to highlight marginalised voices and perspectives. You can access the resources for free via our website [https://www.displaceddesigners.org/resources]
Looking Back to Look Forward
This year, we focused on fortifying the roots of ODD. By critically reviewing, updating and strengthening our internal systems, we’ve ensured that the projects we deliver in 2025 and beyond will have an even greater impact. Though much of this work has been behind the scenes, it’s been pivotal in positioning us for a year of tangible, transformative action.
🎄 A Call to Action: Support ODD This Christmas 🎄
We can’t do this without you; we need your support to bring these projects to life. A Christmas donation, no matter the size, will directly support initiatives like Rebuilding Gaza and the WorkWomen WorkShop. Together, we can empower displaced communities and create opportunities for resilience and growth.
💡 Donate today and be part of a brighter future: [https://www.displaceddesigners.org/]
Thank you for standing with us during this year of preparation. We can’t wait to share 2025 with you—it’s going to be a year of action and impact.
With gratitude,
The ODD Team
