Press Release
Text: arch. Monica Popescu
Editor: arch. Mina Sava
Photographs: from the personal archive of Mina Sava and Carolina Pizarro Hernández, from UIA meetings
Reading time: 3 minutes
The International Union of Architects (UIA) welcomes Mina Sava and Carolina Pizarro Hernández as the new co-directors of the UIA Architecture and Children Work Programme for the next three years. This valued duo will bring their wealth of experience and innovative perspectives to lead the work programme in its mission to advocate for Architecture and Built Environment Education (BEE) that positively impacts the lives of children around the world.
UIA – Architecture and Children Work Programme Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, 17-18 May 2019
On 14th of December 2023, the Secretary General of UIA, Rui Leão, confirmed in a letter the appointment of Mina Sava and Carolina Pizarro Hernández as Architecture and Children Work Programme Co-Directors for the present 2023-2026 term. The new co-directors are taking over from Suzanne de Laval from Sweden and Heba Safey Eldeen from Egypt after 6 years leading the Work Programme.
Mina Sava and Carolina Pizarro Hernández each bring a unique set of skills and a deep commitment to promoting architecture that caters to the needs and well-being of children and young people. Their combined expertise will undoubtedly drive the UIA Architecture and Children Work Programme to accomplishing new goals.
Mina Sava is an architect who graduated from the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest, Romania, in 1996. Since 2002, she has been a founding architect partner of A Stil, with whom she has won several prizes in architectural competitions. She is a founding member of the Romanian Order of Architects (OAR) since 2003. She is a founding member, initiator and president of De-a Arhitectura Association since 2013, the first Romanian team that develops and promotes architecture and built environment education for children and youth in schools. She is a delegate of the Romanian Order of Architects at the International Union of Architects (UIA) for the Architecture and Children Work Programme, where she is co-director since 2023.
Carolina Pizarro Hernández is a Chilean-Costa Rican architect, educated at the University of Costa Rica and the University of Sciences and Arts (CR), with a diploma in Environmental Architecture from the University of Salamanca, Spain, and museographer, set designer, cultural manager. She is former member of the Board of Directors of the Costa Rican Association of Architects (CACR) for three terms. Coordinator of the Architecture and Childhood Commission of the CACR since 2007. Coordinator of the A.N.D.A. Architecture & Children of America Group since 2015. Official member for Costa Rica of the UIA Architecture and Children Work Program since 2010 and co-director since 2023. Advisor on Architecture and Children for the Pan American Federation of Architectural Associations (FPPA). Jury member of the UIA International Golden Cubes Awards in Paris, France, in 2014 and 2020. Director of ARQUI-TICOS: Architecture, City and Children of Costa Rica since 2000.
The co-directors draw Work Programme strategy and represent the Work Programme in relation with other institutions, organizations and individuals all over the world. They coordinate the work of the group members and the organization of seminars, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, awards, etc.
The UIA Architecture & Children Work Programme operates within the framework of the UIA’s global initiatives, dedicated to influencing public policies and advancing architecture in service to the needs of society. The work programme has members from all five continents, and has built a worldwide network of over 100 professionals involved in this field.
UIA – Architecture and Children Work Programme Meeting, Budapest, Hungary, 17-18 May 2019
The Work Programme created the UIA Charter for Built Environment Education for Children and Young People, to promote and support urgent action and development in built environment education worldwide. The Work Programme assists Member Sections in implementing the Charter and organizes the UIA Golden Cubes Awards, a triennial award initiated in 2011. The objective of the awards is to honor people and organizations that help children and young people to develop a better understanding of architecture and the built environment.
UIA Architecture and Children Work Programme aims to help architects and teachers everywhere show young people what makes good architecture and a sustainable environment. Developing young people’s awareness of architecture, the city and sustainable development is an urgent and vital challenge. With access to knowledge in these areas they will be able – as adult citizens, users, clients and decision makers – to make their voices heard and influence the political, economic and social strategies, which will shape their cities and their environment.
(https://www.architectureandchildren-uia.com/)