Quick Summary
100 Hours for Housing started with a memory, not a metric. Growing up in Spain, community was built into everyday life through shared courtyards and close neighbours. Living in Canada now, that sense of connection feels harder to find, and it shows in how lonely many neighbourhoods have become. This post shares the thinking behind a long-term commitment to support more affordable, community-oriented housing, including donating time and speaking fees to Habitat for Humanity GTA. It is a slow, intentional project rooted in the belief that design can help people feel less alone.
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My country has a loneliness problem. And I think design has something to do with it.
That’s why I’ve started a project called 100 Hours for Housing.
An Architecture Lesson from Spain
Growing up, I spent time living in Madrid, Spain. I lived in courtyard buildings, the kind where life happened between the apartments.
I knew my neighbours.
I watered their plants when they travelled.
I overheard conversations, laughter, arguments and the occasional lovemaking session (!!!) through open windows.
Was it inconvenient sometimes? Sure. But it was also fulfilling. Community was built into the architecture.
In Canada, where I live now, that kind of housing is rare. Most neighbourhoods aren’t designed for connection. And it shows. Loneliness is becoming the norm.
That’s what led me to start a project…
Donating Workshops
100 Hours for Housing is my commitment to support organizations addressing Canada’s missing middle housing challenge, who are building more affordable, community-oriented housing.
I am volunteering 100 hours and donating 50% of my speaking fees to Habitat for Humanity GTA.
So far, I have completed 18 hours and raised $1,400. At this pace, I estimated it will take about 5 years to finish. It is a long game, and I am fully committed.
If you would like to support the project, here are a few ways to get involved:
- Attend a workshop this year (50% of proceeds are donated to Habitat for Humanity GTA).
- Invite me to speak at a meet-up or conference (here’s my speaking resume)
- Or simply forward this email to someone who might care about housing and design
Let’s create more affordable housing!
Daniela
