The Architecture Lobby—an organisation that advocates for architectural workers and for the value of architecture in the general public has issued a call to for architects to resist the Department of Homeland Security’s recent presolicitation announcement pertaining to the proposed United States-Mexico border wall project.
The group is advocating for architects and engineers to participate in a day of action aimed at showing opposition to the project that, the organisation contends, exploits the labour or architects and designers in the service of xenophobia, discrimination, and racism.
So far more than 300 firms have expressed interest in Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s pre-solicitation. Trump’s xenophobic campaign steps closer to built validation. The controversial project, a promise which was at the crux of Trump’s campaign, could supposedly cost U.S. taxpayers USD 15 billion to USD 40 billion or as Carolina Miranda of the LA Times puts it, “101 to 270 times the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts.”
Meanwhile, concrete construction firm LafargeHolcim can now be found on the list. The Swiss-French company is America’s top cement producer and is primed to rake in a hefty reward if and when Trump’s wall goes ahead. The company is also involved in further controversy in the Middle East having recently admitted to unacceptable activity in Syria as it paid third parties for help with armed groups around a plant. New York firm Victoria Benatar ARCHITECT PLLC is also listed as an interested vendor on the FBO.
(Source:archpaper.com)
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