Healthabitat director and architect Paul Pholeros died suddenly in January 2016. Paul was a great contributor to Global Studio Istanbul, Vancouver, Johannesburg and Bhopal, and from 2012 worked with WASSUP, the WorldSkills organization and Sticky Situations to improve toilets and sanitation in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.

Healthabitat began in 1988 in a remote Aboriginal community, when Paul, a doctor (Paul Torzillo), and an anthropologist (Stephan Rainow) were invited by the Pitjantjatjara people to work with a local team to ‘stop people getting sick’. For decades Healthabitat worked with, and trained, Indigenous communities to improve housing and health. He did similar work in Nepal, bringing sanitation to many villagers and increasing the skills of local people.

Healthabitat went on to receive national and international recognition for its groundbreaking work in Australia and abroad: the UIA Vassilis prize in 2008, the AIA Sustainability Award and the World Habitat Award, both in 2011. Healthabitat was selected to show its work in the Australian pavilion at 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale.

Paul has been honored as a ‘champion of change’ by the ACT Government and Pholeros Way, a public street in Canberra, will be dedicated in 2019. The Paul Pholeros Foundation will continue Paul’s unique approach to improving peoples’ lives in Nepal.

We share some of the many tributes to Paul

• Pholeros.. fearless architect
• Paul Pholeros renowned architect
• Vale Paul Pholeros
• Paul Pholeros who helped reduce indigenous poverty
• Paul Pholeros advocate and architect

We remember Paul’s wisdom and generosity of spirit in Bhopal, India, and thank him for his support of Global Studio.