Ruben D'Hont

Someday, we will be able to say, "We met Ruben D'Hont before he became a famous designer."  

Ruben D'Hont of Belgium

Ruben is a twenty-five year old young man from Belgium.  I first heard about him in March from Reverend Nicolette at House of Resurrection (AIDS Haven).  She told us she was waiting for new architectural drawings from a student in Belgium.  I stupidly thought, "Oh, what will a student be able to do.  She'll be disappointed, and have to start over."  Was I ever wrong!

In April, we all had the pleasure to meet Ruben in person, see his designs and experience his passion for Haven.  Ruben first came here when he was nineteen years old; he has been back every year since.  He says of that time, "You wouldn’t believe how the Haven looked six years ago.  It was a sad place.  All the children slept in the one wing way in the back.  Every day, the children had to pass all the rooms where people were dying.  They were constantly reminded that this was their destiny."  When Ruben left, he was haunted by thoughts of the kids left behind at Haven.

He promised, "I will do what I can."

Ruben has two passions in life:  Architecture and Haven.  He went to school in part to assist Haven.  He started studying architecture, but found the discipline irrelevant.  "The developing 3rd world is not taught or even thought about in my architecture school, or in any school.  Yet townships and township homes are so important for architects to think about.  For too long, we have been blind to this part of the world.  We need to attend not just to people with money, but also those without money.  It doesn't take money - only time - to develop a project that is both good and cheap.  Keeping my promise to Haven has affected how I think, how I design.  I call what I am doing “social architecture” – doing good, while doing architecture."

He has designed individual "homes"that are simple and aesthetic.  One thing he is adamant about is that each cottage is two-story (with an eventual second floor deck) so the children can always look over the wall into the world they will one day go.  He has designed separate transitional housing on the premises, where the kids can live once they turn 17-20, and still have (limited) assistance and supervision.  He says, " This is my favorite part of the design, because it represents the South African way.  It is what families do here – they build a small shack or house in their own backyard for older children.  This is how South African families let their children go." 

He has designed much more.  I would love to show anyone his designs sometime.  They are impressive, and absolutely key to House's re-creation.  He's used input from all the people at Haven.  He's adapted the designs because of perspectives he's heard from the children!  Ruben still has to get his jury to officially sign off on his Master's degree, but as far as I am concerned -  his design is his first masterpiece!