Archive Global began as independent travel and research grant awarded to founder Peter Williams by Columbia University. Peter’s research focused on issues relating to fear, epidemics, public health policy planning, and the built environment. Founded as the Archive Institute in 2006, the organization initially facilitated cross-disciplinary research from leading academics and professionals from the social sciences, medicine, architecture, and construction. Over the years, the organization has expanded its mission into implementing targeted interventions to the built environment, mostly around improving the inadequate existing housing stock in order to combat preventable diseases, and measuring the impact these interventions have on the health and quality of life of the family members.
After several years of working together in close partnership with the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) the two organizations officially joined forces in April 2023 to advance their common mission of creating healthy equitable cities and communities for all. Since healthy housing is a key aspect of that mission Archive's legacy, current projects and leadership have moved to ISUH's new flagship Healthy Housing program. Archive Global's Executive Director, Sarah Ruel-Bergeron, RA, has joined their team as Director of Strategic Initiatives & Healthy Housing.