From Crisis to Community

F R O M

C R I S I S

T O

C O M M U N I T Y

from crisis to community the Architecture of

Integration

M. Arch. | Hammons school of Architecture | addison jones | fall 2016

Table of Contents

Introduction

1

Background The Crisis, Past and Pr esent Migration and the Temporar y Housing Movement Redefining the “Refugee�

5

Case Studies Haus Erdber g LM Village Refugee Accommodation

15

Conclusion

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Project Program

45

sources

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inte g r ate: t o f o r m , c o o r d i n a t e , o r b l e n d i n t o a functioning or unified whole.

-Webster’s Dictionary

introduction

In recent years, the global refugee crisis has intensified at an alarming rate.

Political and social tensions and even civil war in countries like Syria have increased rapidly since 2011, and caused an influx of refugees fleeing from the Syrian borders into many European and Western countries, especially neighboring countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

An estimated 11 million refugees have fled Syria since the beginning of their civil war in 2011 and found temporary settlement in any coun-

try willing to accept them.

Many of these receiving countries have political, environmental and social complexities of their own, which are only increased as they receive more and more refugees every day. Lebanon and Turkey have taken on the majority of temporary refugees. By the end of 2015, the population of Lebanon had grown over 25%, meaning 1 in every 5 people living in Lebanon were refugees. And that number has only continued to grow. Due to the poor conditions of many of these underindustrialized nations,

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refugees lack many of the necessary provisions such as adequate food and water as well as access to electricity and any means of contacting friends and relatives that had been left in Syria or were displaced elsewhere. They often wait weeks or even months in makeshift camp sites before making any contact with the outside world or getting transferred to an asylum.

These sorrounding countries may be the initial path of travel for the refugees, but the majority of these individuals and families are looking further into Europe and Western countries for complete separation from the devastation of their homes and the opportunity to begin a new life. Destination countries such as Germany, Sweden, UK, and the US are faced with very complex challenges as many of the refugees in these countries are

not only seeking temporary refuge, but a more permanent settlement and integration process.

The progression of this global crisis has brought to light the greater needs for refugees in receiving countries that have remained unaddressed, such as: 1 . c u lt u r a l i d e n t i t y 2. sense of belonging 3. recovery as victims of crisis.

The 2016 Architecture Biennale held in Venice, Italy, this year entitled “Reporting From the Front� recognized the growing need for architecture to respond to these global issues. In the introduction of the exhibition, curator Alejandro Arevena states, “on the one hand we would like to widen the range of issues to which architecture is expected to respond, add-

Intr oduction

is expected to respond, adding explicitly to the cultural and artistic dimensions that already belong to our scope,

those that are on the social, political, economical and environmental end of the spectrum� (Arevena, 2016).

I am investigating this global crisis because I would l i k e t o f i n d o u t i n w h at ways a r c h i t e c t u r a l s o l u t i o n s can be applied to better integrate refugees into the social and economic fabric of receiving countries, and how architecture can encourage the global community to be a refuge for the displaced.

I hope to find ways in which architecture can not only facilitate the provision of basic human needs (food, water, shelter etc.), but can

Fig. 1

take the next step in addressing the greater human needs and the integration of culturally diverse populations.

4

Photo taken in April of 2015 of pregnat Syrian refugee, Wadhah Hamada, inside her tent at an informal settlement near the Syrian border in Jordan. She had no access to medical facilities to oversee the pregnancy.

Fig. 2

background

The Crisis, Past and Present

The refugee crisis may be new to Syria, but the world has experienced this level of displacement many times before. Many national and global wars throughout the world as well as political corruption and oppression have ravanged countries and regions, causing mass population migrations and displacement into neighboring territory and other countries.

For centuries, refugees would flee their homeland and seek refuge in unclaimed territory where they would then be able to

pioneer a new way of life, a new culture, and often a new government. Venice, Italy, for example, was created by refugees seeking refuge from invading armies, and is now one of the most unique, beautiful, and tourist-visited cities in the world. The city has many common Italian features within the culture and architecture, but it is without a doubt very unique place, full of people who are proud of their heritage and history.

In todays world, refugees find themselves in a very different situation. There are no “uncharted waters� for

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individuals to pioneer. The pilgrims in todays world are entering into a pre-established society and culture that is often much different than their own. The dynamic of this new interraction is dependent on both host and migrant and can be both either very hostile and/or peaceful.

While peaceful social integration of culturally diverse populations may be the ideal outcome of migration, it is not often the case. Naturally, both parties involved favor the continuation of their cultural identity over the other. “Through cross-cultural interactions, hybrid cultures emerge from habits and norms once identified with different cultures. This process of “cultural integration” can fuel social tensions, as reflected in campaigns to protect existing cultures and in anti-globalization movements. These and other manifestations of cul-

tural protectionism are often motivated by the perception that cross-cultural influences favor the spread of one particular culture at the expense of others” (Kuran, 2007). As we have seen throughout history, the mentality of cultural heirarchy often results in the development of ghettos or segregated communities.

The Response

Out of all the industrialized nations that Syrian refugees are migrating to for permanent settlement, the largest influx has been to countries such as Germany, Sweden, the UK, and the US. These countries have not only been the most receptive places of refuge, but also the most capable of providing the basic needs of these migrants.

Despite the resources available in these highly developed countries, it is still a very long process for so many individu-

Backgr ound

Fig. 3 individuals to receive documentation, legitimization, and eventually full integration into society.

The most common response to the massive population increase has been the development of temporary housing asylums or camps. These developments are often situated in abandoned arenas, fields, or other installations often segregated from the host city, and most importantly, from interraction with the local popula-

tion. The high demand for quick and cheap housing units often results in structures constructed by the refugees themselves.

They are typically makeshift structures made out of recycled and unconventional building materials. The units are designed as simplistic as possible in order to provide the basic needs of safety and refuge for the greatest number of refugees.

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Despite the crudeness of these units, they are in fact the homes of these migrant residents. In some cases, these individuals take great pride in developing these installations as not only a temporary home, but a community. In an interview with a refugee at a temporary housing camp in Vienna, Austria, Kimberly Bradley records Syrian native, Ahmad, stating his thoughts regarding the camp. “In Vienna he could have lived with his brother, who fled Syria to avoid serving in Austria in

2014. But Ahmad chose to live in the shelter... for the company and community� (Bradley, 2016). Many camps in Austria as well as other receiving countries have found ways to develop temporary housing camps that allow residents to participate in the quality of their living conditions and community.

Though these refugee camps have been the most efficient solution to the growing issue thus far, their true effectiveness has often been questioned.

A r e t h e s e c a m p s t r u ly r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e n e e d s o f t h e r e f u g e e s ? A n d m o r e s p e c i f i c a l ly, a r e t h e a r c h i t e c t u r al interventions addressing the greater human needs o f b e l o n g i n g , i d e n t i t y, a n d c u lt u r e ?

Other responses to these shelters have not been quite as positive. In Greece, many refugees have found their place of refuge to be much less restorative or communal. In a study done by This American

Life, many refugees were interviewed in 5 different refugee camps throughout Greece in order to assess the living conditions of their camps.

They found that the vast majority of the 57,000 refugees

Backgr ound

Many individuals cannot work, and those who can, cannot find any jobs. Some of these migrants hear about the comparative conditions in other European countries and can’t help but feel frustrated with the conditions of their current situation.

One resident has placed a sign in his window as a statement of their conditions. The sign reads, “My son is very happy in Germany. We hope to share that happiness� (This American Life, 2016). Most refugees have no money to purchase their own food from local markets, and rely heavily on the government services to provide meals for them. In Greece, many refugees believe the Greek army is intentionally providing spoiled food for them. While this is most likely a false conspiracy theory, there is no arguing the poor condition of many of these camps.

Many countries also have initiatives in place that al-

lows refugees the opportunity to be paired with a local individual and share a flat or apartment. They have to register online and provide basic information in order to be paired accordingly. The system is a great way for refugees to better integrate into the social fabric of their destination and avoid the often demeaning and stressful environment of a refugee camp.

Although, with the immense demand for immediate housing, this system simply cannot respond at the level necessary to provide for even a fraction of the refugees fleeing Syria.

At this point, less than 1,000 refugees have successfully been paired with a flatmate.

Currently, the temporary housing camps may not appear to be the most ideal response to the heavy population influx in many cities, but it seems to be the most efficient and effective solution. Yet, the question remains. Are the archi-

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architectural interventions and solutions to the issue of mass migration addressing the greater human needs of belonging and cultural identity? And are these interventions truly improving the human condition?

Redefining the “Refugee” Lenka Reinerová wrote of her outlook on refugee camps in her book At Home in Prague - and sometimes somewhere else, after living several years as a refugee. “Can we even speak of living in accommodation which is forced upon someone? Does the bird in the brightly polished cage in the brightly polished kitchen live? Does the lion in the perfectly equipped and dimensioned enclosure in the zoo live? Can you live if your natural freedom has been taken away? Sometimes you have to whether you want to or not.” (Reinerová, 1943)

This sense of a trapped and lifeless condition is a feeling shared by many migrants who have abandoned their homes in order to pursue a new future. Many individuals lose contact with family, they lose their reputation and accomplishments, and their sense of belonging and purpose. They become infants in a new and unfamiliar land and they find themselves at the mercy of their circumstance. Kimberly Bradley addresses a question in her editorial of the Austrian project Places for People, in response to a refugee author, Hannah Arendt, from the second World War, “Arendt knew that the displaced lose their sense of community, their identity, their grounding. Can identity or community be reconstructed...or are they merely recast, translated, patched together?” She later goes on to probe the topic deeper and

Backgr ound

begs the question, “how can new places - nations, cities, but also shelters - become homes?” (Bradley, 2016)

Are we as designers creating spaces and structures for the betterment of the human condition? Is that truly the basis of every design and intention? As the refugee crisis escalates, and more migrants flow out of Syria desperately seeking refuge, are we more concerned about the negative impacts this mass migration will have on the economy, resources, and our way of life? Or the potential positive impact that architecture could have on the condition of displaced human beings?

The architects of the Austrian interventions in Vienna made it very clear what their objective and priority was from the very beginning of their design process. “... the elementary roles and con-

stituent characteristics of architecture include the protection of people and the creation of humane living spaces and the basic conditions for a functioning communal life.”

(Muhr, 2016)

In addressing such large global issues like the refugee crisis, it is easy to forget that every single refugee is an individual first. They are all people with a personality, culture and identity that deserve the same attention and service as any other individual. The current circumstance or situation of any individual does not define them, therefore it should not determine the extent of their support or ones architectural intentionality towards them.

Integration is a vital part of migration. Not only the integration of the individual to the host, but also the integration of the host to the individual.

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Fig. 4

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “integrate” as, “to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified whole.”

The displaced individuals who are in the process of integrating with the culture and identity of the receiving country and city are an integral aspect of the community becoming a whole. They are in no way a burden or a parasite to a nation, as is often the perception. In todays globalized world, the integration of

cultures is in fact the future of a nations identity. It is the responsibility of architects to create the environment of this interraction and to do their best to successfully integrate them into a place, and transition them from crisis to community.

Backgr ound

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Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

case studies

Haus Erdber g LM Village Refugee Accommodation

Austria

Fig. 8

case studies

Haus Erdber g architect

location date

design initiative

EOOS Design Group in collaboration with the curators of the Architecture Biennale 2016 Austrian Pavilion Vienna, Austria November, 2015- Initial design

and conce ptualization Fe br u ar y, 2016- First architectural

inter ventions be gan installation Social Fur niture: Living, Cooking, Working

19 Haus Erdber g

Fig. 9

Haus Erdberg is a refugee housing installation project in Vienna, Austria.

As part of the Austrian Exhibit in the 2016 Architecture Bienalle in Venice, Italy, the exhibit theme was centered on Architectural interventions that address social and environmental issues among others at a global scale. Haus Erdberg is one of three projects commissioned by the Austrian team that addresses the need for semi-permanent housing for the growing

number of refugees fleeing to Austria.

This project specifically focuses on the needs of residents that are forced to stay in these temporary installations for weeks, months, or even years at a time. Haus Erdberg occupies a former customs office in Vienna that contains an excess amount of unused space, therefore qualifying as a perfect candidate for hosting temporary refugee housing.

EOOS, the design

Case Studies

group responsible for Haus Erdberg, intended their design to respond in very basic, functional ways, in order to address the foundational aspects of life and social engagement. The project entitled prioritized three main aspects of the daily human life to engage with through their design: living, cooking, and working.

The building has been used as emergency housing space for refugees since 2014, but it was lacking in any sort

Fig. 10

of communal gathering space.

While emergency shelters are absolutely necessary, EOOS took it upon themselves to engage with the residents to develop communal furniture in order to encourage social interraction and communication.

The primary design feature of this installation is the community workshop fully equipped with all tools necessary for constructing small furniture pieces and other carpentry elements.

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21 Haus Erdber g

Fig. 11

Fig. 12

Case Studies

Fig. 13 EOOS provided the plans and schemes for the residents who were then able to produce their own furniture and community spaces. Some of the furniture pieces include a large mobile kitchen island, tables, chairs, shelving systems and much more.

The intent behind the workshop is to not just provide common spaces and functional community furniture, but to equip and empower these individuals to be selfsustained. This idea not only gives them something to do, but it also gives them a sort of temporary occupation, small income, a sense of value again, and the opportunity

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

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23 Haus Erdber g

to engage with others around them who are in the same situation.

The inspiration behind this concept came from the idea of a Utopian island, originally imagined by a philospher, Thomas More, in 1516. In the eyes of EOOS, the Utopian island would be “self-sufficient in everything of importance because every

citizen of Utopia is obliged to work in the city and on the land for the welfare of all....

Everything that one needs to live - clothing, housing and food - is available, equally to all, reduced to that which is truly necessary.� (EOOS, 2016)

While this model may be a little far-fetched, EOOS engaged with the more fundamental

Fig. 16

Case Studies

ideas such as self-sufficiency, reduction to absolute necessities and the absence of money as the main economic element of transaction. They wanted their design to be “fundamentally not about ‘beautiful form,’ but more about impact” (EOOS, 2016). They wanted to create spaces and furniture that encourages residents to focus less on the negative situation and more on the positive opportunity for building community and relationships with other people.

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Gr eece

Fig. 17

case studies

LM Village development team

location

Mayor Nabil-Iosif Morad in collaboration with the Greek Defence Ministry Andravida-Kylini, Greece

date

March 2016- Renovations be gan

design initiative

Renovation of abandoned beach resor t

27 LM Village

“The beach, the houses, the running water … none of it solves the real problem, which is that the 57,000 refugees stuck in Greece don’t want to be there.”

- this american life

Due to the close proximity of Greece as Mediterranean country neighboring Syria, the past few years have seen a great rise in migrants entering their borders. This has only added to the already overwhelming economic and social tensions swelling in Greece. But when AndravidaKylini mayor and Syrian native, Nabil-Iosif Morad, was asked to accomodate over 57,000 incoming Syrian refugees, he had more unconventional solution.

LM Village is a coastal beach resort which, due to the economic collapse in Greece, had previously been standing completely abandoned for the past 5 years. It now provides unique housing and accomodation for over 300 refugees

who now live in near luxury in comparison to typical refugee camps and housing projects. Refugees have full access to beaches, playgrounds, community spaces, kitchens, and their own personal bungalows.

Fig. 18

Fig. 19

Case Studies

Fig. 20

Fig. 21

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29 LM Village

Fig. 22

Fig. 23

Case Studies

Fig. 24

Despite the seemingly “luxurious accomodations, residents can’t help but feel slightly isolated in their current situation while they

protest and speak out against their Greek hosts. Especially as many refugees hear about the great opportunities in Germany where other refu-

await their more permanent relocation. Many refugees are very grateful for the hospitality and provision of the Greek government, but the reality of the economic and social crisis in Greece effects their ability to truly provide basic necessities for the migrants.

Lack of quality food and the opportunity to work has driven many residents to

gees have settled.

Their frustration is common in many camps where refugees care less about fancy accomodations and more about the opportunities they are given to seek out work opportunities and get back on their feet again.

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Ger many

Fig. 25

case studies

Refugee Acommodation architect

location

Fiedler + Partner, in collaboration with Andreas Adldinger Langenbach, Germany

completion date

Febr uar y 201 6

design initiative

New refugee accommodation fa cility with fle xible prog r amatic design for longevity and future re pur posing oppor tunities

33 Refugee Accommodation

Fig. 26

Fig. 27

Case Studies

The Refugee Accommodation housing project is a brand new facility that provides housing for a maximum of 78 refugees at a time. The facility is located Langenbach, Germany, near Munich.

The facility responds to the need for cheap yet sustainable housing for the growing number of refugees entering into many German cities. As opposed to most emergency housing units, this facility provides quality amenities and utilities for the comfort and security of its residents.

Many refugee camps today struggle to provide the necessary privacy for individuals. Most refugees are forced to live in shelters with no more than bed sheets separating their “bedroom� from the rest of the community. Most refugees are also expected to use the same (and often limited) showers, bathrooms, and

sleeping quarters, without consideration of gender, age, religious needs, or any other aspect of themselves that may require separation. Their individuality is therefore removed from them at the very root of their self-identity and culture.

While every individual need and necessity is impossible to fulfill with the constraints of time and budget that goes along with immediate housing, the Refugee Accommodation in Langenbach attemps to address these needs through programatic orientation. The facility provides as much separation of public and private space as possible for individuals to both interract with the community as well as have privacy when needed.

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35 Refugee Accommodation

Fig. 28

Case Studies

Fig. 29

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37 Refugee Accommodation

Fig. 30

Fig. 32

Fig. 33

Fig. 31

Case Studies Fig. 34 st ud e n t d o r m i t o ry

h ome l e s s s h e lte r

co m m un i t y co l l e g e ca m pus

kind er garte n

Refugee accommodation

mu s ic s c h ool

Reinhard Fiedler of Fiedler + Partner designed this facility not only for the current accommodation needs of the growing refugee population, but he had a very long term goal in mind as well.

Sustainability and longevity were two of the key elements that drove the design process from the beginning. The program functions as a very flexible space that could serve a variety of purposes with a few simple modifications and rearrangements. Some potentional adaptations of the

co m m er ci al o f f i ce s

facility include a kindergarten, homeless shelter, student dormitory, commercial offices, as well as the site of a community college or school of music.

This intentionality throughout the design process proves the success of this facility as a project that not only address the current issues, but is also proactive in preparing for future needs of the community.

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“Design must become an innovative , highl y creative , cross- disciplinar y tool responsive to the tr ue needs of men�

-Victor Papanek

conclusion

Key Points 1

Millions of refugees continue to flee Syria seeking permanent refuge in welcoming European and Western nations.

2

Many receiving countries are ill-equipped to support even the basic needs of these refugees

3

Research has shown that many responses to this global crisis, such as emergency housing and refugee centers, fail to address the greater human needs of culture and identity that is easily lost through forced migration.

4

The preser vation of cultur al identity as well as social immer sion are equally impor tant elements of the integ r ation process.

5

Architecture has both the ability and the responsibility to facilitate and encour age tr ue inte g r ation of cultur ally diver se populations.

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In order to address the issue of the global refugee crisis through architectural solutions, one must first address the issues of intention and purpose of design within architecture itself. Victor Papanek states in his book Design for the Real World, “Design must become an innovative, highly creative, cross- disciplinary tool responsive to the true needs of

men” (Papanek, 1971). Architects must hold themselves to a standard above what may be expected of others when it comes to social influence.

Following the same model as Papanek described, EOOS design group believes that design is “a tool for creating a better world, in particular for socially marginalized people, and as a motor for social change.” (EOOS, 2016)

T h e r e f o r e , a r c h i t e c t u r e m u s t b e p r o a c t i v e ly i n f l u e n c i n g s o c i a l i n t e r r a c t i o n a n d c o m m u n i t y, a n d n o t s i m p ly a reaction to current conditions.

In this day and age, social and cultural tensions are at an all-time high, which has created a very hostile situation for refugees entering foreign countries. Even in very welcoming countries, refugees are often depicted as an added burden or strain on already struggling countries. Architecture has the ability and social responsibility to redefine

the refugee and encourage an attitude and idea of global community, justice, and integration. Many architectural solutions have responded well to the immediate needs of these refugees, and some have even gone as far as addressing the communal needs for interraction and communication within the refugee communities. Although, there is a

Conclusion

greater need for these refugees that has yet to be successfully addressed- the need for social integration of multiple people groups within a given city and country.

There is a fundamental conflict today with social acceptance and cultural expectations. Two very opposite issues are evident, and both issues restrict integration

One issue is found in many countries with great national pride. There is a sense of cultural tradition, history, and preservation that individuals hold to very closely. This patriotism can be very positive when expressing cultural identity that distinguishes them from other nations. Although, it can also become very hostile when national pride becomes a relentless attempt to preserve one culture over another. This happens when migrants are forced into “assimilation” upon ar-

rival as opposed to integration. The culture of the migrant can often be portrayed as secondary to the culture of the receiving country, therefore replacing the individuals identity with the identity of the greater population. Many migrants are then simply being transferred from one crisis of oppression to another.

The other issue is found in many progressive nations that prioritize equality for all individuals. This idea in itself is very positive and valid at it’s root. The issue is when the idea of equality becomes blurred with the idea of “sameness.” When individuals are forced to be equal in every way, they lose the sense of identity, individuality, and other qualities that distinguish themselves. These two issues must be addressed in order for true integration to be accomplished.

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It is easy, and almost natural, for one to ignore cultural, racial, or religious conflict when the identity, culture, or heritage of a given individual is not the one at stake.

Although, as global conflict and oppression shifts from one people group to the next, those who are not victims today may be victims tomorrow.

That is why architecture must be a facilitator of space that betters the lives of ALL individuals, and why we must ALL be a refuge for the displaced, every day.

The greatest challenge at hand is creating a space that provides two primary elements that often seem contradictory: the element of -individual identityand the element of -social integration-

There must be a space that allows individual refugees to celebrate their cultural identity, language, religion and traditions as well as facilitate the relocation and integration of these individuals from a place of crisis to a place of community.

Conclusion

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Refugee childr en at a r efugee camp in Turkey

Fig. 35

project program

Dessau Cultural Center

47

R ationale

A cer tain trend has become evident in Ar chitecture today, which is that most buildings are designed with one indi vidual, one social class, or one people g round in mind.

The prog r amatic spaces and the aesthetics are often ver y e xclusive and create

even more social division between people. It is r are to find a space that tr uly brings people together for peaceful inter r action- and not just people in the same occupation, social class, age, gender, or religion, but people of any and all people g roups.

A c o m m u n i t y c u lt u r a l c e n t e r w o u l d r e s p o n d t o t h e s e s o c i a l a n d c u lt u r a l i s s u e s by c r e at i n g a s pa c e t h at facilitates the expression of individual identity as well as encourages community interraction and integration of all individuals.

With carefully de signed prog r amatic spaces, the propos ed project will provide refugees with not only the provisions nec essar y to meet their basic human needs, but also the oppor tunities for self-e x pression as well as security and belonging within a safe community environment.

This will be the basis of

ever y decision throughout the design process in order to achieve the foundational pur pose of architectur al inter ventions; to create spaces for the better ment of all people.

In order for this to be accomplished, the fol lowing principles must be applied.

Pr oject Pr ogram

Dessau Cultural Center : Principles of Design 1

Safety

Refugees must first and foremost feel safe and secure

as many of them fled their country for that reason

2

Individual Empowerment

Services provided must equip refugees to pursue

individual betterment and full integration into society

3

Community Engagement

Refugees must be encouraged to engage with

the community in order to establish the sense

of belonging; one of the most foundational

elements of the human being

4

Cultur al Inte g r ation

Ther e must be a mutual r espect and

appr eciation for the di versity of heritage,

language, and race

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49

Fig. 36

Pr oject Pr ogram

Fig. 37

Dessau

Pr oposed Site location

population

Dessau, Germany (Dessau-Rosslau since 2007) Dessau proper: 77,973

distance

From Berlin: 78 miles From Ale ppo, Syria: 2,092 miles

context

At the junction of two major Ger man river s: Mulde and Elbe.

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Germany has been one of the few industrialized countries in Europe that has taken very serious measures to encourage refugee migration into the nation and provide sufficient support and resources for the individuals. They have also been experiencing decreasing populations and employment in many Eastern German cities.

It is for these reasons that an Eastern German city would naturally be a good candidate to host the proposed site for this project.

One city in particular has seen a significant decrease in population. Dessau (now Dessau-Rosslau) has nearly lost one third of it’s population since 1990. Many buildings, especially apartments have become vacant and unkept for the past several years causing a sort of “ghost-town” effect on a historical and beautiful city.

Dessau is home to the Bauhaus building which is famed for the modern and progressive design that was unprecedented during it’s construction in the 1920’s.

The city has always been known for it’s culturally diverse demographics and the many innovative design schools. Although, despite the rich culture and heritage of the city, the population and employment is projected to continue it’s decline for the next several years.

This poses a perfect scenario for refugees seeking asylum and permanent relocation. Due to the decreasing population, there are many opportunities for employment that is often difficult to find in refugee camps and other cities. Also, with the increased availability of housing, refugees will be able to find cheap housing more easily.

Pr oject Pr ogram

bauhaus

employment agency

federal govt. office

site

Fig. 38 hospital

train station

The proposed site is located at the junction of two major streets at the heart of Dessau. This location is prime for foot traffic and is also near many key features of the city including the Federal Government office, the main hospital, a large food market, the train station, the famous Bauhaus building and several schools

food market from elementary to university level. Although, the most important feature of the site is the close proximity of the employment agency office.

This will be a critical connection for the cultural center and will address one of the key challenges that refugees find upon arrival; employment.

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classes

Living dining

lecture

sleeping education

housing

[ d e s s a u c u lt u r a l c e n t e r ] gallery

park

c u lt u r e / arts

community performance

event space

Fig. 39

art education

Pr oject Pr ogram

Pr ogramatic Spaces housing

Education

culture/arts

community

Emergency housing is a crucial element of any refugee response center.

Housing units will be simple and temporary in design to encourage quick transition into more permanent housing in the city Educational facilities will be included, primarily for the use of language and cultural courses Cultur al and ar ts spaces will be centr al to the design and will include perfor mance and galler y space Community spaces must be inte g r ated into the prog r am in order to encour age inter r action be tween the refugees and residents of Dessau

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Along with the primary programatic spaces, some of the spatial concepts that will be pursued throughout the design process include the

private

separation of public/semipublic/private space, and flexibility and impermanence of space.

semi-public

public

Fig. 40

formation 1

Fig. 41

formation 2

Pr oject Pr ogram

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sources

59 Elke Delugan-Meissl, Sabine Dreher and Christian Muhr. “Places For People.”

Vienna, Austria. 2016 Ostrand, Nicole. “The Syrian Refugee Crisis,” Journal on Migration and Human Security. Volume 3 Number 3 (2015).

Tomkiw, Lydia. “European Refugee Crisis 2016,” International Business Times (2016). http://www.ibtimes.com/europe-refugee-crisis-2016-germany-integration-law-called-milestone-its-effectiveness-2373896 Timur Kuran, “Cultural Integration and it’s Discontents” (University of Duke, 2007) Hannah Arendt, “We Refugees,” in: Altogether Elsewhere: Writers on Exile, edited by Mark Robinson (New York 1994), p. 117 Heather Harvey, “A Brief History of Installation Art,” Magazine for the Arts.

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Images Cover page: http://moazedi.blogspot. com/2016_03_01_archive. html Fig. 1: http://www.ibtimes.com/ syrian-refugees-turkey face-exploitation-despair war-lingers-home-2110849 Fig. 2: ibid Fig. 3: original Fig. 4: http://www.theatlantic.com/ education/ar chive/2016/05/balancing integration-and-assim ilation-during-the-refugee crisis/482757/ Fig. 5: http://www.ortefuermen schen.at/index.php Fig. 6: http://inhabitat.com/mayor born-in-syria-converts abandoned-greek-resort into-a-sanctuary-for-refu gees/ Fig. 7: ibid Fig. 8: original Fig. 9: http://www.ortefuermen schen.at/index.php Fig. 10: ibid Fig. 11: ibid Fig. 12-16: ibid Fig. 17: original Fig. 18: http://inhabitat.com/mayor born-in-syria-converts abandoned-greek-resort-

into-a-sanctuary-for-refu gees/ Fig. 19-22: ibid Fig. 23: https://www.thisamerican life.org/greece/ Fig. 24: ibid Fig. 25: original Fig. 26: http://www.reinhardfiedler. de/arc_project/fluech tlingsunterkunft-langen bach/ Fig. 27-33: ibid Fig. 34: original Fig. 35: http://qz.com/851770/help syrias-refugee-children-by assigning-them-home work/ Fig. 36: original Fig. 37: original Fig. 38: original Fig. 39: original Fig. 40: original Fig. 41: original

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M. Arch. | Hammons school of Architecture | addison jones | fall 2016