Design Competition:
#ACT
Nigel Craddock – Marina Ajubita – Petros Tsoukalas
Feasibility and Conceptual Proposal:
Our response is developed on the understanding that the Al-Zaatari is not a transient place but a permanent conurbation that may be disassembled when political and economic stability has recovered in Syria. Even at this stage the rebuilding of infrastructure, of cities and of townships destroyed by the war will further delay the repatriation of its people.
First impressions of the Al-Zaatari camp show the cultural poverty that inevitably results from a short term emergency settlement gradually transforming to a semi-permanent urban model.Green landscape spaces, civic centres/ hubs, distinctive architectural forms, comfortable sheltered recreational areas, learning and health centres, mixed use areas, sufficient infrastructure in terms of lighting, drainage remain a structural problem for the whole site. Coupled with this is the lack of opportunities for women, the vulnerable and skilled people.
Given this our proposal sets a framework to enable a civic place within one of the twelve districts to celebrate a cultural identity and form a symbolic heart for the community. This model provides the opportunity to engage on a multiplicity of activities to ensure both well being and purpose – the market place is proposed to be named the Market Street Oasis.
First impressions of the Al-Zaatari camp show the cultural poverty that inevitably results from a short term emergency settlement gradually transforming to a semi-permanent urban model.Green landscape spaces, civic centres/ hubs, distinctive architectural forms, comfortable sheltered recreational areas, learning and health centres, mixed use areas, sufficient infrastructure in terms of lighting, drainage remain a structural problem for the whole site. Coupled with this is the lack of opportunities for women, the vulnerable and skilled people.
Given this our proposal sets a framework to enable a civic place within one of the twelve districts to celebrate a cultural identity and form a symbolic heart for the community. This model provides the opportunity to engage on a multiplicity of activities to ensure both well being and purpose – the market place is proposed to be named the Market Street Oasis.
Within the new square a series of facilities are provided as follows:
• Covered shelters to provide pop up retail/market stalls
• Raised landscaped square
• Main two storey civic community hub building.
• Perimeter landscaped area enclosing the new square
• Fabric canopies and ribbon shading the recreational square
• Dry compost male and female toilets with organic waste storage
• Aquafier layer to polycarbonate sheeting to capture night time moisture and atmospheric humidity.
• Covered shelters to provide pop up retail/market stalls
• Raised landscaped square
• Main two storey civic community hub building.
• Perimeter landscaped area enclosing the new square
• Fabric canopies and ribbon shading the recreational square
• Dry compost male and female toilets with organic waste storage
• Aquafier layer to polycarbonate sheeting to capture night time moisture and atmospheric humidity.
The Hub – Civic Community building
The Hub community building sets out a framework to enable a civic place
to celebrate a cultural identity and form a symbolic heart for the community.
The model provides the opportunity to engage on a multiplicity of activities
to ensure both well being and purpose. The facilities include flexible meeting
areas, that can be adapted to suit varying occupancies, and these in turn link
to external courtyards. To the first floor a secure IT suite is located with an
admin room and break out space.
PETROS TSOUKALAS ARCHITECT 