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University : Cairo University
Tutor(s) : Dr. Mohammed Noeman and Toka Hassan
Project Description
Blooming Houses is an innovative project designed to address the urgent need for efficient and humane refugee shelter in conflict zones like Gaza. The project utilizes stackable container units that can be assembled into a multi-story tower within just one week, providing a swift and substantial improvement over traditional tents. Each container unit, expandable to 120 square meters, can accommodate two families, and the tower includes three types of units to adapt to different family sizes.
The tower’s vertical design reduces the required land area to just 1/5 of what is needed for tents, optimizing space use in densely populated areas. The structure is supported by a steel framework anchored with helical piles, which can be extended if additional space is required.
Central to the project is its sustainable and self-sufficient approach. The tower generates power through a biogas system that utilizes human and food waste, reducing reliance on external resources. The podium of the tower, constructed from the same containers used for delivery, houses essential facilities: clinics with emergency medical services, a community school, an administration section for managing logistics, and a biogas power plant. Additionally, a central courtyard provides communal spaces for social interaction, fostering community cohesion.
Blooming Houses offers a scalable, adaptable solution that not only meets immediate shelter needs but also provides long-term sustainability and can be relocated and reused globally, addressing refugee crises in various contexts.
Established in 2012, Tamayouz Excellence Award is an unaffiliated, independent initiative that aims to advance the profession of architecture academically and professionally. Tamayouz is dedicated to supporting aspirational and transformative projects that tackle local and global challenges and that are informed by a holistic understanding of context.