Oasyleum: A Vision for Resilient Desert Urbanism in the Sahara

Designed for the unforgiving climate of the Sahara, Oasyleum is a visionary proposal for resilient desert architecture that adapts to extreme conditions while drawing from vernacular Islamic-Arabic traditions. Created by architects Mateusz Mulica and Błażej Wendrowski, the project was shortlisted in the Extreme Habitat Challenge (EHC) – Sahara edition.

Rethinking the Oasis: A Self-Sustaining Urban Model

Set in Mauritania’s desert, Oasyleum reinterprets the concept of an oasis as a high-density, self-sufficient city that houses up to one million people. The masterplan integrates floral geometry and polygonal modules, creating a layout that promotes environmental stability, social inclusivity, and urban harmony. The design also anticipates future Hyperloop connectivity to major global hubs like New York and Mumbai.

Environmental Adaptation Through Vernacular Strategies

With annual rainfall under 50mm and extreme temperature swings, the environmental conditions are among the harshest on Earth. Oasyleum addresses these with passive cooling systems such as arched roofs, wind catchers, domes, and underground water storage—principles rooted in vernacular architecture. By using local materials like mud brick, limestone, and palm wood, the habitat embraces a low-carbon construction philosophy.

Modular and Mixed-Use Planning

The design is based on a repeating pentagonal module that merges live, work, and play zones. Each district is centered around a mosque and a community hub, with the density of buildings decreasing outward into single-family housing and open green spaces. This hierarchy allows the city to scale organically while maintaining communal and cultural coherence.

Socio-Spatial Equity

Oasyleum’s accommodation units reflect socio-economic diversity, from simple rectangular blocks to complex integrated forms. The evolution of form in both residential and public architecture showcases how design can adapt to varying wealth levels while preserving collective identity.

A Blueprint for the Future of Arid Region Architecture

Oasyleum offers more than just a survival strategy—it proposes a holistic model for future desert urbanism. By aligning resilient desert architecture with climate-conscious technologies and human-centered urban planning, the project stands as a scalable blueprint for sustainable cities in arid zones around the world.

Project by Mateusz Mulica and Błażej Wendrowski

Shortlisted Entry – Extreme Habitat Challenge (EHC) Sahara