A space that acts as a vessel in reviving the destructed neighborhoods and encouraging inhabitants to come back in post war Syrian society.

The Syrian Civil War is one of the worst humanitarian crises, that has entered its eighth year. There are a lot of plans for post-war reconstruction, and most of these plans are for the complete demolition of the existing damaged fabric by replacing it with a new urban fabric. But in the process, the participation of the community in these reconstructing plans is completely missing.

Post-war effects are widely spread and can be long term or short term. Meaningful post-war redevelopment should consider the balance between architectural infrastructure, public health provision, and social order. Reducing the importance of one of these three axes can lead to a collapse of social structure, services, education, health care, and also has a long-term impact on society.

The main focus should be on understanding how communities can be involved in the rehabilitation of these aspects.

When we look at the image of the ancient cities in the Middle Eastern regions, we see the urban texture that extends horizontally according to the needs of societies. If we bring the image closer, we see the paths that extend like veins reaching to the unit that forms all this beauty. At the center stage of this discovery often is the ancient mud house.

Ancient mud houses are the basis of societies in these regions. Especially since they are built by the inhabitants, from their land, and to serve their environment. It is a sustainable urban social and functional fabric that varies between cities and rural areas.

Brief: The cost of war cannot be quantified but the price Syria has to pay now is much more than it can afford. And even if we assume that the conflict is solved, still the daily life they used to live is impaired.  It is the community of people in Syria that have suffered the most and without including them, the significance of the place will perish.

Challenge was to create a space that acts as a vessel in reviving the destructed neighborhoods and encouraging inhabitants to come back. A space that respects the past, responds to the present, and incorporates the possibility of a bright future for Syria.

A space that reinterprets the ancient mud house and uses it as a tool for a cultural revival.

 

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals, and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Atanas Zhelev, Ceo, Digital Architects, Austria

Baerbel Mueller, Associate Professor / Mag.arch / Head / Owner, [applied] Foreign Affairs, University of Applied Arts Vienna; nav_s barbel Mueller, Austria

Gregorio Lubroth, Principal, TZOU LUBROTH ARCHITEKTEN, Austria

Some of the Best of competition projects are:

 

Winning Project: Sky Dome

By: Mohamed Abdellatif, Eda nur Subaşı & Melike İnce

     

Description: We are all one under the dome of the sky.

-----------------

People’s Choice: Echo of Civilization

By: Sara Krzysztyniak

Description: Reinterpretation of the ancient mud house and using it as a tool for a cultural revival.

-----------------

Editor’s Choice: Echos of a Civilization

By:  Nora Bretting

Description: During the reconstruction of a city, it makes sense to first create a living for the people who are returning at the same time, the building should also represent added value for the people who already live in zamalka.

 

---

 

Discover the design brief here: 

https://uni.xyz/competitions/echo-of-civilization/info/about   

Discover the full results here: https://uni.xyz/competitions/echo-of-civilization/entries     

---

Follow us on social media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Youtube

---

Discover other design competitions to participate here: https://uni.xyz/competitions