Hexaqua: Climate-Responsive Floating Housing for Refugees and Migrant Workers in Şanlıurfa

As climate change, displacement, and migration continue to challenge contemporary societies, the architectural world is turning to climate-responsive modular housing as a long-term, humane solution. One such proposal, Hexaqua, stands out for its innovation and sensitivity to the socio-environmental context. Designed by Onuralp Zengin and İldem Çınar, Hexaqua is a visionary response to the Plugin Housing Challenge 2020, and was honored with the Institutional Excellence Award for its groundbreaking approach.

Located in Şanlıurfa, a city in southeastern Turkey with a population of over 1.9 million, the region is historically rich but presently burdened with issues arising from seasonal agricultural labor migration. Workers often endure harsh, unsanitary, and unsafe living conditions due to the lack of suitable infrastructure. Hexaqua proposes a floating modular housing system rooted in sustainability, scalability, and comfort.

The project draws inspiration from the Mesopotamian terrain and uses a hexagonal modular layout as its core spatial logic. The housing units are arranged over a wetland-like water base, promoting cooling and comfort in the arid climate of Şanlıurfa, where summer temperatures can exceed 38°C. By integrating water bodies, shading strategies, and elevation techniques, the design enhances thermal comfort and facilitates community interaction.

Key Features of Hexaqua:

• Hexagonal Modules: Each unit is composed of adaptable hexagonal blocks that can be expanded or contracted based on the number of occupants, allowing flexibility and growth.
• Elevated Platforms: The housing units are raised on structural columns, allowing wind and water to pass underneath. This technique improves ventilation and mitigates heat.
• Cooling Microclimates: The project creates a network of ponds and shaded areas beneath and around the structures, ensuring that the temperature within the settlement remains livable even during extreme heat.
• Phased Evolution: Through iterative design refinement, the final model prioritizes solar orientation, community gathering spaces, and minimal ecological impact.

The structural system uses removable and reconfigurable wall panels, allowing each housing unit to be disassembled and relocated or reused with ease. The base connection between the structure and the support columns is smartly recessed to maintain structural integrity while offering flexibility.

A Model for Climate-Resilient Housing Hexaqua doesn’t just offer a shelter; it presents a climate-adaptive architectural framework for emergency housing, capable of responding to both environmental and social challenges. It is a bold rethink of the traditional refugee camp, transforming it into a livable, breathable, and community-driven habitat.

In a time where architecture must address urgent humanitarian needs and climate pressures simultaneously, Hexaqua emerges as a beacon of innovation. It aligns with the larger movement of climate-responsive architecture that champions contextual design, sustainability, and human dignity.

By utilizing modularity, water, and geometry, Onuralp Zengin and İldem Çınar’s vision invites architects and policymakers alike to reconsider what refugee and migrant housing can and should be.

Project Title: HexaquaDesigners: Onuralp Zengin, İldem Çınar

Challenge: Plugin Housing Challenge 2020

Recognition: Institutional Excellence AwardLocation: Şanlıurfa, Turkey