Haven

Project Name: Haven

Location: Nahr Eshe, Damascus

Function: Urban Complex

Project Size: 7,230 sqm

Project Theme

Architecture plays an important role in creating a sense of belonging. The more a place gives back to us , the more we define it as “home”. The informal settlements as a result of the war have created places with no identity and stripped its people of any trace of belonging. The more the people in these communities live in places as stark and bleak, the more neglected they are in society. The environment thus inhibits any room for change for a better life.

Site Potential and Location

The site is located in Nahr Eshe. Damascus. It is one of the many derelict informal settlements impacted by the influx of refugees from different cities in Syria. The community is very neglected architecturally, economically, and even socially. The typology of the buildings in the area are almost all residential with no outlet for creativity, knowledge, energy, and even hope. As part of the site analysis , the movement on site portrayed the everyday “escape” from the neighborhood ,to other areas in Damascus, in hopes of earning money from extremely low paying jobs . Child labor is also very evident in the community. The site is close to Al Midan and the Old City which are important landmarks in Damascus. It is also on a main road surrounded by two pedestrian bridges, one on each side.

Project Design:

The aim of the project is to uplift and service communities impacted by war by targeting the 5 elements lost during war .

1- Loss of cohesion and community

2- Loss or cultural heritage

3- Loss of human life

4- Loss of knowledge

5- Loss of Hope

Each of these losses have impacted the project’s program division . It creates spaces that invite them to stay in the neighborhood and view it as "home" rather than feel the need to escape it everyday to fight to survive.

In addition, the project is inspired by the connectivity and integration of the old Syrian marketplace into the urban fabric. Thus, the project breaks down the marketplace into modules that can be placed anywhere on site to mimic the connectivity and rich social interaction the old souqs had. The project submerges its main functions underground as to not disrupt the limited movement on the ground floor. The journey begins as the users approaches the ramps that lead them to the various underground functions and ends their journey with the observatory as a symbol of hope.

`Site Location