MODELS OF SOCIAL HOUSING IN POST-WAR SYRIA

As the Syrian civil war has left millions of people without a home and has turned cities into ruins, a housing problem has arisen, especially for those with lower social standing. As a solution to this problem we are designing housing models adaptable to different urban areas, reflecting the past, the present, and the future.

As architects, not only do we have to design aesthetically admirable buildings, but also address all the aspects of the problem and see to the sociological implications and needs. We must be aware that we design spaces for real people and find solutions for their real problems. We emphasized the importance of culture, society, and the environment in which we create buildings. For Post-war Syria, we propose a modular system for family houses and residential apartment buildings. To meet diverse needs and to respond to different site conditions in chosen locations, we present different housing models in various shapes, sizes, and with various functions. The balance between the contemporary and the traditional is the fundament of the buildings constructed by our models, that can fit in either the old city centers – where they will resemble the rich tradition and culture – or in new modern neighborhoods – keeping aligned with the requirements for the new, fast-paced modern lifestyle. The courtyard shape, the optimal size of the modular building, the introvert facade orientation and the flexible design plan are reflections of the social, traditional, religious, and environmental challenges that we are facing on the territory of Syria. The courtyard shape and the introvert facade are providing a pleasant microclimate, protecting the inhabitants from a windy storm in winter and hot sunny days in the summer, and at the same time, it assures privacy from unwanted looks. Hospitality, as an important aspect of the Syrian social life, can be recognized in the direct connection of the living room with the courtyard, which provides a big central place for gathering; and the clear division between the public and the private rooms, assures privacy within the home itself. Through the models for post-war housing, we attempt to address the various problems and provide a framework for designing and building rational solutions. Housing models that offer maximum flexibility to the inhabitants and adapt to their needs are an example of how, in the most sustainable way, we are managing the reconstruction of cities in crisis.