archstorming competition presents prototype shelters in mosul after war against ISIS

archstorming has just announced the winning projects for the ‘mosul postwar camp’ competition. the contest challenged architecture students and architects from all over the world to design provisional shelters that combine the essential humanitarian aid with social reintegration solutions for those people who return home after the end of the war against ISIS in iraq.

winning proposal by alexandre houdet, valentine aguiar, antonin belot and hans fritsch

the proposed location for archstorming‘s latest competition was the emblematic city of mosul, that ended up hosting some of the most bloody and decisive battles of the war. the international jury has included architects such as charles walker, director at zaha hadid architects, and experts in the field such as corinne gray, former specialist of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and current collaborator of the massachusetts institute of technology (MIT), among other recognized architects and experts. this jury took on the difficult task of choosing the winning projects among the proposals of contestants from more than 45 nationalities.

first phase of french team’s ‘impulse’ proposal

the finalist teams have proposed interesting solutions based on reused shipping containers, clay constructions, sandbags and other inexpensive and easily available materials in the area and even ingenious cooling systems for the extreme desert climate. the result of this contest shows that there are other ways to help returnees, supporting them in their long process of social reintegration and restoring dignity to their lives until they become citizens of their own home again.

second phase of ‘impulse’ — inhabitants begin to build around their fabric shelters

the first prize has been awarded to the team formed by alexandre houdet, valentine aguiar, antonin belot and hans fritsch, from nantes, france. their idea is to think of the project as a whole process, including the participation of the community. the proposal gathers groups of six families in clusters which will be shelters as much as places to create new social interactions. indeed, the modular structure design allows to transform the initial emergency tents into different housing projects achieved by families. in such a process, professionals just have to provide the frame and advice the inhabitants for the construction of their houses.

third phase of ‘impulse’ — the community can contribute to the construction of the houses

the second prize is titled ‘scaffolding city’ and has been presented by quang le from berlin, germany. in his project, the camp itself would undertake the task of cleaning and rearranging the ruined parts of the city during the war. he proposed a flexible model, which is not only a residence for the people, but also helps them to reform and repair their city systematically.

final phase of the ‘impulse’ proposal — from primary prefab structure to singular cluster

the third prize of archstorming’s ‘mosul postwar camp’ competition presents a project thought as a continue growing community, where the government provides basic grid units and steel frame structures for building houses, and they evolve thanks to people participation. the application of traditional elements modules, the recycling of waste materials, the separation of public/ semi public/ private spaces in the living clusters, and the diversified design and constructions made by themselves, all contribute to enhancing people’s sense of community belonging.

bird view of mosul according to the ‘scaffolding city’ proposal

view from praying yard in quang le’s proposal

quang le’s ‘scaffolding city’ reaches second place in archstorming competition

‘scaffolding city’ masterplan

postwar camp views from zhao yifan and han shuo
renders from zhao yifan and han shuo’s third-place proposal

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom