The project consists of a support building for refugees in Zambia, proposed as part of an ideas competition. Aiming for self-construction, the design seeks to reduce the number of complex structures and exemplify how simple architecture can provide quality of life and meet essential needs. With a linear organization, the shelter includes a series of similarly sized spaces that can be built in phases and adapted according to local demand. The program flows through the environment using rammed earth walls, combining curved and straight forms to explore the region’s materiality.
The debate around refugees has gained prominence on the international stage in recent years due to the scale of immigration flows and the lack of human dignity. Throughout history, various adverse conditions—such as persecution and war—have separated people from their original roots.
In contemporary times, a range of factors related to housing infrastructure makes the situation even more complex, requiring a thoughtful approach that addresses both structural and identity-related issues. According to the United Nations, the current scenario is a combination of new and ongoing conflicts, worsened by the region’s economic and social crises.
In this context, the creation of a shelter is not merely about providing physical protection—it also serves as a cultural sanctuary, a space where the roots of displaced communities can be reclaimed and preserved. Mayukwayukwa, therefore, must stand as a place of support and resistance: for life, and for ancestral memory.
“Africa, surge et ambula!”
