Ma’man IDEC Competition

In Winter 2022, our program participated in the IDEC Competition. The prompt was to create a temporary sheltered environment for refugee(s) to feel safe and psychologically sound using no more than 50 square meters. We were also tasked with creating a journey map and background for the group of people we chose to design a space for. This project took seven days to do.

My group members primarily focused on creating the graphic elements and written portions of our deliverable, while I created the Revit model and custom furniture for the space. Jenny Ballard was in charge of leading the design concept while Gabrielle DeCotiis created the diagrams and visual journey map. Caroline Orlowski and I focused on researching materials and creating the Revit model.

Upon arrival at Kilis, the family settled in the Kilis Refugee Camp, claimed refugee status, and awaited the arrival of Hasan. They only planned to stay in Kilis for as long as it took for the German government to grant them asylum, however, before Hasan could reach them, all the European borders closed due to Covid-19, and the pandemic made it much harder for smuggling, stranding him in Syria. The family had to wait it out and spent 2 years in Kilis until they were finally contacted by the German government in January 2022.

A plan was made to bring the family over and reunify them with Hasan. After a short flight to Berlin that same month, the family was placed in housing in the initial reception center where they must stay for at least 6 months.

Hasan was able to join them a month later in February. They are currently still living in the initial reception center and are being provided with food and clothes. As the 6 months are coming to an end, they are looking for a permanent place to move within Germany.