Alizer Khowaja

Project 03: Refugee Camp Layout

Fallujah, Iraq

In this group project, we analyzed the city of Fallujah, Iraq and created a refugee camp (located adjacent to a river) that maximized use of space and minimized environmental impact. I was assigned to complete water and electricity systems' layouts in the camp.

Preliminary Designs

​After looking and researching utility systems in existing refugee camps, I was inspired to create these sketches for water and electricity systems.
Water System: I decided to implement water tanks in areas that will have high demand for water. A central water filtration and distribution center is also located in the south-east corner of the camp.
Electricity System: I analyzed various energy sources and came upon the conclusion to use water turbines.

​Final Designs

After creating preliminary sketches, I conducted more research and completed mathematical analysis for both systems based on requirements provided by UNHCR (shown in the first two images). Renderings of the final models can be seen in the third image (with turbines) and fourth image (with water tanks).

Project 04: Fallujah Bus Station

Fallujah, Iraq
After further research into post-war Fallujah, we saw that there were several issues which limited growth within the city. Analyzing the needs of not only refugees, but also people currently living within the city enabled me to identify lack of affordable transportation and difficult movement through the city as significant limiting factors of growth. Furthermore, I used architecture as a humanistic tool for community recovery that focused on repairing various physical and emotional aspects within the community. This led me to envision the Fallujah Bus Station.

Research & Preliminary Work

Due to the recent war in Fallujah, many families lost their homes and were forced to relocate to other parts of the city. As result, not only were families unable to mover from place to place, but they were also low on funds and resources. To combat these issues, the Fallujah Bus Station (and city network) aims to provide affordable transportation for all families and encourages efficient travel from one part of the city to another. To the left, you will see my inspiration from existing islamic architecture and preliminary sketches. I chose the octagonal design because of its design features and viability in the context of Fallujah.

Final Designs

To the left, you will see various images showing the final site plan and rederings which include the bus station, park, and parking area. Incorporating various design elements from local cultures and religions, the Fallujah Bus Station aims to provide a sense of unity and inclusiveness while offering an optimistic outlook for the future of Fallujah in a socially/culturally vibrant space. The station also focus to improve living conditions by providing a variety of needs (to people of various socioeconomic levels) in a ways that are supportive and sustainable.​