This project seeks to improve mechanisms for addressing shelter in the MaeLa refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Upon visiting the camp we discovered a population of 50,000 people living in 10,000 houses forcibly dependent on NGO handouts, relying on building materials distributed in the same way as food rations. A further complication was that the Thai government do not allow permanent buildings to be constructed in the camps. Collaborating with the carpenters in the camp, the camp committee, local and regional NGOs and in consultation with the UN we built a 1:1 prototype house in the camp over two weeks, that addressed environmental and constructional issues. The key new developments were a flexible structural jointing system and an articulated roof ridge detail. Environmental assessments included lighting analysis tests on the roof system.
Architecture, Development
In collaboration with Asif Khan
Archietctural Associaiton 2007
