Al-Zaatari Refugee Camp Housing
Studio Spring 2019 | Fred Pearsall

This project proposes a housing system for the Al-Zaatari Refugee Camp, using paired shipping containers as adaptable units. The aggregation strategy draws from vernacular Syrian urban patterns, organizing space into public, semi-private, and private realms that support communal life while preserving personal dignity. On the ground level, containers align in an orthogonal grid to maintain clarity and navigability within the camp; on the upper level, they rotate to face Mecca, responding to the practices of the predominantly Muslim population.
Each unit incorporates a simplified mashrabiya- a porous screen that mediates visibility, softens harsh daylight, and fosters moments of reflection from within the domestic interior. By blending pragmatic modular construction with cultural specificity, the project aims to provide not only shelter but also a sense of belonging and continuity in the context of displacement.