African project: Mbera
Project: Desert Flower
refugee camp
with the valuable support of the local consultant.
competencies are necessary and the skills required
are basic, the construction technique is not
The program started full production on
immediately accessible. It demands training and
December 2013 and by the end of July 2014 the
cannot be regarded as a panacea for the informal
60 hangars are expected to reach completion
building industry. The construction of the walls
in four different areas of Mbera camp. ‘Mass
requires professional bricklayers, and the welded
production’ of the units has introduced minor
steel structure well trained workers. Nevertheless,
variations to the original scheme. The rectangular unskilled workers can be employed, and the
windows in the sandbag walls have been replaced simplicity of the technique makes capacity-building
by round openings at child’s eye height in order
a realistic perspective.
to enhance natural ventilation while allowing
kids to glance outside the classroom. The
Once experienced the thermal performance of the
position of the doors has also been modified so to prototype, its solidity, and its resistance against
have them on opposing walls.
strong local winds (this in the occasion of a desert
storm that hit the camp destroying the majority
In terms of the social impact of the project, such a
of other shelters), both the host community and
labor intensive solution fosters a ‘cash for work’
the refugee leaders have been enquiring about the
strategy, which gives refugees the opportunity to
possibility to adapt the technique to other building
earn some money by actually working. However,
types. A major recognition for FAREstudio, given
it must be stressed that even though no special
the circumstances. AD
Further recommended viewing:
Mali refugees in Mauritania
africandesignmagazine.com
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