Zaha Hadid Architects has created 27 tents that are receiving natural daylight and are weather-proof, modular structures for refugee and displaced communities in Syria, Turkey and Yemen.

The project, developed as a joint venture between Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and Zaha Hadid Architects, comprises newly-donated tents to serve and support displaced communities in the three countries: Syria, Turkey and Yemen. 

The tents will be donated to the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) and the Qatar Red Crescent. 

Image © Luke Hayes

The news, which was announced at a ZHA-EAA tent inside the FIFA Fan Festival™ in Doha, is part of the country’s efforts to ensure the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has a lasting impact, said a press statement by ZHA.

The tents' main functions are designed to be used as schools, clinics and temporary shelter for displaced communities in Syria, Turkey and Yemen. 

Image © Luke Hayes

While 3 tents are already being used as schools for hundreds of displaced Pakistani and Syrian children in Pakistan and Turkey, respectively, 15 tents will be donated to IOM, of which 10 will serve as schools and 5 as health clinics in Turkey and Yemen. 

In Syria, Qatar Red Crescent will be given 12 structures that it will serve as shelters for displaced communities in Syria.

Image © Luke Hayes

Zaha Hadid Architects conceived the tents as weather-proof and modular structures that can receive natural daylight. 

Thanks to their modular configuration possibilities, the tents can be easily moved and re-assembled, incorporating components that can also be upcycled or recycled for sustainability, thereby making them ideal for displaced populations.

Image © Luke Hayes

"With more than 70 million people displaced in their own countries or living as refugees, and half under the age of 18, EAA saw a critical need for suitable infrastructure that could serve as classrooms, temporary housing, and medical centres for displaced children and their families," said ZHA.

"That’s when the Foundation teamed up with Zaha Hadid Architects to create a structure that offers safe, versatile and sustainable spaces for children to use for play, learning, and development," the office explained.

Image © Luke Hayes

"We have a like-minded partner in Education Above All who is committed to investing in innovative design for the better good of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities," said Zaha Hadid Architects’ Project Architect Gerry Cruz. 

"Together, we developed a robust, cost-effective, and lightweight modular architectural system with fabric envelope to build structures that can be adapted in many variations to meet the conditions and lives of displaced children and children on the move."

"We hope that these newly donated tents will bring safety, learning and play to thousands in Yemen, Syria and Turkey," Cruz added.

Image © Luke Hayes

The ZHA-EAA tent housing EAA’s 'Scoring 4 the Goals' campaign at the FIFA Fan Festival was visited by football fans over the course of the FIFA World Cup. 

The campaign included art and immersive video exhibits, discussions, games and activities which created awareness about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Image © Luke Hayes

"Each and every one of us has a role to play to ensure that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," said Education Above All’s CEO, Fahad Al Sulaiti.

"At EAA, we are committed to doing our part to achieving SDG 4, and by donating these tents, we are acting now to help countless children in Yemen, Turkey and Syria to have access to quality and accessible education," Fahad Al Sulaiti added.

Image © Luke Hayes

Image © Luke Hayes

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Image courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Video courtesy of Education Above All Foundation

Project facts

Joint venture partnership: Education Above All Foundation with Zaha Hadid Architects
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design: Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher
ZHA Project Director: Charles Walker
ZHA Project Architect: Gerry Cruz
ZHA Project Associates: Shajay Bhooshan, Tariq Khayyat
ZHA Project Team: David Reeves, Ilya Pereyaslavtsev, Ramon Weber, Vladislav Bek Bulatov, Henry David Louth, Vishu Bhooshan, Li Chen, Ruxandra Matei

Consultants
Contractor: Duol TR / Tensaform
Local Architect: Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy
Structural Engineer (Concept): Buro Happold
Fabricator (Concept): Architen Landrell
Local Consultant (Concept): Dar Al-Handasah

Top image © Luke Hayes.

> via ZHA 

displaced communities refugee shelter shelter Zaha Hadid Architects