Community Spaces in the Rohingya Refugee Response, a program developed through a cooperation between BRAC and ActionAid to provide dignified space for the Rohingya refugees based on their culture, craftsmanship, and identity, led by one of the six winners, Rizvi Hasan who got the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2022. The world's largest refugee camps are located in Ukhiya-Teknaf, and they are made up of a group of six sustainably constructed buildings that were co-evolved without the use of models or drawings. In close collaboration with women and girls from the Rohingya community, architects Rizvi Hassan and others oversaw the process. It demonstrates architects dedication to maximizing the potential of individuals and communities, frontline pragmatism, frugal innovation, and utilizing women as change agents.
Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response, Ukhiya-Teknaf, Bangladesh
The six locations are a part of a significant reaction to the forced emigration of around one million Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh in August 2017. The community experienced a sense of helplessness as a result of the displacement. The denial of nationality, the destruction of houses and goods, and the temporary accommodations in makeshift shelters left a sense of alienation and a loss of any sense of security. As dependency on charity rose over time, a greater sense of loss developed, with women and girls being more severely affected than men.
Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response, Ukhiya-Teknaf, Bangladesh
There was a need for community centers where women and girls could access support systems, strengthen social bonds, learn and share skills, and find peace amidst the chaos of the shelters. It was crucial that women and girls who would use the spaces participated in the design process. The rooms that formed are female-friendly, low to the ground to withstand storms, and distinguishable by their elaborate roof trusses made by Rohingya bamboo artists.
Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response, Ukhiya-Teknaf, Bangladesh
The architects had a focus group discussion with predominantly Rohingya women at the start of the design phase. The demands that needed to be served by the structures were discussed, along with the best way to do so. Bamboo, straw, and tarpaulin were among the materials utilized during construction that were easily accessible locally. The Rohingya men, many of whom are very adept in woodworking and bamboo construction, took the lead in creating the places. Rohingya girls and women took the lead on the interior design, covering the building in brilliant artwork and colors that other girls and women using the area have since added to.
Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response, Ukhiya-Teknaf, Bangladesh
Projects that set new benchmarks for excellence in architecture, planning techniques, historic preservation, and landscape architecture are presented the Aga Khan Award for Architecture every three years. The Award aims to recognize and support ideas for structures that effectively meet the needs and ambitions of countries around the world where Muslims are a large minority. Rizvi Hassan as an architect played a significant role by creating cost efficient structures for the underprivileged community.
Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response, Ukhiya-Teknaf, Bangladesh
Along with this he tried to integrate cultural components as a decorative material in the interior of buildings. This great contribution allows the society to move one step forward towards developments from the problems they are facing for decades. Rizvi Hassan and his associate’s works to built a community places for Rohingya proves selfless contribution and dedication for society benefitting common people through constructing a healthy living conditions.
References:
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Project Name: Community Spaces in Rohingya Refugee Response
Architects: Rizvi Hassan, Khwaja Fatmi, Saad Ben Mostafa
Client: Forcefully displaced Rohingya Community, BRAC & ActionAid
Completion year: 2018-2020
Location: Ukhiya-Teknaf, Bangladesh
Photo Credit: Rizvi Hassan, Asif Salman
