Nature Bridge of Shiraz

A resilient climate-adaptation centre and settlement for Afghan refugees on the edge of Shiraz. The project grew out of a personal history: growing up in Iran I witnessed first-hand the barriers refugees face in access to housing, work and education. The research asks how refugee camps and shelters can evolve into resilient, sustainable environments that strengthen human dignity and ecological resilience.

The master plan integrates urban design, natural topography and ecological strategies into a community-focused environment. Central public spaces form the heart of the development, surrounded by housing and farmland to balance social interaction, residential life and local food production.

Terraces, brick and water

The site's natural slope turns rooftops into shared terraces for upper-level residents, extending communal life vertically. The brick patterning draws on historical precedents to regulate privacy and daylight and to drive passive cooling; gardens between the patterned façade and interior windows create shaded microclimates.

Masonry is the primary structure for its affordability, climatic suitability and low environmental impact. Rainwater ponds at each level collect and store water for irrigation.