An Innovative Concept for 3D Sand-Printed Sustainable Refugee Shelters in a Sandy Desert in a Hot and Dry Climate

Abstract

This article deals with the urban and architectural concept of a shelter for refugees (refugees from civil war-stricken Syria), located in a desert area, in a hot and dry climate. The aim of the research was to develop a design concept for a temporary shelter that would provide refugees with decent living conditions and, at the same time, meet the demands of sustainable development. The conceptual design of the shelter includes a complex of 100 residential units intended for 500 refugees, service buildings, and public spaces. The proposed urban layout can be expanded multiple times. At an architectural scale, the concept includes several variants of residential units. To implement this project, it is proposed to use an innovative, environmentally friendly 3D printing technology employing quartz sand and using solar energy. The implementation of this technology in the construction of shelters for refugees in sandy desert areas will solve many problems related to logistics, availability of building materials, and energy costs. The design solutions proposed in the article are the result of taking into account technological, functional, cultural, humanitarian, economic, climatic, and ecological aspects.