House for Recovery
“URBAN E’RZAL

E’rzal (Arabic for treehouse) is a built space on top of a tree. It is a structure that allows exploration. It can also be a shelter, a refuge, a private place to isolate and reflect, to recover and heal. Despite being commonly associated with natural and rural landscapes, our intention was to adapt the concept to an urban context.”

Ayman,

45y,Syrian from Aleppo, is a fictional character that represents thousands of cases of those who were imprisoned within a confined space - an individual prison cell. Ayman suffers symptoms of claustrophobia, stress and social anxiety. He feels rejected by society and it has been difficult for him to re-integrate.

Location,

Our project is located in Aleppo City. It is placed on top of a 5-storey residential block located on a corner between two wide streets in Al-Iza'a neighbourhood south-west to the centre. It has a wide panoramic view to the east, overlooking the riverbank and the skyline of the Old City of Aleppo.

Problematique,

After his release, Ayman found it difficult to adapt and feel comfortable at a typical house, as small and defined spaces triggered his memories of imprisonment. He also became sensitive to brightness and noise and more appreciative to privacy and freedom.

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Research

Since the character is fictional, our research focused on the 'pain of the imprisonment' as stated in the reviewed literature on this difficult living experience. This helped us understand the common feelings of suffering among prisoners regardless of geography, gender, or age.

From this comprehensive research, we highlighted three areas of intervention: physical, mental, and social, as demonstrated in the diagram to the right (Prison Experience). Accordingly, we proposed architectural solutions that aim to help Ayman recover and re-integrate in the society, as structured in the diagram below (Urban E'rzal; social recovery, body recovery, mind recovery).

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  • Open and Porous Spaces

    Unlike the prison experience, where movement is highly restricted with narrow corridors, doors, and locks, we sought a revolutionary solution to ensure a continuous movement and create a flow. We limited the number of walls and avoided installing doors in order to reinforce the feeling of freedom of choice and movement. resulting in open and stimulating spaces. in addition. we provided an architectural promenade through open corridors.

  • Different Shapes and Volumes

    Since monotony and repetition dominate prison spaces which also applies to common housing typologies in the city, the design aimed to break out of these patterns by incorporating spaces or alerent shapes.

  • Variety of Materials and Textures

    Contrary to the neutral grey and brutal architecture or bare concrete prevalent in prisons, the use of a variety of materials and textures under the sun reflection can stimulate the senses and mind and prevent boredom.

  • Different Levels

    Function distribution between two levels is meant to energise Ayman's body with a stimulating divergent circulation which can also mitigate his tendency to self-isolate.

  • Gradual Levels of Privacy

    Securing spaces with different degrees of privacy offers Ayman the freedom of choice, as he can instantly select the desired level of privacy depending on his mood at that moment and what he thinks would make him feel comfortable.

  • Contemplation Space

    Seeking solitude is a common tendency among ex-prisoners. Accordingly. We provided Ayman with a contemplation space, to which he can refuge when he feels overwhelmed. The space resembles a prison cell in size. However, it is open to the sky and provides a unique experience of meditation by contemplating in the details of the sacred geo-metric patterns of the dome. Thus advancing mental recovery.

  • White Noise

    Having a natural space can help Ayman to build trust with external environments. This ambience can encourage meditation and relaxation. featuring the white noise of tree leaves, wind, water, and birds.

  • Working Space

    We included a space for work, an Atelier, that allows Ayman to make pottery at home and sell it. This way. he can gradually restore his sense of self-worth and feel productive again as an active member in the society.

  • The Welcoming Tree

    The entrance tree is the core concept of the urban E'rzal, symbolising life, growth, and resilience. Around this central element, the spaces in one house are distorted.

  • Gardening Space

    Having a space that allows gardening can help Ayman entertain himself, restore faith in himself and the sense of self-worth.

  • One-chair Terrace to the Universe

    One of the private spaces is this terrace where Ayman can observe the outside world, including the skyline of the historic centre and its landmarks.

  • A Bridge to Society

    This bridge provides an opportunity to Ayman to reconnect with what is going on in the city. It overlooks the crowded streets of the neighbourhood, preparing Ayman to re-integrate with the complexity of life.