Project Description

According to the 2025 UNHCR report, over one million Rohingya people are currently living in Bangladesh, with children making up 52% of this population. That is more than half a million young lives growing up in hardship without safe places to play, adequate schooling, or spaces for emotional healing. 

Our project responds to this urgent need by creating a modular, healing space for Rohingya children. Our site is proposed in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, home to one of the largest refugee settlements in the world. However, the modular nature of the design allows it to be implemented in other locations facing similar challenges. The architectural form draws inspiration from traditional Rakhine houses ; raised slightly above ground and built from bamboo, cane, and golpata (nipa palm leaves). These familiar vernacular materials ensure sustainability and help children feel rooted in their culture, reinforcing identity as a part of emotional recovery. Each module is accessed by stairs leading to a raised platform. Here, children can gather for lessons, read from integrated bookshelves, and engage in creative activities such as drawing and painting. Their artworks can be proudly displayed, fostering self-expression and confidence. 

It offers a safe environment where children can heal from trauma through play, creativity, and community. By merging cultural familiarity with adaptable design, the project creates a replicable model for restoring hope in the most vulnerable corners of our world.