Across the world, more than 117 million people are forcibly displaced by violence, with the global refugee population reaching 42.5 million and continuing to rise as civilian populations face ongoing conflict. Much of this growth stems from recent crises in East Africa and Southwest Asia. This thesis examines the uneven application of international law, questioning whether protection is granted selectively based on who suffers and who inflicts harm.
Originally rooted in Islamic geometry, this project has evolved into a refugee housing proposal incorporating Mashrabiya screens and Muqarnas vaults as both cultural and environmental devices. The design consists of four towers, each oriented toward Mecca from the corresponding capitals of Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran. Ultimately, the project stands as a spatial critique; emerging from the failure of the United Nations to adequately respond to and protect vulnerable populations.
