Editors’ Choice

2019 Skyscraper Competition
Alexander Carolan

United States

Issue

One of the largest challenges in the world is the refugee crisis. In 2017, the crisis had affected an estimated 65.6 million people and the number continues to grow. As of 2019, the total number of migrants who have lost their lives on the journey out is a shocking 377. The term refugee is defined today as a group of people displaced from their home country due to persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. As the number of struggles continues to increase around the world, the population of displaced people proportionately increases. It is reaching an all-time high. As they assimilate, housing should provide a bridge between refugee status and permanent residency. Currently, refugees have inadequate housing. Not only is there too little housing, but the current camps also do not provide adequate support to find jobs, gain an education, support cultural activities or build communities. Camps are meant to be short term housing solutions. A more permanent housing community can provide support to establish new roots, to allow refugees to rebuild their lives and become engaged members of the community. Concept

Borderline sets out to understand and respond to this global crisis through design. As refugees around the world try to find a new home in the western world, they are confronted with a lack of support and an increase in the number of barriers. With no possibility o...