Home Made: A Unique Approach to Refugee Accommodation

Creating Private Retreats with Ready-Made Products

Made from a combination of sun umbrellas, construction site fence pedestals, electro and wastewater pipes, curtain fabrics, cable fixers, clamp lights, and extended electric sockets, the prototypes created by Caramel Architekten were quickly embraced by the refugee community. Families, children, and young men living in the camp immediately took possession of the new accommodations and organized themselves to create additional units.

The main focus of the design was to safeguard privacy and provide a place where individuals could rest undisturbed by external influences. The elements of the design were carefully chosen to be easily dismounted and reassembled in different locations, allowing for flexibility and adaptability. Each unit consists of a three-meter diameter parasol as a load-bearing structure, thick white fleece as a spatial divider, and certified non-flammable material in various colors as a spatial envelope.

The basic structure of each unit, made from simple plastic pipes, can be easily assembled or taken apart in a matter of minutes, regardless of the spatial conditions. The textile separating walls provide intimacy and a sense of security, while the vertical elements act as service runs, providing lighting and multiple sockets. The design allows for expansion and customization, with additional features such as closable pockets sewn onto the walls.

Not only did the design serve as a temporary shelter for refugees, but it also proved to be a versatile solution for creating private spaces in various settings, such as ateliers, open-plan offices, and children's playrooms. The self-supporting cells with their parasols and secondary spaces offered a room within a room, providing a place of retreat within larger spatial structures.

The design process involved extensive testing and experimentation, with the architects trying out different proportions and functional possibilities. The use of parasols as a load-bearing structure not only provided a symbolic representation of shelter but also transformed the harsh neon lighting of the office spaces into warm light, creating a more pleasant atmosphere.

The Home Made project was not just about creating a physical structure; it was a collaborative process involving the residents of the camp. The prototype unit was shown to the entire community, and volunteers took on responsibilities for tasks such as erecting the basic structure and sewing the material. The project aimed to improve everyday life in the shelter and trigger further measures to enhance the living conditions of the residents.

The Home Made project was realized in a vacant office building in Vienna, with usable space of 2,000 square meters. The construction of the first room prototype began in January 2016, and the final room was completed in February of the same year. The project also included the construction of a bar/café and the development of external areas, such as a forecourt and a garden.

The innovative approach and unique design of Home Made earned it the Bronze A' Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life. Caramel Architekten's design not only provided practical and comfortable accommodations for refugees but also showcased the potential for repurposing ready-made products to create private retreats in various settings.