THE EVOLVING SETTLEMENT

This scheme aims to address the ever-worsening global refugee crisis. The pivotal term that centres the project is ‘agency’; how do you create agency? For refugees to feel safe, independent and comfortable, one must foster an environment where they can gain agency. Architecturally, ‘agency’ looks like a freedom to express and reflect one’s culture and preferences in the built environment that one inhabits. For this reason, the scheme will only provide the structure to a new town, the ultimate appearance will be a mismatch of thousands of ideas; an incremental town which serves those who live there. Designed and built by those that occupy it. The UK is in the throes of a skills and labour deficit, the number of unemployed is similar to the number of vacancies (1.19 million). There are two industries who are experiencing the worst worker shortages, one of which is ‘Construction’ (20.7%). This project is looking to tackle the labour shortage by qualifying thousands of new constituents; with a town that begins with only the structure of a buildings - over time it is filled in and built around. This will be achieved through the ‘Construction School’, which facilitates vocational qualifications through this live site.