The goal in building this community centre was not just to provide classrooms for refugee children from Syria but also to enable a democratic and participatory approach in the construction, training refugees in easily transferable building techniques. The Dome is a flexible space that serves as a classroom--two circular benches allow children to sit both inside and outside the dome--and can be used by the larger community outside school hours. The superadobe construction was inspired by the vernacular beehive house of Aleppo and Homs. It is much cheaper to build than a cement structure (and has better thermal insulation properties), and does not require skilled labour.
Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture
