Buildings that engage the people they serve in Egypt and Canada

Ezbet Eshaq’s Eco-Classroom (Awards 2023 Acknowledgement for Middle East & Africa) is a community learning space that was built with traditional construction techniques and reused plastic bottles filled with sand in a rural setting. A participatory approach was key to achieving a safe, vibrant, and environmentally responsible building. The process also served to empower the local youth by training them in construction practices.

Muscowpetung Powwow Arbour (Awards 2023 Acknowledgement for North America) is a cultural space for an indigenous community. The design of the building capitalizes on native skills and knowhow – for instance, how local timber is sourced, cut and debarked. The center will host events and other tourism activities, thereby generating income for the community.