The live-work refugee shelter is located in Hargadera Refugee Camp. Hargadera is one of the oldest and most populated refugee camps in North Eastern Kenya. Hargadera Camp, with two neighboring camps in Dadaab, has been home of Somali refugees since 1991 when the civil war broke out. The camp is originally intended to serve 30,000 refugees, however, it is now heavily congested having more than 90,000 inhabitants. Although the camp is supported by United Nation and the World Food Program, the rapid increase in population and periodical flood and draught have created very poor living condition. The live-work shelter is to accommodate existing and future refugees and ameliorate substandard living condition that has existed for more than a decade. With limited access to resources and materials, the shelter is built from locally made mud brick and indigenous plant species. The shelter includes a rain water barrel and fire place for heating and cooking. The roof is recycled corrugated metal on thatch for water collection. The indoor space has openings on all facades to allow for cross ventilation. The simple form allows fast and easy construction to meet rapidly increasing needs.

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