Doctoral thesis: Humanitarian architecture creates security and protection in the midst of poverty and crises
When global crises drive people out of their homes, multidisciplinary cooperation can help make something out of very little.
Architecture of Necessity Award to Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects
Hostels for School girls project in Tanzania, by Saija Hollmén, Jenni Reuter and Helena Sandman presents systemic approach in sustainable architecture.
The Architecture of Necessity competition seeks to award architectural works that are in the forefront of rethinking a future with an architecture that is responsible, conscientious, sustainable, just and open.
This year the competition attracted entries from all over the world. The jury awarded three winners and three honorary mentions in the Architecture of Necessity Day, which took place in Virserum, Sweden 8 September.
The winning Hostels for School girls project has built dormitories, that are desperately needed safe havens for school girls in Iringa, Tanzania. By engaging the local community in the actual design process and by using sustainable building methods, the project aims to strengthen the local economy and generate health and social benefits for the area.
The project fulfils all requirements for an Architecture of Necessity, the jury motivated:
‘In a simple, yet beautiful architecture it reinvents the classical typology of the cloister, creating a protected space for young schoolgirls, empowering them and ensuring they get their education safely.
The architects have long experience in handling local conditions, both culturally in the form of user participation and technically in the use of local materials. The project is one in a series, thus having the systemic approach that is essential for a truly sustainable architecture. ‘
Architect Jenni Reuter is delighted that the competition highlights especially small-scale but meaningful architectural projects.
‘The international competition has been very popular, and we are proud to have been selected as one of the three winners. What all winners have in common is that we work on a grassroots level with people on a low income who cannot afford to buy architectural services. Inclusive design strengthens communities' sense of self-worth and cohesion. Architecture can make an active contribution to the daily lives of all people’, says Reuter.
Award went also to Gyaan Ashray in Ahmedabad, India by Chaal Chaal Agency and Earth Building Collective in Mako, Senegal by Studio Suddo Nueve were awarded.
In addition to the prize money (€1200), the winning projects were presented and discussed in a seminar and exhibition at the Virserum Art Hall.
Contact:
Associate Professor, architect Jenni Reuter, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, +358 (0)50 305 57 04, jenni.reuter@aalto.fi
Read more:
Architecture is service stemming from understanding people and their surroundings.
Read more news
The Business Leader of the Year 2026 is Annikka Hurme, CEO of Valio
In addition, Annika Blomqvist was awarded for promoting entrepreneurship and Sanni Mustonen for her excellent master’s thesis.
EAA Best Paper and Presentation Award for Young Researchers for postdoctoral researcher Thomas Deppisch
The awarded work shows how speech can be made clearer in noisy environments while still preserving directional cues
Design students succeed in the international Glass Design Award competition in Germany
Elisa Roinisto and Viivi Hirvikangas, students in Aalto University’s Master’s Program in Contemporary Design, were awarded third place in the 4th International Glass Design Award competition.