Omar Harb

advisor

USEK - Holy spirit University of Kaslik

Lebanon

As an architect and founder of Omar Harb Architects & Associates, my work centers on creating… more

The project presents a powerful humanitarian narrative by addressing the psychological rehabilitation of war orphans suffering from PTSD in Gaza. The proposal demonstrates a strong understanding of trauma-informed architecture and successfully translates emotional healing into spatial and environmental strategies. The integration of healing architecture, blue space theory, sensory gardens, and human-scaled spaces creates a comprehensive therapeutic framework that extends beyond conventional institutional design.

One of the project’s strongest achievements is the way it organizes architecture as a healing journey rather than a static facility. The zoning strategy clearly distinguishes between public, semi-private, therapeutic, and residential areas while maintaining spatial continuity and safety. The A-form spatial organization and the layered circulation system provide both orientation and protection, which are critical in trauma-sensitive environments. The design also benefits from a careful balance between openness and enclosure, allowing children to feel secure without creating an institutional atmosphere.

The incorporation of water elements and blue-space principles is particularly successful. The relationship between architecture and water introduces calmness, sensory regulation, and visual therapy, reinforcing the emotional objectives of the project. The elevated bridge connection becomes both a symbolic and functional gesture, representing transition, protection, and reconnection with society. This creates a memorable architectural identity strongly tied to the project’s mission.

The architectural language demonstrates maturity through its fragmented massing, courtyards, shaded pathways, and integrated landscape systems. The project avoids monotony by creating multiple scales of interaction, from intimate reflection spaces to collective healing zones. Natural lighting, passive shading, and cross ventilation strategies also strengthen the environmental performance of the proposal while enhancing psychological comfort.

The research component is well integrated into the design process. The project successfully connects PTSD statistics, behavioral studies, and therapeutic methodologies with architectural decisions, which gives the proposal credibility and intellectual depth. The diagrams communicate a clear design logic and show a strong relationship between concept and execution.

Further improvements could strengthen the project’s technical and operational depth. Additional explanation regarding structural systems, construction feasibility in the Gaza context, and phased implementation strategies would reinforce realism and adaptability. The project could also benefit from a more detailed explanation of acoustic treatment, sensory-control mechanisms, and security protocols tailored for children with severe trauma conditions. Greater attention to long-term adaptability and community reintegration programs could further enhance the social sustainability of the proposal.

The visual presentation is compelling, particularly the atmospheric rendering, which communicates serenity despite the heavy contextual background. However, some diagrams could be simplified graphically to improve readability and hierarchy of information, allowing key therapeutic strategies to emerge more clearly during quick jury evaluations.

Overall, the proposal is emotionally impactful, socially responsible, and architecturally sophisticated. It demonstrates how architecture can serve as an instrument of healing, dignity, and resilience in post-conflict environments. The project successfully merges humanitarian sensitivity with environmental and spatial intelligence, creating a meaningful rehabilitation environment for vulnerable children.

1. Strengthen the connection between therapeutic theory and architectural implementation by explaining how each spatial element directly responds to PTSD symptoms and behavioral recovery stages.
2. Develop a clearer phasing and construction strategy adapted to the economic and logistical realities of Gaza, including material sourcing and modular construction possibilities.
3. Introduce trauma-sensitive acoustic design strategies to minimize sudden noise exposure and create emotionally secure environments for children.
4. Expand the therapeutic landscape design by incorporating sensory gardens, tactile pathways, aromatic planting, and shaded meditation zones.
5. Enhance environmental sustainability through integrated water recycling systems, solar energy production, and passive cooling techniques suitable for the regional climate.
6. Further explore child-scaled architecture by diversifying spatial heights, textures, and interactive elements that encourage comfort and emotional engagement.
7. Introduce adaptable therapy rooms capable of supporting individual counseling, group therapy, art therapy, and educational activities.
8. Provide more detailed circulation hierarchy showing separation between visitors, staff, service access, and children’s private movement patterns.
9. Strengthen the relationship between indoor and outdoor healing environments through transitional semi-open spaces and shaded courtyards.
10. Consider integrating community participation spaces that support gradual social reintegration and interaction with caregivers or local residents.
11. Improve accessibility and inclusivity by incorporating universal design standards throughout all therapeutic and residential zones.
12. Develop more detailed security and safeguarding strategies while maintaining the openness and warmth of the architectural atmosphere.
13. Refine the façade treatment to create a stronger architectural identity linked to healing, resilience, and hope.
14. Introduce flexible residential clusters that simulate family-like living conditions rather than institutional accommodation models.
15. Explore the use of locally available materials and vernacular construction techniques to reinforce cultural belonging and long-term maintainability.
16. Clarify the operational relationship between educational, medical, psychological, and recreational functions within the masterplan.
17. Increase shaded outdoor activity areas to improve usability during hot seasons and encourage continuous outdoor engagement.
18. Add detailed studies for daylight control to ensure balanced natural illumination without excessive glare or overheating.
19. Simplify and strengthen the graphic hierarchy of presentation boards to improve readability and allow key concepts to emerge more clearly during jury reviews.
20. Further emphasize the symbolic narrative of healing and recovery through architectural sequencing, landscape storytelling, and experiential spatial transitions.
14.05.2026