Case Study: UNHCR Delivers Temporary Earth-Bag Shelters with Graphisoft Archicad

UNHCR builds 44 m² transitional shelters in 2 weeks with Graphisoft

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) faced the challenge of rapidly providing durable, low-cost transitional housing for Syrian refugees, moving beyond temporary tents. Their architect, Anas Aljbain, utilized Graphisoft's Archicad BIM software to design and develop an innovative earth-bag shelter construction system that could be built quickly by largely unskilled laborers.

Graphisoft, through its regional partner BIMES, provided critical support by securing an NFR Archicad license and offering technical assistance. Using Archicad for 3D visualization and documentation was central to overcoming initial acceptance challenges and effectively communicating construction details to unskilled workers. The solution resulted in a prototype earth-bag house that could be built by seven people in about two weeks at an approximate cost of $1,850 per unit, offering a strong, adaptable, and safer shelter compared to tents.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)