Aleppo is a land that has seen irrevocable damage over the course of the middle east war, relegating an ancient city to ruins. It has become a hub of pent up political animosity, shattering the lives of millions. This project seeks to emphasize the importance of community centric activities, a celebration of food, art & culture.

Al Shifa is designed with a strong focus on public spaces, giving people the freedom to experience the space, while helping one another grow. It evokes a memory of the home land while balancing the modernity of the city.  The design seeks to put Aleppo on the map, as a symbol of resilience. A center where people from the world over can learn about the what makes Aleppo unique. There are 4 primary spaces :

-Memorial 

-Souq 

-Therapy center

-Skill development center

The memorial is split along 2 levels: 

The inner sanctum is sunken & is accessed by ramps leading inward. The journey to the sanctum is a contemplative one, flanked by arched openings & courtyards containing water bodies. It contains thick masonry wall with a sliver of light from the atrium above, symbolic of 'a ray of hope' during times of desolation.

The upper sanctum is also accessed by ramps. Topped with a glass dome & concrete fins, this semi-open structure overlooks the sunken lower sanctum.