Fida Sassi Wins First Prize at UN-Habitat Competition: A Groundbreaking Project for Social Inclusion in Tunisia

Tunisian architect Fida Sassi has been awarded the prestigious first prize in the UN-Habitat competition, an international accolade recognizing her innovative design titled “Roof for Dignity.” This project, located in the heart of the historic medina of Tunis, stands as a symbol of community-oriented architecture, with a focus on creating transitional housing solutions for homeless individuals. What sets Sassi’s design apart is its reinterpretation of the traditional concept of an “Oukala”—a shared community housing structure—not as a place of overcrowding and neglect but as a hub of learning, cohabitation, and reintegration into society.

A Vision for Community and Social Reintegration

The essence of Fida Sassi’s project lies in fostering a strong sense of community life through shared spaces and experiences. The “Roof for Dignity” concept goes beyond providing temporary shelter. Instead, it prepares residents for potential reintegration into society. Located in a part of the city already rich in social and community ties, the project aims to rebuild the lives of the homeless by offering a space where they can learn, interact, and grow.

The design reflects Sassi’s deep understanding of the social challenges faced by marginalized populations. She emphasizes that the space must be more than a refuge—it should serve as a platform for learning, cohabitation, and shared living experiences. The idea is that these spaces are transitional, providing the homeless with the basic amenities of sleeping, washing, and cooking, while avoiding creating attachments to temporary housing.

Minimalist Design for Maximum Social Impact

The project is intentionally minimalist in its facilities to reflect the temporary nature of the housing. The goal is to transition residents as quickly as possible into permanent homes once they are prepared. The design avoids personalizing the space to prevent emotional attachment. The emphasis, instead, is on developing skills and creating pathways for income-generating activities through learning workshops in weaving, shoemaking, pottery, and ceramics.

These workshops serve as shared, structured spaces that promote community interaction and enable individuals to prepare for sustainable employment, thus providing a critical stepping stone toward long-term rehousing. The residents can rebuild their lives through skill acquisition, making this project a true social reintegration tool.

Fostering Cohabitation and Civility

One of the most unique aspects of Fida Sassi’s design is the attention given to the functional organization of the space, aimed at promoting encounters, exchanges, and mutual aid. The architect has highlighted the importance of cohabitation in rebuilding civility among desocialized and excluded individuals. The project is designed to ensure that neighborly relations are formed by choice, rather than obligation, ensuring a positive community environment.

The project’s organization negotiates the balance between public and private spaces, creating shared spaces that foster interaction while respecting personal boundaries. These shared spaces are envisioned as convivial areas—communal spaces that can be temporarily inhabited by all residents, extending the sense of home and community beyond individual apartments.

Functional Division and Inclusivity

The “Roof for Dignity” project is divided into two distinct parts:

1. A family area located on the ground floor, which includes people with reduced mobility.
2. A single individual area catering to elderly residents on the ground floor and young singles living on the upper floors.

Each section is designed around its own patio, enhancing the feeling of sociability while ensuring access to natural ventilation and lighting. This thoughtful division reflects the architect’s goal of fostering sociability and sharing within each group while ensuring that individual needs are met.

The project’s design also promotes inclusivity and avoids the creation of urban segregation. By opening onto two different streets—Rue Achour and Rue Hafsia—the project encourages community life while preventing the formation of new divides in the urban landscape.

Rooftop Garden and Urban Agriculture

A standout feature of the project is the rooftop garden, accessible to all residents. This garden is not just an aesthetic addition; it plays a vital role in promoting urban agriculture. This eco-friendly initiative contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and production costs, while also creating new opportunities for job creation. From production to sales and distribution, urban farms integrated into the project offer a responsible, sustainable way to support both the environment and the local economy.

Innovative Materials and Sustainable Design

Fida Sassi’s project also shines for its innovative use of sustainable materials. The walls and floors are made entirely of jute fabric coated with bio-based resin, an invention by a Tunisian engineer. This material is not only sustainable but also has excellent structural capabilities, along with superior acoustic and thermal performance.

The building’s structure is made from a metal frame, ensuring durability while keeping the overall cost of the project within budget. The total estimated cost of the project is 400 MD, with careful planning of construction stages and materials to ensure affordability and scalability. The project also includes detailed diagrams and illustrations to explain the construction process and promote transparency in the design.