Created eco-friendly, mycelium-based modular shelters that empowered communities to build sustainable homes in crisis-affected regions.

ReRoot reimagined emergency housing through an ecological healing lens, highlighting the urgent need for effective and sustainable shelter solutions for displaced populations. While immediate food and shelter are critical, ReRoot’s visionary approach focused on developing medium- to long-term solutions that were rapid, resilient, and sustainable.

By blending vernacular architecture with innovative biomaterials, ReRoot empowered communities to build their own homes using mycelium and local palm waste, shaped to resemble traditional stone. This design co-created new materials with nature, merging local craftsmanship with environmental sustainability.

Mycelium—the root structure of fungi—binds materials through natural biological processes, embodying principles of biomimicry. As a circular material, it could be produced from agricultural waste and decomposed back into the soil, enriching the earth.

ReRoot's shelters offered a unique approach by reinterpreting traditional design through an ecological lens, making ecology the vernacular by utilizing local resources and respecting the environment. This balance of cultural heritage and modern innovation empowered communities to customize their shelters based on local context and user needs. Combining innovation with compassion, ReRoot developed sustainable housing solutions that prioritized safety, comfort, community, and environmental consciousness.

About the Designers:

Dima Al Srouri is a city strategist and creative leader in urban planning and sustainability, with experience in interdisciplinary projects and expertise in cities, sustainability, and circular development across various sectors.

Dalia Hamati is an architect and educator in the UAE, who founded Studioda to explore equitable and contextually rooted architecture. She focuses on how architecture can regenerate ecological systems, inspired by the UAE’s resilience to environmental challenges.

Andy Cartier and Rosa Hämäläinen, founders of Studio Cartier, specialize in developing mycelium products. They work with businesses and governments to create innovative, eco-friendly solutions, including architectural installations, acoustic products, building materials, and art pieces. Notably, they have developed one of the first entirely bio-based mycelium surfboards.