The Heard

Hijab compliance in Iran is an increasingly pressing issue of religious and patriarchal suppression since the morality police have been emboldened to enforce the law more strictly. With the rising tension towards women and their freedom, refugees may find peace walking to a neighboring country such as Jordan which is more liberal. The women there are allowed to wear Western-Style clothing and are not berated for choosing not to wear a hijab. The building will allow occupants to feel empowered with the rights they are given to recharge and rejuvenate in peace.

The targeted user group is Iranian women, children, and elderly. The space will fulfill the adult’s needs of having a phone to call relatives, storage for personal items, help with documentation, kitchen for cooking traditional food, shower, soft seating for recovery from walking, and an area for retaining pack animals. The children will require an area for imaginary play, a resting area, positive distractions, enriching and stimulating colors, and tools to access different parts of the space.