Cardboard Shelter is an annual design project for the Qualifying Year of Architecture students. The project is led by Aurel Fabri, who has a long-term experience with that.

At the Project, students worked in small groups, aiming to develop teamwork and communication skills. Such a group work has been quite challenging for some of these students that they develop their shelters from scratch to completion on a 1:1 scale and they have made many efforts to it.

Students come up with their initial design ideas, which they develop further in order to ensure that the shelter meets many specific requirements, to achieve high aesthetic quality, good stability, and be developed with high-quality craftsmanship details.

Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi, Head of Department of Architecture and Built Environmental, recognised efforts put by staff and students in this project and also the collaboration between the Department and UNNC Library. He said that this project is probably one of the most rewarding parts of the architectural design practice—to have something physical and be used by people. He shared his experience of being an academic and writing books. It is the same feeling to see his book published and put on the shelf.

Aurel Fabri told us that the students of the Qualifying Year have handled this difficult task brilliantly. The Shelters were originally exhibited in the PMB Atrium, and selected Shelters have been later on display in the lobby of the UNNC Library. UNNC students and staff are cordially invited to go and have a visit there.

Students have been praised for their good work by both, the ABE Department and the Library. The Cardboard Shelter Award Ceremony has been held in the Library on 22nd December 2021.