Mohammed Alkhateeb

Syrian architect who designed refugee camp schools to become permanent community centers

Mohammed Alkhateeb (b. 1975) is a Syrian architect whose innovative school designs transformed refugee camps into sustainable communities. After fleeing Syria's civil war in 2012, he developed the 'School-in-a-Box' concept while working with UNICEF in Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp. His modular schools use locally sourced materials and solar power, costing 40% less than traditional structures while providing earthquake-resistant classrooms with integrated water systems.

Alkhateeb's most notable achievement is the School-in-a-Box prototype completed in 2014, which incorporated movable partitions allowing spaces to adapt from classrooms to healthcare centers. Over 50 of his designs have been built across Middle Eastern refugee settlements, serving 15,000+ children. His approach prioritizes community involvement in construction, training 300+ refugees as skilled laborers.

His work earned the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2019) and inspired similar initiatives in Bangladesh's Rohingya camps. Alkhateeb's philosophy emphasizes 'architecture with dignity' - ensuring facilities maintain cultural identity while meeting modern needs. His 2017 TED Talk 'Building Hope in Refugee Camps' has over 2 million views.

Current projects include the EcoCamp Hub initiative in Lebanon, combining education centers with solar farms and agricultural training. He advocates for refugee camps to be planned as transitional communities rather than temporary solutions.