Mission, Purpose & Aims

Mission

Liquid Space Lab carries out empirical research on vulnerable human settlements to ground its advice to governments at all levels, humanitarian organizations, and grassroots groups regarding these forms of human vulnerability and to improve the living conditions of the affected populations.

Purpose

By applying the unique perspectives of environmental design, architecture, and urban planning to the conditions endured by those living in vulnerable settlements, Liquid Space Lab enhances the understanding and problem-solving capacity of the governments, humanitarian organizations, and grassroots groups involved in managing these situations for the sustained betterment of their residents’ lives.

Aims

Liquid Space Lab aims to be a significant contributor internationally and locally to solving problems of vulnerable human settlements as well as developing contingency plans for settlements at risk of future vulnerability. It aims to make considerations of architecture and urban design integral to humanitarian relief and reconstruction to ensure that humanitarian work recognizes and takes into account the spatial aspects of people’s lives in developing effective responses, noting that:

For solutions to be most effective and humane, the cultural aspects of the built environment must be recognized in designing both emergency and long-term responses.
The architectural aspects of the built environment ought to be considered not only with regard to housing but with regard to overall settlement design including urban plans, transportation, commerce, schooling, services, and supports for social relations and recreation.
Effective solutions require that those whose immediate and longer-term needs are being served have a fundamental role in the design of these solutions.