The project houses training programmes in education, trades and medical and disability services for Afghan refugee communities in the North West Frontier province of Pakistan. Construction of the training centre was intended to provide employment for the refugees, and on-the job training in skills.

Plan Rez de Chaussée / Ground floor plan
Plan Rez de Chaussée / Ground floor plan: The centre has a load-bearing brick structure on two floors, with offices, classrooms, workshops and wards for medical treatment grouped around a number of open courtyards. The emphasis is on flexibility to serve a variety of spatial requirements for training and treatment, and efficient use of the limited resources available for the project. © Architectes Sans Frontieres + Sarwatsaghir Architect

The ground floor of the complex is occupied by the medical training centre and hospital whilst the first floor houses class rooms and dormitories for students. A module of load-bearing, cement-stabilised brick measuring 4m x 8m is the basis of the construction. This module is simply repeated as required to attain the required surface, be it a simple classroom space or a treatment ward. The simplicity of the construction allowed the refugees themselves to gradually take control of the works. Externally, brick arches are the dominant feature, in an honest expression of the construction materials, and offer shade to the verandahs, which serve as circulation spaces.

Coupes / Sections
Coupes / Sections: Most important has been the issue of "solidarity" amongst refugee groups and assistance programmes, embodied by the construction of a single premises.  © Architectes Sans Frontieres + Sarwatsaghir Architect
Plan Etage / First floor
Plan Etage / First floor: Precise spatial needs were finalised during the construction phase in some cases, to allow a flexibility in planning for the various programmes. The standardised system of building is felt to have helped the "open" attitude towards design by architects. © Architectes Sans Frontieres + Sarwatsaghir Architect
Facades / Elevations
Facades / Elevations: The form is also a reaction to the principal external constraint - felt by the users - to face the centre during its present operation, which is prevailing lack of security, this is partly due to the location of the building (outside normal police control) and internal rivalries that characterise the afghan community. © Architectes Sans Frontieres + Sarwatsaghir Architect
Terasse / Roof Plan
Terasse / Roof Plan: Given the barren nature of the site, the landscaping of spaces within the centre has given courtyards and circulation areas on the southern side an air of small oases. The external landscaped areas in many cases are used as extension of internal space in summer. By contrast, there has been little landscaping on the northern side of the site, which is given to parking, cooking and laundry. © Architectes Sans Frontieres + Sarwatsaghir Architect
Facade / Elevation
Facade / Elevation: The brick elevations are articulated by a series of arched openings, either reflecting the structural bays within - as in the external elevations on the north and east - or a range of smaller openings, as in courtyard elevations. The apparent formality is belied by the diversity of openings used throughout the building. © Architectes Sans Frontieres + Sarwatsaghir Architect