Students of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQ) have ventured on a project aimed at providing a well designed and healthy accommodation for expatriate workers here.

The project, which was discussed by students with experts and designers during the recent design conference hosted at the VCUQ, is going well, according to Allyson Vanstone, Dean of VCUQ.

Vanstone described the project as very effective and will change the region’s face when it comes to providing housing for workers. She said the project, whose details will be announced later, needs substantial financing because of its scale.

In addition, she said the project is set to transform expatriate workers’ life because the project is being executed using unique design which promotes good health of the dwellers.

Vanstone said the students are working to develop the project in partnership with Texas A&M University, Qatar Science and Technology Park, and a number of consultants in the energy sector and social scientists.

The project which gets support from H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, Chairman of Qatar Foundation Board of Directors, is in development stage. The prototype will be launched in January next year including an economic feasibility analysis and work plan.

Local companies will be collaborating to establish the housing project aimed to make Qatar a pioneer in the region. She explained that the design process also included several intensive workshops with the United Nations as the innovations can be reproduced to provide temporary housing for the people of Gaza and other areas in crisis.

The project will work on systems integration and sustainable energy in housing and design.

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