A Growing Global Crisis
As of 2024, over 122.6 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and natural disasters. While early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and climate adaptation efforts have reduced loss of life, the reality remains stark: millions—especially those in vulnerable, low-income communities—continue to lose their homes and livelihoods. Climate change is intensifying these crises, and the number of displaced people is expected to grow significantly in the years ahead.
What We Do
At PSR, we work closely with displaced communities to understand their needs firsthand. Using our experience in architecture, design, and construction, we create thoughtful, functional spaces that offer safety, dignity, and a sense of belonging. Our work is rooted in collaboration, resilience, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home—even in the most challenging circumstances.
The three pillars of PSR:
Knowledge
Exchange
Learning from others and sharing our own experience. Together we can make a difference
With The People
For The People
Using participatory design approach to give people a voice in the creation of their own spaces
Sustainable
Architecture
Implementing environmental, social and economic requirements into each design
About Us
Project Safe Refuge is a non-profit foundation, which brings together a team of young international change-makers. As a voluntary initiative PSR was formed in March 2022 in response to current humanitarian crises.
PSR became a foundation in October 2023 in Delft, Netherlands.
Team
Our team consists of architects and designers from different corners of the world. This diversity in background and expertise allows us to think out of our box and come up with innovative ideas.
Our members are united by the belief that architecture can make a valuable positive impact for the people and the planet.
PSR collaborates with engineers, architects, NGOs, like-minded initiatives and communities.
Our Mission
We design with the people, for the people.
Project Safe Refuge strives to support refugees as well as
externally & internally displaced populations, by providing architectural and design services. Putting the communities we serve in the centre of our work, we aim to create safe, dignified,
culturally sensitive, sustainable and comfortable spaces,
that they can call their own. Our goal is to make all research and knowledge gathered throughout our experience freely available to like-minded changemakers.
Vision & Objective
Our vision is to alleviate some of the hardships of displaced populations. We want to become changemakers in the field of humanitarian design.
The purpose of Stichting Project Safe Refuge is to develop and realise design and architectural projects enhancing the life and wellbeing of refugees. Moreover, Stichting Project Safe Refuge incorporates research and non-formal education as means to promote participatory design and to disseminate relevant knowledge.
Values
1. Participatory process - we are treating the people as experts in their own spaces. They are an equal stakeholder in the design process
2. Culturally sensitive - taking into account the unique backgrounds and habits of our users
3. Circularity - it is our long term ambition for our designs to become as circular as possible
4. Affordable - making design available for those in need, without diminishing quality
5. Transparency - Openness builds trust. We are open about what we do, how we work and who we work with
6. Collaboration - We can do more if we work together - together with the users, with experts, with communities and with other initiatives
7. Diversity - We believe there is value in diversity and therefore have an international team with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. Different points of view make our work richer
Yearly overview
