Architecture provides shelter. Victims in areas directly affected by a disaster have the greatest need for shelter: thousands are suddenly without a place to live. Their homes in ruins, their regional infrastructure collapsed, the returning population needs immediate and temporary housing. The architects and designers of the world can help.

The challenge of this year's Design Village Competition is to design and build an emergency dwelling which responds to the needs of Disaster Relief. The goal is to foster the development of transitional housing methods that can relieve suffering and speed the transition back to a normal way of life.-----------------------------------------------