Bloom Beyond Borders
Global Refugee Crisis meets the Climate Crisis
Team Project - 5 Members
Biomimicry
Service Design
Design for Reality
Medan, Indonesia
Bloom Beyond Borders is a biomimicry-inspired spatial and social ecosystem designed to support displaced refugees in Indonesia through dignity, adaptability and regeneration. Bloom reframes refugee support as a living, inclusive and regenerative process rather than a temporary intervention.
Challenge
Today we are facing a polycrisis—climate change, sea-level rise, land subsidence, displacement; In Indonesia specifically, this environmental instability creates a set of "climate refugees" alongside a protracted humanitarian crisis. Approximately 13,700 refugees from over 50 nations are stranded in Indonesia annually; these individuals are often left in a state of prolonged limbo—lacking access to legal employment, formal education or permanent resettlement options. This leads to isolation, stagnation and limited pathways to rebuild their lives. Traditional humanitarian responses tend to prioritize short-term relief over long-term integration, often neglecting emotional, cultural and social dimensions of healing and empowerment.
Solution
BLOOM offers a systems-based, regenerative solution that transforms refugee support into an inclusive, community-powered experience. Designed to act as a "third place" to bridge the social divide, the solution aims to combine principles of spacial design with service flows. Drawing from the fluid, responsive movement of the Lion’s Mane Jelly (Cyanea capillata), the project integrates shelter, community spaces and cultural exchange into a dynamic environment that fosters connection between refugees and host communities. These flexible structures are embedded within a program that encourages craft-making, cultural storytelling, and shared rituals—creating points of connection between refugees and locals. Key components of the solution include:
The People's Pavillion: A central cultural touchpoint that serves as an interaction zone for locals and refugees, while also functioning as a climate refugium and flood-mitigation space.
Refugee Gazebos: Dedicated areas where displaced individuals can engage in purposeful activities such as agriculture, textiles and crafts, providing them with agency and potential revenue.
The Mural Wall: A structural addition consisting of puzzle pieces and mirrors that provides necessary security between zones while bridging the gap through inclusion.
Resilient Design: The use of bamboo support structures, tensile cables and permeable pavers ensures the site remains functional during flooding by absorbing water and replenishing ground levels.
BLOOM does not impose aid; it facilitates agency, allowing displaced individuals to contribute meaningfully to the communities they’re part of, while fostering safety, dignity and collective resilience.
