Chinese and German students discuss at the workshop. [Photo/Tide News]

Chinese and German university students have joined forces in Hangzhou to design low-carbon, long-term emergency shelters capable of housing over 1,000 people for up to two years.

The 10-day workshop, held at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, brought together 31 students from China and Germany, as well as international participants from Russia and Morocco, to develop solutions tailored to Asia, Africa, and Europe, with a focus on climate adaptation and disaster resilience.

Guided by faculty from both countries, students tackled key challenges, including site selection, climate analysis, material use, and modular construction. Designs emphasized sustainability, with some teams proposing the use of local materials such as clay, straw, and reeds to reduce carbon impact.

Participants said the biggest takeaway was cross-cultural collaboration. By blending different design philosophies, teams produced more balanced and innovative solutions.

Beyond the studio, field trips to traditional architecture sites in eastern China deepened understanding of how buildings interact with local environments.

Chinese and German students work on their project. [Photo/Tide News]