MYCARE HQ Office
A Space of Purpose: Architecture in Service of Humanity
Located within a 4-storey, dual-lot building, the MYCARE HQ Office spans approximately 8,000 sqft and presents a compelling case for architecture rooted in values. Guided by a humanitarian ethos and driven by a minimal budget, the design embraces recycled materials, salvaged furniture, and a raw aesthetic to communicate a deeper story—one of resilience, resourcefulness, and remembrance.
Design Narrative
At the heart of the spatial concept lies a powerful metaphor: the hardship experienced in war-torn regions and the enduring spirit of those affected. This is expressed architecturally through broken brick walls, intentionally left exposed and fragmented. These elements do not serve a purely decorative function—they are designed as living memory walls. By exposing the materiality of damage, they evoke empathy and reflection, urging both staff and visitors to remain grateful for peace and to stay committed to humanitarian service.
The design resists the urge for polish. Instead, it allows imperfections to take center stage. Patinated surfaces, mismatched furniture, and found materials are purposefully integrated, creating a layered space that echoes the frugal realities faced by the communities MYCARE supports.
Spatial Strategy
Programmatic clarity underpins the design of this four-level facility:
Ground Floor: Serving as the logistical backbone of the building, the ground level is allocated for a warehouse, storing essential supplies and rescue materials ready for deployment during emergencies.
Level 1: Originally intended for office use, this floor has been reprogrammed as rentable space—comprising meeting rooms, seminar spaces, and discussion areas. This strategic move generates a sustainable income stream while encouraging community interface.
Level 2: Now the heart of the operational HQ, this level houses MYCARE’s main office functions, encouraging collaboration and administrative efficiency in a compact, well-lit environment.
Top Floor: Designed for the wellbeing and regeneration of staff, the top level includes a podcast recording area, a rest/sleeping zone for volunteers returning from long missions, a ping pong table, and a staff library. These amenities reflect MYCARE’s care-for-the-carer philosophy, creating a restorative environment within a space of action.
A Reflection of MYCARE’s Values
The architectural framework is an extension of MYCARE’s mission—to mobilize resources, build community resilience, and respond compassionately to crises around the world. Founded on Islamic humanitarian principles, MYCARE’s work is grounded in values of empathy, social justice, and sustainable impact. The HQ echoes this mission at every scale: from the tactile experience of reused materials to the strategic zoning of spaces that support both operational agility and emotional wellbeing.
In eschewing luxury in favor of intention, the MYCARE HQ Office becomes more than a workplace—it is a spatial embodiment of humanitarian purpose. It demonstrates how architecture, when guided by strong values, can be a quiet yet powerful force for good.