Future Aleppo

"Future Aleppo" is a 4x4 foot section from a miniature paper model city built by 14-year-old Mohammed Qutaish in his home in Aleppo toward the end of 2015. Mohammed, who has lived one third of his life in a civil war that has left an estimated half-million people dead and millions more displaced, has been motivated by the destruction he has witnessed and plans to become an architect to help rebuild his ancient city, a UNESCO world heritage site. Mohammed has kept himself focused in his home in the middle of the war-zone by building a model of his vision of the future city.

Using paper, paint, glue and some of his toys, Mohammed's Future Aleppo features helipads, gardens, solar panels, rooftop pools, bridges and a train system. "I am building the Syria of tomorrow. I hope that one day these paper buildings will become real buildings," Qutaish proclaims.

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