RE.BUILD.
RE.CYCLED.
RE.CK.
Urban Vision. Real Places.
Our Mission
Creating New from Rubble
Recycling for Reconstruction in Crisis Regions
How do you rebuild when only rubble remains – while housing, jobs, and prospects are all lacking at the same time? This was the question Alfons Schwiderski – civil engineer, social entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of Robins Places – set out to answer. From this core idea, a simple and universally applicable construction innovation emerged: turning debris into new building blocks – without heavy machinery or expensive materials. RE.CK was born.
Together with construction experts in Germany and in crisis regions such as Syria, Alfons and his team are working to process existing construction waste into durable blocks for new buildings. In addition to cement, binders such as ash, clay, and earth can be used – materials that are locally available.
Robins Places is a nonprofit organization through which we, together with our partners, implement RE.CK in real-world projects, build up local production capacities, and train people on the ground for reconstruction. In this way, an initial idea evolves into a collaborative approach for creating safe housing and long-term employment in crisis regions.
Alfons, inventor of the RE.CK and Omar present the first RE.CK blocks.
RE.CK for RE.BUILD with the People
& for the People on the ground.
Third Trip to Syria &
Visit to Syria BUILDEX 2026
During our third visit to Syria, we participated in Syria BUILDEX 2026 n Damascus from June 10-14, 2026 – one of the most important construction trade fairs in the MENA region, which vividly reflects the momentum of reconstruction. Several hundred companies from over 40 countries presented their solutions in building materials, construction technologies, and equipment.
While many exhibitors continue to rely on conventional concrete and steel technologies, we introduced RE.CK as an alternative approach: modular building blocks made from processed construction waste, enabling resource-efficient reconstruction with local labor. This led to numerous discussions and promising connections with companies and public institutions.
Beyond the exhibition, we once again gained valuable insights into the local construction sector. Particularly noteworthy were our meetings at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, as well as with representatives of the Syrian Engineers Association.
With each visit, our network grows and our understanding of the local conditions for sustainable reconstruction deepens.
Press
Building Blocks Made from Rubble for the Reconstruction of Syria
A reel by UNHCR Germany dated January 20, 2026
https://www.unhcr.org/de/news/stories/bausteine-aus-schutt-fuer-den-wiederaufbau-syriens
Building Blocks Made from Rubble for Syria and Gaza
An interview with Alfons and Omar
from Heiko Wirtz-Walter, Deutschlandfunk October 26, 2025
A drone flight over Aleppo, filmed by the Deutsche Welle team during Alfons and Omar’s second trip to Syria.
Experiences from the Second Trip to Syria
From November 6 to 13, 2025, we returned to Aleppo to establish new connections—including with construction companies and experienced project developers—and to gain valuable insights into the framework conditions for reconstruction in the city. These included:
- Information on how land prices vary depending on location
- Cost estimates for the structural shell of residential buildings and prices for subsequent interior finishing works
- Insights into sales prices and current rental levels across different neighborhoods
- Typical material prices as a benchmark for the RE.CK block
- Knowledge on how to set up local productiont
👉 One aspect is particularly important to us: it is not only about housing. Aleppo needs jobs—and this is exactly where our system demonstrates its strengths. People without a construction background can be trained quickly and actively participate in rebuilding their city.
Another highlight of our trip was an interview with Deutsche Welle.
About
Robins Places gGmbH – formerly Neues Zuhause – was founded in 2015 by Alfons Schwiderski. The idea was simple but important: to give refugees a home. Apartments were rented and sublet to those in need. In the first five years, more than 50 homes were provided. In 2021, the housing projects were handed over to the „PERSPEKTIVE Wohnen Foundation“ – and for Alfons and his team, a new chapter began: Robins Places.
Today, the focus is on creating housing in war and crisis regions – built modularly, with simple means and local materials.
To make this vision possible, Alfons developed the RE.CK building block – a system that enables fast, stable, and sustainable construction even under the toughest conditions.
Our vision
Our vision is to transform devastated neighborhoods into vibrant, inclusive living and working spaces for everyone. Using the RE.CK system and locally trained teams, we turn rubble into safe homes and create long‑term, dignified jobs. Refugees, returnees, and long‑time residents live and work side by side in diverse, dynamic communities. Local jobs, community services, and reliable support structures enable people on the ground to build a self‑determined and hopeful future.
Team
Alfons
Founder, Managing Director, and inventor of two innovative construction systems – RE.CK and BONO.BLOCK, a modular timber element. As a social and serial entrepreneur, he combines technical expertise with entrepreneurial foresight. Alongside his nonprofit work at Robins Places gGmbH, he co-leads an architecture firm, sets new standards in simple, sustainable, and efficient construction and runs a mobile care service – proving that social responsibility and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.
Sylvia
Serial entrepreneur with a focus on digital strategies. She oversees operations and project management, bringing in her experience as a startup founder and her work with non-profit organizations.
Omar
Draftsman responsible for the technical drawings of the RE.CK and related building projects. Born in Syria, with Arabic as his native language, he is active in local networking initiatives and promotes intercultural exchange.