This weeklong pilot study concentrating on migration, architecture and the arts (film). The study, which is the “trial and error phase” of a larger practice-based participatory research project, tests the scholars’ ideas about the refugees’ “lived spaces” including their homes, streets, workplaces, as well as the places they go for education, shopping and leisure. Carried out with refugees who are amongst 3,5 million registered Syrians in Turkey, the study uses filmmaking to understand and share their architectural/urban needs and challenges in Istanbul. This study is supported by Culture and Society Research Cluster at QUB.