Decolonizing Architecture Project Proposes Reuse of Israeli Settlements and Military Bases in Palestine
The Decolonizing Architecture project, led by Sandi Hilal, Alessandro Petti, and Eyal Weizman, investigates the transformation of abandoned Israeli settlements and military installations in Palestine. Featured in the January 2009 issue 20 of Afterall, this initiative considers architecture a strategic asset in the Palestinian struggle, emphasizing flexible 'fragments of possibility.' The project examines two locations: the P'sagot settlement close to Jerusalem and the former Oush Grab military base near Beit Sahour, Bethlehem. The proposal for P'sagot suggests 'ungrounding' to develop public areas, while the Oush Grab initiative advocates for a 'return to nature.' This work emerged from a residency in Beit Sahour and partnerships with various organizations, showcased at the 2008 Venice Biennale and other locations, highlighting decolonization as a continuous endeavor.
Key facts
- The Decolonizing Architecture project is directed by Sandi Hilal, Alessandro Petti, and Eyal Weizman.
- The project was published in Afterall issue 20 in January 2009.
- It proposes reusing evacuated Israeli settlements and military bases in Palestine for new collective functions.
- Two prototype sites are P'sagot settlement and the Oush Grab military base.
- For P'sagot, the 'ungrounding' strategy transforms surface infrastructure to create public spaces.
- For Oush Grab, the plan involves perforating buildings for birds and altering fortifications.
- The project was exhibited at the 2008 Venice Biennale of Architecture, Gemak Gallery, and Bozar.
- Collaborations included Bir Zeit University, the International Art Academy in Palestine, and the Sakakini centre.
Entities
Artists
- Sandi Hilal
- Alessandro Petti
- Eyal Weizman
- Frantz Fanon
- Derek Walcott
- Ann Stoler
- Eloisa Haudenschild
- Steve Fagin
- Barbara Modolo
- Pietro Onofri
- Armina Pilav
- Rana Shakaa
- Manuel Singer
- Alessandro Zorzetto
- Mario Abruzzese
- Jiries Boullata
- Sara Pellegrini
- Francesca Vargiu
- Armin Linke
- Francesco Mattuzzi
- Renato Rinaldi
- Roberto Sartor
- Allegra Martin
- Fabio Franz
- Ursula Biemann
- Bianca Elzenbaumer
- Vincenzo Castella
- Anne Gough
- Zakiya Hanafi
- Jake Himmel
- Jesse Long
- Salvatore Porcaro
- Francesca Recchia
- Lorenzo Romito
- Rianne Van Doeveren
- Nasser Abourahme
- Senan Abdel Kader
- Giorgio Agamben
- Yazid Anani
- Stefano Boeri
- Teddy Cruz
- Lieven De Cauter
- Jad Isaac
- Reem Fadda
- Thomas Keenan
- Laura Kurgan
- Omar Jabary Salamanca
- Andrew Ross
- Salim Tamari
- Omar Yusuf
- Mustafa Barghouthi
Institutions
- Afterall
- Venice Biennale of Architecture
- Gemak Gallery
- Bozar
- Spare Parts
- haudenschildGarage
- Salottobuono
- Situ Studio
- Palestine Wildlife Society
- International Art Academy Palestine
- Goldsmiths Centre for Research Architecture
- Bir Zeit University
- Sakakini
- Al Quds municipality
- Likud party
- Palestinian Authority
- Popular Front
- Oslo Accords
- Islamic university of Al Quds
- Al-Muqata
Locations
- London
- Bethlehem
- Venice
- Den Haag
- Brussels
- New York
- Palestine
- Israel
- West Bank
- Gaza Strip
- Jerusalem
- Ramallah
- Beit Sahour
- Jabel Tawil
- P'sagot
- Oush Grab
- Sinai Peninsula
- Yamit
- Gaza
- Al Quds
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Iraq
- Australia
- United States
- Europe
- Africa
- Arab revolt
- 1948 Palestine
- 1967 occupied areas
Sources
- Afterall —