Restoring a Traditional Well in Tunisia's Grand Erg Oriental
A traditional masonry well has been refurbished in the Grand Erg Oriental, situated over 30 kilometers from the closest village. This well, which previously served as a watering source for livestock and a haven for shepherds, had become silted and collapsed. The restoration, spearheaded by Le laboratoire d'architecture, A4 Architecture, and Bled El Abar Collective, included removing sand, cleaning the well and its trough, and erecting hedges of date palm fronds to shield it from wind. Additionally, a shelter made of palm wood was constructed. The project, encompassing 10 m², was finalized in 2025, with lead architects Vanessa Lacaille, Mounir Ayoub, and Hamed Kriouane, and civil services from the Sabria community. It falls under landscape architecture and is located in Tunisia.
Key facts
- Well located in the dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental, over 30 km from nearest village.
- Well used for millennia by North African pastoral nomads.
- Used as watering point for camels, goats, sheep, and refuge for shepherds.
- Well was silted up and collapsed before restoration.
- Restoration involved removing sand, cleaning and restoring well and trough.
- Protected with hedges made of date palm fronds and shelter built using palm wood.
- Project area is 10 m², completed in 2025.
- Lead architects: Vanessa Lacaille, Mounir Ayoub, Hamed Kriouane.
Entities
Artists
- Vanessa Lacaille
- Mounir Ayoub
- Hamed Kriouane
Institutions
- Le laboratoire d'architecture
- A4 Architecture
- Bled El Abar Collective
- Sabria community
Locations
- Grand Erg Oriental
- Tunisia