The house as an urban process

Vernacular architecture

Following a deep observation of Galicia roofs in the old city of Jerusalem, my partner, Tom Asiskovich, and I discovered various architectural phenomena that produce tense situations and complex layers of private and public spaces. We chose to study the vernacular architecture as it constitutes the main building method in that area. After a long process of examination and analysis, we started producing documents that study a suggestive situation of the area in 10 years from the date of submitting the project, taking into consideration many parameters including the natural increase of population and the development of existing programs, ignoring any surprising or unexpected events that may occur during the 10 years. the following step was to plan temporary events, with the same language of vernacular architecture in the old city, that would occur on top of the future image of the area that we have suggested.

Bioarchitecture

This project is a spacial installation that illustrates an unusual interaction between biology and architecture. We were asked as part of a first-year architectural project to study one body movement through a series of stop-motion photos and diagrams, and translate it into a 3D duplicative unit using a maximum of 3 materials. This unit should have the ability to move similarly to the body organ we have chosen to study. The following step was to build a big structure of approximately 1.5*1.5*1.5 cubic meters using a duplication of the units, connect it from one side to the body organ that creates the movement and from the other side to any object in the space, with which an interesting interaction between body and space would be produced. My interpretation of the project illustrates an interaction between a movement produced by my legs and the ceiling of an elevator. The structure was made of a unit duplicated in different scales creating a smooth movement extended from my body. the installation included an element of surprise, since it was placed inside an elevator creating an interaction with the user of this small completely-enclosed space, squeezing it and changing its internal shape according to the movement of people inside.

Checkpoint bag

This bag narrates the struggle that thousands of Palestinians go through daily. It reveals the system of the checkpoint that is purposely designed to make the experience as irritating as possible. The bag is not simply adapting and giving up control to the system, but challeng- es it by empowering the people. Waiting in long lines, cramped spaces and pushing between the crowds becomes smoother with the extra cushioned back. A horizontal order of pockets allow for additional compartments, easily accessible by hand. Israeli soldiers viewing x-ray machines will see a hidden pattern of the ‘Right of Return’ keys (Haqq al-awda). Visible only under the machine, it becomes a meaningful symbol claiming the right to freedom of movement and return to the homeland. Designed by Areej Ashhab (PS), Florian Mecklenburg (DE), Monika Grütze (LV). Manufacturer: Yehya Al Herbawi (Old City, Jerusalem). Year of design: 2015. Materials: Leather, metal zippers, printed aluminium foil. Size: 37 * 28 * 14 cm.