In a significant recognition of the intersection between architecture and humanitarianism, the project “Resilient Gaza: A Landscape of Resistance” has been awarded the prestigious Ethics and Values Award at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2024. Designed by Cairo-based firm Design & More International, this project stands as a beacon of hope and resilience in one of the world’s most beleaguered regions.
Gaza, one of the oldest continuously inhabited landscapes, has long been a symbol of resistance and survival amidst relentless conflict. The project’s architect, Islam El Mashtooly, emphasized Gaza’s historical significance, describing it as a “Landscape of Peace” despite its turbulent past. “The fact that Gaza has hosted so many cultures stands as a testament to its role throughout history,” El Mashtooly stated, reflecting on the region’s deep-rooted heritage.
The ongoing atrocities against Palestinians compelled the Design & More International team to envision a future where peace, self-sufficiency, and safety are not just aspirations but realities. Central to their vision is the transformation of Gaza into a sustainable and resilient landscape, where local resources and traditional practices play pivotal roles.
Key to this transformation is the project’s phased approach. The initial step focuses on soil remediation, using bioengineering and phytoremediation techniques to heal Gaza’s war-torn soils. The use of local materials, such as crushed rubble for gabion wall units and bamboo for engineered wood, exemplifies the project’s commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness.
The second phase, dubbed “Rebuilding of New Ground,” introduces innovative architectural solutions. Interconnected modules made from on-site materials are designed to create elevated structures, allowing for bioremediation processes at ground level. Rooftops are transformed into gardens of culturally significant crops, such as thyme, olives, and cactus, ensuring a self-sustaining food source for Gazans. Solar panels and wastewater processing systems further enhance the project’s sustainability credentials.
The final phase expands on these developments, integrating additional settlements with interconnected structures. Protective features like basement air raid shelters and facade-mounted algae biomass systems offer both safety and self-sufficiency to the local population.
El Mashtooly underscored that this vision for Gaza is not just about buildings, but about empowering the people of Gaza through the restoration of their agricultural and cultural heritage. “We see the process of rebuilding Gaza first and foremost as a process of rebuilding its landscapes and restoring the heritage of the land for Palestinians,” he explained.
“Resilient Gaza” offers more than just a blueprint for rebuilding; it provides a model that could be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges. Its recognition at the World Architecture Festival is a testament to the importance of addressing ethical and humanitarian concerns through innovative design. In a world where architecture often focuses on aesthetics and functionality, “Resilient Gaza” stands out as a project that prioritizes people and place, aiming to pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for Gaza and beyond.
Visualizations of the project were credited to Karim Moussa El Ramly, adding a visual dimension to this powerful narrative of resistance and resilience.
Photography: eVolo 2024 Skyscraper Competition
