Adobe, once a prevalent building material across Palestine and the Arab World, has largely fallen out of use over the past century. In recent years, various groups have sought to revive this traditional technique, motivated by concerns about ecology, housing security, and cultural identity. This talk focuses on revival efforts in Palestine’s Jordan Valley, led by architectural practices, institutions like the UNESCO, and youth groups. It explores both the limitations and possibilities of these initiatives, noting while many proposed solutions did not fully address the needs of the local population - resulting in limited adoption - they still provide a foundation for further exploration. By bridging architecture, craftsmanship, and activism, these efforts suggest new paths forward. Faiq Mari will reflect on these initiatives and discuss present conditions and possible trajectories for architecture in Palestine and the Arab world. 

This talk is in Arabic. 

Faiq Mari (PhD) is Assistant Professor at the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Birzeit University. His research explores the spatiality of Palestinian anticolonial and socioeconomic struggle. He has practiced architecture and taught at Birzeit and Al-Quds Universities; his writings appeared in the Journal of Palestine Studies, Babelwad, and other journals and edited volumes.

Photo of Bardalah Community Center (2018) Credit: JVS