Sustainable building materials factory Along the Separation Wall in Jerusalem
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Date
2025
Authors
لارا جهاد بصلات
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Abstract
My project is a factory for the production of sustainable building materials. It aims to transform the rubble of the Separation Wall and demolished structures into eco-friendly construction materials used for reconstruction and renewal. The project utilizes advanced recycling technologies to produce materials such as bendable concrete, self-healing concrete, AshCrete, Hempcrete, and terrazzo tiles — all designed to reduce the carbon footprint and support a more sustainable future.
The project is built on a powerful symbolic concept: turning a tool of restriction and division — the Separation Wall — into a source of growth and construction. A structure that once represented separation now becomes part of a production process that supports unity, rebuilding, and economic independence. This transformation is reflected in the architectural design, which follows the original line of the Wall as the main axis. Along this path, production units are distributed, connected by a transparent overhead bridge known as “The Freedom Path”, allowing visitors to observe the production process and engage with the project's message.
The factory is located in the Qalandiya area — a strategic contact point that ensures efficient access and transportation. It includes several key zones: raw material reception and sorting, recycling, production, research and development, education and training, as well as storage and distribution. These spaces are organized in a sequential, functional layout to ensure workflow efficiency and integration.
The project addresses the Palestinian market’s need for sustainable local building materials, while also offering an architectural model that carries a national and humanitarian message. It uses sustainability as a tool for freedom and reconstruction. The design integrates function and symbolism, transforming physical scars left by occupation into active components in building a better environment.