Reviving the historic center of a village of 1,600 people, the project responds to isolation and limited resources. Two abandoned buildings will be adapted for reuse as working spaces with an eco-kitchen, followed by the rehabilitation of surrounding spaces. The new facilities will include interactive educational playgrounds for children, winter and summer seating areas, and a protected bird habitat – combining design, planning, restoration, landscaping, and infrastructure.

The project is based on a year-long process with the community prior to its implementation. Women led the way in the training on grey water and green roof installation. The building itself has been leased free-of-charge to the women for 12 years. Local landlords offered the surrounding spaces for communal use. The project is based on local knowledge in construction, combining high-tech features using low-tech means. Traditional building materials on site are recycled. Rammed earth and gabion wall techniques were tested as alternatives to concrete. Since Palestine is one of the busiest corridors for bird migration in the world, hosting around 500 million birds every season, and Beit Iksa is located along the bird route – part of the project is a decorative bird folly that provides a nesting and rest-area.

The project is a collective effort; Riwaq initiated and fund-raised for the project, the community contributed from its own resources, individuals offered their properties, and the Village Council offered public works. Once completed, the eco-kitchen will support 35 women bread-winners, contributing to long-term economic and social life through the reclamation of the historic space and reintroduction of communal practices.

Read project overview: Adaptive Re-Use: Women’s center and playground