University : Mutah University
Tutor(s) : Dr Jenan Abu Qadourah.
Project Description
Ain Sarah Interpretation and Experience Center is a cultural and landscape-based architectural project located in Karak, Jordan, designed to revive and reinterpret a historically and environmentally significant site. The project aims to transform Ain Sarah from a neglected natural spring area into an immersive educational and experiential destination that celebrates water, memory, and local heritage.
The design is structured as a sequential journey rather than a single building, guiding visitors through a carefully choreographed path that begins with a descending entrance overlooking the site. This movement gradually unfolds a series of spatial experiences including terraces, water elements, shaded gathering areas, interpretation blocks, workshops, and viewing platforms oriented toward Mount Noah and the surrounding landscape.
Architecture and landscape are treated as one integrated system. Local materials, earth-toned textures, and stepped forms respond directly to the site’s topography, minimizing visual impact while enhancing environmental harmony. Water, as the core narrative element, is reintroduced not only as a physical presence but also as a symbolic and educational medium that tells the story of Ain Sarah’s historical role in sustaining life and settlement.
The project emphasizes sustainability through passive design strategies, natural ventilation, shaded circulation, and respect for existing vegetation. Socially, it aims to serve as a cultural hub for local communities while attracting visitors interested in heritage tourism, learning, and reflection.
Ain Sarah Interpretation and Experience Center represents a contemporary architectural response rooted in place, history, and landscape, offering a meaningful dialogue between past, present, and future.
Established in 2012, Tamayouz Excellence Award is an unaffiliated, independent initiative that aims to advance the profession of architecture academically and professionally. Tamayouz is dedicated to supporting aspirational and transformative projects that tackle local and global challenges and that are informed by a holistic understanding of context.