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University : Damascus University
Tutor(s) : Hanan aboud
Project Description
This project envisions a transformative connection between Ghouta’s natural environment and an abandoned industrial site near Damascus. Our goal is to revitalize the site and its surroundings, catalyzing the regeneration of Ghouta through sustainable urban renewal strategies. By preserving the area’s cultural and agricultural heritage, we aim to reimagine the industrial building to serve the local community. With the factory’s original purpose now obsolete, we seek to repurpose this space to benefit Ghouta’s residents, who maintain a deep connection to agriculture and the land. Transformation of the Industrial Site: Once marked by industrial harm, conflict, and economic decline, the site will be reborn as a vibrant development center. Ghouta, with its historical and agricultural significance, will bridge the natural landscape with the revitalized industrial building. Through a comprehensive program, we will restore the area’s ecosystem, bringing new life to neglected spaces. The development will include education, organic and vertical farming, research, cultural activities, recreation, entertainment, investment, and tourism. This transformation will replace memories of conflict with clean air, making the site an attractive tourist destination and a catalyst for future urban expansion—a dynamic green cultural hub. Collaborative and Inclusive Planning: The project’s success depends on collaboration with stakeholders, including local farmers, residents, and experts. We will conduct workshops to guide landscape planning and land-use strategies, ensuring the project meets the community’s needs and aspirations. Preserving Identity and Memory: Our design focuses on revitalizing key areas, particularly the central square, entrances, and key movement axes. The building will seamlessly connect with the surrounding land, integrating blocks with the natural environment. Overlapping wooden modules will soften the industrial aesthetic, adding warmth and character to the space. Creative Agricultural Laboratory: Ghouta’s agricultural diversity requires a dedicated space for innovation in farming and food production. We propose converting the old pencil factory into an interactive agricultural laboratory—a hub for experiments and efficient food production. Visitors will engage with the stages of organic farming, explore the latest advancements in sustainable agriculture, and learn about innovative food processing techniques. Circular Economy and Sustainable Value Creation: The center will generate sustainable value across social, environmental, and economic dimensions. Repurposed warehouses, including the sulfur storage area, will become bustling markets for local farmers. The former compressed wood factory will house an exhibition of organic plants, connected by suspended walkways to an interactive hydroponics and aquaponics section. The project also embraces circular economy principles by reusing basements as public service areas for storage and recycling. Organic waste from markets, vertical farms, and food processing will be converted into fertilizers and agricultural aids, contributing to the community’s self-sufficiency. Learning, Commerce, and Interaction: The development will feature training facilities, interactive spaces, and market stalls, creating a dynamic environment where education, commerce, and community interaction converge. Educational spaces will offer a journey of presentation and exploration, reintroducing people to Ghouta’s agricultural heritage. This experience, supported by research and practical experiments, will engage farmers, tourists, residents, and students in pathways rich with experiences and exhibits.
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.