Think of Islamic mud structures and more than likely the iconic Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali will come to mind. The largest mud brick building in the world, the mosque is considered to be amongst the greatest achievement of Sudano-Swahelian architecture and one of the most famous landmarks of Africa.

But it’s not only Africa that boasts impressive (and sustainable) mud structures, the Middle East is home to some of the most stunning mud buildings in the world. From Shibam – the Manhattan of the Desert – in Yemen to the Bam citadel of Iran, these mud structures show that there’s more to Muslim architecture than Mecca and Masdar.

Why is Mud Building Sustainable?

For thousands of years, mud has been used as building material because it’s cheap, widely available and durable. Although many question its durability, there are numerous ancient mud buildings which have withstood the test of time. Mud construction is also an extremely environmentally-friendly method as it creates little waste, there is minimal energy consumption (mostly in the construction and transportation process), and it is easy to maintain and recycle.

In fact, Hassan Fathy, who has been hailed as the Middle East’s father of sustainable architecture and was behind eco-projects such as the Gourna village in Egypt wrote: “For centuries, the peasant had been wisely and quietly exploiting the obvious building material, while we, with our modern school-learned ideas, never dreamed of using such a ludicrous substance as mud for so serious a creation as a house.”

Modern Living in the City of Shibam

Yemen is home to one of the most impressive, one of the oldest and also one of the tallest mud cities in the world. Before the city scrapers of New York, the city of Shibam had built high rise apartments out of mud which tower to over 100 feet and are between 5 and 11 storeys high.

Dating back to around the 2nd century CE, the city was built using local clay and is still home to around 7,000 residents who live in the fortified city.

Although it is over 2,000 years old, rain and erosion necessitates constant maintenance, which efforts are now supported by restoration and urban development programs. Nicknamed Manhattan of the Desert, the city is testament to the durability of mud not just for single structures but also for modern high-rise living.

Another impressive city made of mud is Bam in Iran. Built using mud bricks known as adobe, the Bam tower or citadel (Arg-e-Bam) is believed to have been the largest adobe building in the world and was built over 2,000 years ago.

At its peak, the city served as a site of pilgrimage and was the trading centre of the Silk Road, which brought goods from the Far East to the capitals of Europe. Sadly, an earthquake in 2003 destroyed a large part of the historic city (around 70%) and killed over 26,000 people. There were more later showing that earth architecture has some limits.

Mud Castles, Walls and Mosques

Other notable mud structures in the wider Muslim world include the Bob Dioulasso Grand Mosque in Burkina Faso, and the Khiva Wall in Uzbekistan, which is built around a collection of Islamic schools and mosques. The Siwa Oasis in Egypt (which we visited and posted about here) and the Eastern Castle in Syria have also employed mud bricks in their construction, and research shows that the famous walls of Jericho were built using sun-dried mud bricks.

Whilst these mud buildings may seem like something of the past, they are in fact increasingly considered as options for low-carbon and low-cost construction. As well as having a small footprint, mud structures have been shown to reduce energy consumption as they are able to regulate temperature.

Hopefully mud architecture will not only decorate our past, but our future too.

Image of Great Mosque in Mali via Juan Manuel Garcia and image of Bisham in Yemen by Aysegul Tastaban.

Updated 2025

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I’m always floored when architecture transcends gimmicks and becomes a force for good—design that’s not just beautiful, but meaningful, sustainable, and deeply rooted in community. That’s exactly why the winners of the 2025 Aga Khan Award for Architecture deserve our applause and attention.

On September 2 in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, the independent Master Jury unveiled seven inspiring winners from the 2023–2025 cycle. Spread across Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan, these projects blend climate adaptation, cultural preservation, education, and inclusive design—all powered by architecture’s quiet optimism. Collectively, they share a $1 million prize, but each brings its own vision of resilience and sustainability.

Let’s dive in to meet a few projects we love

Egypt – Revitalisation of Historic Esna

Once overlooked, Esna is now buzzing with restored architecture, cultural tourism, and grassroots economic life. A delicate balance of urban strategy and heritage preservation, showing how cities can heal through design.

Iran – Majara Residence & Community Redevelopment

Hormuz Island’s distinctive ochre hills inspired domed lodgings that merge with the rainbow landscape. The playful, vibrant pods build local tourism sustainably—keeping architecture poetic and place-based. Green Prophet’s architect writer and architect says the award is not justified for the Majara Residence which was built without environmental oversight and too close to the shore.

Iran – Jahad Metro Plaza, Tehran

An old metro station has been reborn as a bustling pedestrian hub. The design honors Iran’s architectural DNA with handmade bricks, tying heritage and urban renewal into one warm, textural monument.

Why These Projects Matter for Sustainability

What unites these winners is more than materials and design—it’s a shared commitment to building systems that last, uplift, and connect. From modular flood-ready homes in Bangladesh to cultural revival in Esna, each project shows how architecture can foster resilience—socially, environmentally, and psychologically.

As Prince Rahim Aga Khan put it, the Award aims to “plant seeds of optimism—quiet acts of resilience that grow into spaces of belonging, where the future may thrive in dignity and hope.” And Farrokh Derakhshani reminds us: “Architecture … can—and must—be a catalyst for hope, shaping not only the spaces we inhabit but the futures we imagine.”

The Aga Khan is the hereditary title held by the spiritual leader, or Imam, of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, a branch of Shia Islam. Today, the title is held by His Highness Prince Shah Karim al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV, who has led the Ismaili community since 1957. The position is both religious and philanthropic—the Aga Khan guides the faith of millions of Ismaili Muslims worldwide while also running one of the world’s largest private development networks: the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

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Palliative care is more than just medical attention for those with serious or terminal illnesses. It is about offering comfort, respect, and a space that fosters emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being in the final stages of life. The best place for one to die is probably at a safe space at home and in nature with your loved ones around. If the person you love does not feel safe in this configuration, as what happened in my family, the best is when you can find an institution that offers the next best thing.

A recent design unveiled by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) for a palliative care center and hospice in Denmark highlights how sustainable architecture can harmonize with nature and spirituality to offer an enriched and dignified end-of-life experience.

Bjarke Ingels Group has won the competition to design the new Sankt Lukas Hospice and Lukashuset, a 8,500 m² palliative care center envisioned as a village nestled within nature. Building on the legacy of the Sankt Lukas Foundation, established in the 1930s, this project will significantly expand Denmark’s palliative care capacity, tripling its current facilities to serve approximately 2,100 patients each year.

The architecture and design of palliative care spaces are crucial to creating an environment that promotes peace, dignity, and connection.

Related: most late stage treatments in cancer aren’t worth it

Sustainability in Palliative Care: A Healing Environment

The importance of sustainability in palliative care is not merely about protecting the environment; it’s about creating spaces that promote long-term healing, peace, and connection to the earth. The palliative care center designed by BIG uses natural, reclaimed materials like wood and brick, which not only reduce the environmental footprint of the building but also bring an inherent sense of history and permanence to the space.

Related: Canadians want end of life care with hallucinogenic mushrooms

Sustainable architecture, in its essence, recognizes that our well-being is intertwined with the health of the planet. For patients nearing the end of their journey, a space built with care for the earth can provide a profound sense of harmony. The use of natural materials, such as reclaimed bricks and sustainably sourced wood, evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity—creating a comforting, homely atmosphere rather than the cold, sterile feel of a traditional hospital.

This simple yet profound connection to nature and sustainability encourages a sense of groundedness for patients as they reflect on their lives and their place in the larger cycle of existence.

Nature as a Source of Healing and Spiritual Connection

There is an undeniable connection between nature and the human spirit. Throughout history, nature has been seen as a source of comfort and renewal, a place where individuals can find peace and clarity.

In palliative care, a place where people essentially go to die, connecting to the natural world can provide immense emotional and spiritual benefits for patients and their families. Nature acts as a mirror, reflecting the ongoing cycle of life and offering solace in times of uncertainty.

The Danish palliative care center is designed to embrace this connection. The space integrates abundant natural light, views of lush green landscapes, and access to gardens that invite patients and their families to spend time outdoors.

For those facing terminal illness, these natural elements offer moments of reflection, serenity, and spiritual renewal. Whether it’s watching the seasons change through a window, sitting in a garden surrounded by the hum of life, or simply breathing in the fresh air, the experience of nature in a palliative care setting can soothe the soul. This is important for the soul of the sick but also the loved ones that need to traverse the world in a new reality without the one that they know the way they once were.

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Binishells are a fast-made construction made by inflating a gigantic neoprene bladder then covering this balloon in a thin coat of reinforced spray-on concrete. The technique developed in the 60s by an Italian architect could be a great solution to urban and rural housing in southern United States and Mediterranean regions.

Concrete isn’t considered an environmental material (see the problem with concrete mining here) but perhaps the technique of creating a sort of paper mache with concrete sprayed on an inflatable surface could have applications in vernacular building thinking and the use of more natural materials.

How Binishells are created: architect Nicoló Bini starts with a two-dimensional shape on the ground, then adds wooden a form around an air bladder and reinforced steel rebar, and then places concrete that sets and slowly rises from the ground.

Some installations of this technique can cost only $3500 for a tiny home, posing a solution to a housing crisis.

The Italian-born, Australia-raised Bini started doing high-end work for Usher and Cara Delevingne but then grabbed onto an idea started by his Italian father which is now seen in seaside celebrity retreat or in disaster-area shelters that he has suggested for Pakistan and Ukraine and to protect Bedouin desert dwellers.

His father Dante Bini built some 1,600 Binishells globally making him the most prolific dome builder in the world. It’s a mode of building that sits well with Middle East and western sensibilities.

Among his projects are a cave-like bungalow in Malibu, custom-built for Robert Downey Jr. and his wife.

Fit for a Hobbit or the Jetsons or the Flintstones, this home was built with spray-on concrete and with advances in 3D printing we assume these structures could be built more quickly and safely using AI and current modeling software.

If you look to nature it’s not easy finding squares and sharp angles. Nature loves curves and shells for protection and for homes.

Binishells can be quickly erected with locally sourced materials and a minimum of specialized tools. Darin Olien, the wellness guru and producer/co-star (with Zac Efron) of the Netflix series Down to Earth is also planning on purchasing a Binishell home which will go further than the Downey home; it will operate off the grid.

Celebrities have the resources and money to try experimental buildings as they often have multiple homes and go for showstoppers for wowing the world. But Binishells, if made with earthen materials could give livable and loveable homes as envisioned by architects like Hassan Fathy.

Given that concrete does not do well in extreme cold climates like Canada where freezing and thawing in rapid succession would crack the concrete, this could be a good alternative in Mediterranean cities. Better yet, build the homes with surfaces so at the end of life the concrete can be thrown into the sea for coral reef restoration.

::Binishells

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Hassan Fathy, 1900 to 1989, was an Egyptian architect and a pioneer of sustainable architecture. His philosophy emphasized building with local materials and traditional techniques. He revived the lost skill of building homes and streets out of clay bricks, and out of that native material, built houses, mosques, and even an entire village. 

Fathy had unconventional, almost romantic, views on the power of architecture to improve even the most humble home. His Westernized contemporaries dismissed his ideas as irrelevant – throwbacks to the past in a world eager to pursue modernity. Almost unknown in Western culture, his vision, so ahead of its time, is beginning to intrigue architects again.

Before beginning to design a blueprint, Fathy studied the ecological conditions of the proposed locale, especially considering which direction winds blow there during the 24 hours. He designed windows and walls pierced in lattice designs to create shade and allow cooling ventilation to run through the rooms.  His wrote about his experiences with sustainable design in a seminal work, “Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture, Principles and Examples With Reference To Hot Arid Climates.”

He had a passion for the simple beauty of curved lines, holding that rooms with walls and roofs designed around curves, rather than geometrical lines, have the power to heal.

Most of all, he believed that the poor deserve not only comfortable homes but also beautiful surroundings that reflect timeless Egyptian designs and Islamic themes. 

Fathy’s students revered him as a sort of guru, but the Egyptian government, perhaps suspicious of his unconventional approach, failed to fund his projects to completion. Yet his projects survive, some physically on the ground and some in his collection of original blueprints, drawings, and published articles housed in the archives of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Geneva, Switzerland, and at the American University of Cairo. 

Fathy’s most impressive project was the construction of New Gourna Village between 1946 and 1952 at Luxor, Egypt. (It’s in shambles) The residents of the original Gourna lived over the Thebes cemetery. They made their living robbing the Pharaonic tombs and selling the antiquities on.  When the government woke up to the fact that priceless artifacts had been flowing out of Gourna for decades, they decided that the only way to stop the traffic was by relocating the residents. Although public officials had never been friendly toward Fathy, they granted him the construction of New Gourna in 1946.

Fathy proposed using clay bricks rather than cement to build New Gourna, although the skill had long since been forgotten in that part of Egypt. Having already successfully created clay buildings in Saudi Arabia, India and Greece, he brought skilled Nubian builders to teach the Gourna villagers. His reasoning was partly to use sustainable basic material and partly to provide the Gournians with a new, lucrative skill. Rather than robbing tombs, they would turn to agriculture, crafts, and brick-making. 

Remembering Hassan Fathy – Egypt’s Green Architect Of the People

He  invited the Gournians to participate in planning the new village, using their input in planning its buildings and layout. Important spaces like the mosque, the boy’s school, the khan and market naturally took prominence, but he was careful to oversee the smallest details in every home; for example, long benches built inside houses and courtyards, which, covered with cushions, served as  seating and even as beds for sleeping on during the hottest summer nights.

One anomaly was an outdoor theater, which still stands although it has never hosted a performance.

New Gourna village is now part of the World Heritage Centre property in Egypt.  Its homes and khan are seriously deteriorating today under factors like climate change, overcrowding, and underground water seepage. The village’s population has grown through multiple families under the same roofs, as men acquire second or third wives. The foundations, based on clay and salt, are collapsing.

There is still no modern sewage system. Sewage cisterns originally regularly emptied by trucks going around the streets, are leaking into the ground.  Residents, rightly concerned about the roofs over their heads, are clearing Fathy buildings away and building with concrete and red bricks. The Egyptian government neglects the situation. 

An article published in the Cairo Observer in 2013 argues that Fathy’s beliefs idealized the concepts of sustainable construction to the detriment of the people living in his buildings.

It’s acknowledged that New Gourna and other projects of Fathy’s were not built to withstand future changes. But Gournians, vehemently attached to their village, welcome reconstruction via UNESCO’s  World Heritage Centre, at the urging of the international association Save the Heritage Of Hassan Fathy. 

“We want to rebuild Gourna in Hassan Fathy’s spirit, although not with his materials,” they say. 

For Fathy’s spirit lives on. His “Architecture for the Poor: An Experiment in Rural Egypt” published in 1973, continues to inspire a new generation of architects around the world.

For more on Hassan Fathy and Gourna see:
Remembering Hassan Fathy – Egypt’s Green Architect Of the People
Hassan Fathy is the Middle East’s Father of Sustainable Architecture
13 Principles of Sustainable Architecture

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Now a young architect throws out a nationwide challenge, posting on his website, “Amman, it’s time to talk!”

Hanna Salameh, founder of the design firm that bears his name, has collaborated with architects on his staff to propose a radical solution to these faulty towers.  Renaming Jordan Towers as Jordan Gate Park, they envision a facility that returns a sense of place and scale to its neighborhood while serving as a fully visible beacon to renewable energy and the industry’s best practices in green design. If realized, it would transform them into the most sustainable development in the kingdom.

Green Prophet met up with Salameh to get the full story.

Green Prophet: Congratulations!  You’ve been the man of the moment on social media and radio; clearly you’ve touched on a something many locals are passionate about.

Hanna Salameh: Thanks, the response is overwhelming. We are getting comments on our Facebook page, company website, and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing.

GP: What’s the story of the site?

HS:  The towers were built on what used to be a public park that was created on lands donated to the city for that purpose. It’s not clear how the site was made available for private development. The park was surrounded by a dense residential neighborhood and was very popular. It had a large emotional legacy to those who grew up in that part of Amman.

The Jordan Gate project was riddled with problems. The site cannot support the added car traffic that the planned offices and commercial spaces would generate. Servicing its enormous water and sewage demands would be problematic too.

GP: What’s your story?

HS: I grew up in Jordan, and studied architecture at McGill University in Montreal. I returned home and in 2012 I started my company in Amman, Hanna Salameh Design. “Green” is in my blood.  I grew up surrounded by examples of sensible, sustainable design.

When I was a kid, my grandfather would take me with him to visit the many ancient castles in Jordan. I was always amazed how the interiors were cool, in sharp contrast to the intense heat and sunshine outside. He taught me about natural air conditioning, and skillful use of shade. I became passionate about smart passive design, using materials to decrease dependence on mechanical heating and cooling. My company is known for green design, our buildings use 50-70 percent less energy than those built according to standard practices.

GP: Regulations related to planning, design and construction in Jordan seem a bit lax. Building codes don’t seem to adopt international best practices, with many buildings under-insulated, with far too much exterior glass for the climate. There’s little evidence of robust planning around the impacts of new construction on traffic, parking, emergency services.  Do you think stronger, centralized codes would make sure developments were of better quality?

HS: Rigorous planning and clear codes of course would help. But my focus is on raising public awareness. There’s a lack of education about how our buildings could be better, without driving up costs or adding complication. A big part of the Jordan Gate Park project is about showing people how a large project can bring real benefits to its community.  This can generate renewable energy, provide needed public areas for people to relax and interact, it can even supply a steady, organic food supply – all of this open to the public to explore and learn about, and maybe even merge into their own homes.

GP: What motivated you to take on this project?

HS: As a Amman-based architecture firm, we decided to suggest a radical solution that could turn this potential disaster into a positive project that contributes to the sustainability of our country. Jordan has big energy and water problems. We can use these towers to fix part of these problems.

GP: What’s your approach?

HS: We start by removing most of the glass that now wraps the buildings – about 25,000 panels that we’ll re-purpose for other uses on and off site. We’ll sheath the southern facades with photovoltaic (PV) panels – we estimate using 1,500 PV panels, the equivalent of placing eight panels on every house in the surrounding 800 m2 neighborhood.

The towers have 180 m tall shafts for elevators and services. We will open several of these shafts to act as wind towers, siphoning hot air from ground level up through the roof, creating strong air currents in the process, which can be harvested by wind turbines to generate even more electricity.

HS:  But the most important thing we want to do is start urban farming, and turn these towers into vertical farms right in the middle of the city. Each floor is a potential farm with an area of 2,500 m2. Farmers can cultivate popular crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes that grow in natural sunlight, and introduce more exotic varieties in special-purpose controlled environments, enclosed in glass and illuminated by low-consumption LED lights.

The towers offer a total planting area of 200,000 m2, equivalent to transforming the entire street level community into a center-city farm!

HS: Another important aspect of our design is turning the site back into a public park, and help make these skyscrapers relate to human scale. We’ll open up the roof of the first-level basement to admit sunlight and connect it to the park above. We’ll re-purpose about 10,000 of the glass wall panels into stalls for a new farmers’ market. Tower farmers can sell their fresh produce directly to consumers, cutting out the middleman, shipping costs, and harmful CO2 emissions.

HS: As for the rest of those glass panels?  We’ll build 1,900 bus stops across Amman and the kingdom. They can be signed in interesting ways to promote tips of energy and water saving to create further awareness.

HS: There is a lot more we can do with these towers. Like creating a viewing deck on the top floor to enjoy the beautiful views of Amman. And a tower-top restaurant that serves food cooked from the delicious organic products grown in the towers. We want to create a green gym with sports equipment that generates electricity.

There’s so much more potential – we could add extreme entertainment such as bungee jumping off the towers, zip-lining between them, installing hi-tech roller coasters – you can see more about this in the video we created (below). And of course we’ll have an educational part  to explain how the project works and educated the public further about green design and energy and water saving.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/5FA-OMYiIHQ[/youtube]

HS: So as you can see, we are hitting about 15 birds with one stone. Most importantly, we are protecting our city from a big problem and transforming these two towers into a positive project that generates power, produces food and gives us back our park.

We believe that the cost of implementing these ideas is less than finishing the original planned project. And the new functions will generate significant income for the tower owners, returning first investment and creating new revenue streams from renewable energy generation and food production.

GP: Any parting words for us?

HS: Let’s turn these towers into a landmark that represents progress and sustainability. Their presence will raise awareness on issues of energy and water, and through them we can prove to the world that we can learn from our mistakes and turn them into big positives for our city and country. Help us make this vision a reality. Connect with us through our website or Facebook or Twitter using the #JordanGatePark.

Images from the project YouTube video

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In the world of Middle Eastern architecture and engineering, rest assured that there are several who are fighting for green choices. Clients often see lots of green – dollar bills, that is. But the builders can bring environmental considerations to the forefront. Sustainable building is the way of the future, and they know it. Here are a carefully curated list  of 3 Arab architects or engineers who champion sustainability in their work, and who need recognition.

1. Raya Ani 

Raya Ani was born in Washington, D.C. but spent most of her life in Iraq near her family. She operates out of the studio she founded in 2012: RAW-NYC, based both in New York City and Dubai. For the Aspire Sports Complex in Doha, Qatar, her company won Leisure Project of the Year at the 2014 Middle East Architect Awards.

The arena is still under construction, but it will include two soccer fields, a private entertainment venue, sports store, café, and more. It’s an enclosed space, but it evokes the feeling of being outside, with its light-filtering roofs, stretches of lush green, and landscaping techniques to promote fresh air.

The aesthetics of the facility were inspired by the makeup of a tree – its interwoven branches being the main motif. In the desert heat, evaporative cooling will chill the indoor air, and the Solar Ivy on the exterior will conserve energy.

More of Ani’s architectural genius can be found in plans for the Mesopotamian marshes of southern Iraq, which Green Prophet covered here, and for Bawadi Park in Dubai. To top it off, this savvy designer does more than just architecture. Visit her page to see all her fascinating projects.

2. Kourosh Hajizadeh

Named Architect of the Year at the Middle East Architect Awards in 2013, Mr. Hajizadeh proved his merit even further when he laid down plans for Jordan Tower. It’s his work featured at the very top of this article.

As Principal Architect of Hajizadeh & Associates, he places much emphasis on sustainability, and the goal for Jordan Tower was to create the tallest green spot in Tehran – a city lacking in green spaces. High-rise construction is maximized land usage in urban centers – capital cities, especially.

This sky-high beauty will display what appear to be hanging gardens in interlocking cages suspended from the exterior. This design is remarkably similar to “The Terraces” set up for Beirut, except it provisions more greenery. Furthermore, mirrors will be placed on the building close to street level in order to multiply the green vision to passersby.

3. Ammar Khammash

This Jordanian superstar architect has improved his home country – with more projects than one. The repertoire of Khammash Architects includes Wild Jordan, a restaurant and market; Darat al Funun, an arts and cultural center; and, most notably, Feynan Eco Lodge, the unbeatable retreat in the Dana Biosphere Reserve (which I visited while travelling in Jordan!).

With degrees in architecture and ethnoarchaeology, Mr. Khammash is Jordan’s leader in designing or renovating spaces so that they include uber modern amenities and style but are historically relevant.

Environmental preservation is very important to him, as well; he advocates preserving the nature in and around which he works. Wild Jordan is nestled in the hills of Jabal Amman. Darat al Funun displays a restored archaeological site in its garden with pride. Feynan Eco Lodge uses the blazing desert sun for energy and refuses to antagonize the already limited water availability with aerators installed on faucets.

Mr. Khammash clearly knows how to make the best use of what he is given, and even to make those elements from the land and sky the star of his projects. He’s even done the same thing with his own home. He opted to live on the edge – literally. By building his home on a cliff overlooking Amman, he made use of what would be otherwise unused space and gets breathtaking views as a reward.

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Having buried two loved ones in Israel myself, I know how wearisome field cemeteries are. Arriving on foot, I trudge along winding interior roads for long minutes, sweating and squinting against the glare in summer or huddling under a dripping umbrella in winter. No matter how often I’ve visited the graves, unfamiliar new roads built to accommodate fresh burial grounds disorientate me and I lose my way. According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, the current yearly death rate stands at 5.3 per 1000 people, so new roads and burial grounds must be expected.

Having located the section, I gingerly step between graves, careful not to disrespect any by walking on them. The grave behind me is decorated with a cactus garden, the family’s attempt to soften the harsh look of the place. Cemeteries in Israel don’t have the luxury of grassy spaces and flowering borders; there simply isn’t enough space, nor water to spare for maintaining tender greenery. Most mourners have nothing of comfort to rest their eyes on but a tombstone and the traditional pebble placed on the grave. People of means erect headstones of imported stone or marble.

How much more green sense does dense burial make: buildings of local stone where the deceased rest in niches. (See our previous two posts on this old/new eco-burial style here and here.) Stately trees provide shade. Mediterranean landscaping, with benches for visitors to rest on, offer a measure of comfort. Forward-thinking Israeli architects are now working with local burial societies to construct such modern necropolises, which will accommodate tens of thousands of graves.

Architect Yechiel Komet’s projected dense burial site is a series of terraces connected by circular ramps. To be constructed on Jerusalem’s sprawling Har HaMenuchot cemetery, it will house 30,000 graves. Komet’s experience in planning major hotels serves when planning the esthetics of the place, which he envisions as a sort of garden.

“There is a lot of power in cemeteries, and as an architect I am trying to make the ritual of burial easy to accomplish, as well as dignified; to think about the individual person who goes there to unite with the memory of a loved one, but also to think about the family accompanying their loved one on his final journey, ” Komet told Haaretz.

The new vertical burial site at the Yarkon Cemetery, planned by architects Eytan Ronel and Dorit Levy, will contain 12,5000 graves. Here also there is a pleasant, dignified atmosphere and privacy.

“High-density burial is a hybrid of landscape development and construction,” says Ronel in the same interview.

The Yarkon cemetery has another team working on high-density sites. The Ponger-Sagiv architectural team plans two sites there that will contain  23,000 graves.

“Here you come to the entrance and the grave is closer,” says Tuvia Sagiv. “You are in a building made up of many spaces and it is possible to spend time in it. I think the method of burying in niches is more dignified.” He adds,  “At first people didn’t believe they were getting these graves for free.”

Indeed, some of the public has displayed an initial opposition to this system of burial. But the burial societies, who are investing NIS 250 million at Har Hamenuhot and NIS 190 million at the Yarkon cemetery, are confident that eventually all sectors of Israeli society will see the advantages of these cemeteries. The plans are backed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and it’s expected that by 2040-2050, dense burial will be the way to go.

The post New Israeli Cemeteries Focus on Dense Burial…and Adding Charm appeared first on Green Prophet.

The buildings

In addition to constructing buildings using locally-sourced salty karshif soil formed into mud bricks and dried palm ceilings and wooden beams, Taziry, which means full moon in the local Amazighian dialect, relies on passive design and cross-ventilation instead of air-conditioning to keep buildings cool.

Lighting is comprised of no more than oil lamps and candles and there is no electricity (what a relief to unplug from the wired world), although in time the lodge hopes to install energy-generating solar panels that can also heat water for the small village.

The farm

Located 16km outside of downtown Siwa, the resort grows its own organic beef, poultry, fruit and vegetables, which are lovingly prepared in dishes served to guests, and they are developing a solid waste program in order to separate and treat organic and non-organic waste with a view towards recycling what they can.

But where does the golden age come in?

A golden revival

Not only have the Siwans, who are predominantly Berber, abandoned their natural construction methods in favor of so-called modern advancements, but globalization’s presence in this sleepy hamlet has disrupted their craft making and other arts.

To counteract this enormous loss, Taziry is establishing a center where astrology, calligraphy and poetry can enjoy a resurgence, along with a library containing indispensable knowledge.

Neither a regression nor a total progression, given the absence of some of the technology the “developed” world takes for granted, Taziry aims to preserve the region’s rich cultural heritage, enhance the standard of living, and create a heightened environmental awareness among a people who already live fairly close to the land.

:: Taziry Ecolodge

More Nature-Friendly Places to Visit in Egypt:

New El Mandara Eco-Haven Pops up in Fayoum, Egypt

Romantic Desert Lodge Offers Fresh Eggs and Sanity 

The One-Eyed Salt Carver From Siwa Who Still Loves his Craft

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With a population of nearly 4 million, the Aegaen city is a thriving metropolis and a holiday destination but people still make the effort to spend quality time together. To capitalize on this and promote some kind of outdoor engagement, Tabanlioglu Architects has designed the new Asmaçatı Shopping Center as a modern gazebo covered not in real green ivy, but a striking metal roof featuring leafy cutouts.

Almost the entire shopping complex is covered in this mesh, creating a semi-open complex infused with light and ventilation permitted by the cover. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not sold on massive shopping complexes, but if they must exist, then Asmaçatı Shopping Center is the best worst option.

The 22,763 square meter facility features 18 boutique stores and restaurants, all of which are organized around a large hypermarket, but the greatest emphasis has been placed on socializing. In addition to coffee shops and restaurants, the complex boasts a large open-air courtyard and several planters to ensure a comfortable microclimate even during humid summers.

Not only does the gazebo form reference traditional design and culture, but it also keeps shoppers cool and mitigates excess solar gain, thereby reducing the energy load that might otherwise be required to cool a building this size.

One of Turkey’s most prolific design firms, Tabanlioglu hopes that their arbor-centric design will encourage similar developments that place aesthetics and sustainability ahead of economic gain. They have made an effort to harmonize the natural and built environment within the urban texture, and to provide a space where people from all demographics will enjoy spending time.

:: Inhabitat

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