Project Name
Stone mattersLocation
Architecture Practice
AAU AnastasArea (sqm)
62Completed
2017More Info
In collaboration with GSA ENSA Paris-Malaquais
Detailed Information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project Name | Stone matters | Location |
Jericho
Palestinian Territory | Architecture Practice | AAU Anastas |
Area (sqm) | 62 | Completed | 2017 | More Info | In collaboration with GSA ENSA Paris-Malaquais |

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Paving of structure and foot detail. Photo by Mikaela Burstow.
More recently, AAU Anastas has moved one step closer to making El-Atlal’s unique project a reality, by completing “Stonematters”, a prototype of a freestanding massive stone dome made of 300 uniquely-cut Injassa stone pieces in which the stones support each other to keep the structure in place, giving a sense of lightness and movement to an otherwise extremely heavy structure; a project that was developed by “Scales”, AAU Anastas’ research studio, in collaboration with the Laboratory Geometry-Structure- Architecture (GSA), a research unit of the National Graduate School of Architecture Paris-Malaquais. To construct the 7-meter-wide structure, the team had to calculate the unique shape of each and every stone separately, before cutting a formwork out of polystyrene that would keep the stones in place while building the dome. The 300 stones were then cut using a computer-controlled stone cutter, and were placed on the polystyrene mould to construct the dome. A small feat of local architecture and construction, Stonematters functions above all as a research project that helps understand traditional building techniques and local materials, as well as the connection between Palestine’s historical cities and its present-day urban areas.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Arch facade © AAU Anastas.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

el-Atlal artists and writers residency in Jericho will be composed of 12 interconnected stone vaults © AAU Anastas.

Stone stereotomy, door lintel in Bethlehem Old city. Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Saint Anne Church stone vault, Jerusalem. Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Stone cutting using a five axis cutter. Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Axonometrical view © AAU Anastas.

Plan © AAU Anastas.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Theodolite measuring the displacement of structure from a fixed point during the removal of the scaffolding. Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.

Photo by Mikaela Burstow.