Reuse of Wounded Landscapes.   

The Doushan Quarry  

Tutors:  D. Prof. Arch. Baruch Baruch, D. Arch. Dana Margalit, Arch. Michal Bar-Oz. 

Year: 2018

The Dushan Gypsum Quarry is located in the Jordan Valley, near Yardenah and Beit Yosef, on the slopes of the Yizre'el Stream. We aim to propose an alternative approach to quarry rehabilitation, setting a precedent for the sustainable reuse of "wounded" landscapes after extraction. The quarrying process itself reflects a transition from a stable, biologically-geological material world to one where the raw, untamed nature of the earth takes precedence. This architectural intervention challenges us to rethink how a new, more holistic and responsible language can emerge from such a process.

The sculptural landscape of the quarry provides the foundation for a design language that contrasts the destructive force of extraction with a harmonious dialogue between the built environment and nature. Architecture inspired by the quarrying process will breathe new life into the "wounded" site, ensuring its regeneration.

As part of the project, we are cultivating muscadine vines, resilient to the region’s harsh climate, which will be used to produce wine in a winery concealed within the mountain. The design language draws from the mechanical and modern forms of quarrying, with all structures carved into the mountain in circular forms. This typology not only addresses the climatic challenges but also ensures that the architecture integrates seamlessly with its environment, fostering a sustainable future for the site.