Desert Habitat: A Sustainable Dwelling in Jericho, Palestine

A Response to the Challenge of Fossil Fuel Consumption

The Desert Habitat, designed by Hani Hassan, draws inspiration from the Bedouin Tent, extensively used in the Middle East Desert region by local habitants. Its comfort effectiveness and versatility make it an excellent solution for the intense desert solar radiation. This unique design aims to create a sustainable dwelling that harmonizes with the environment while providing a comfortable living space.

The design was conducted in Jericho – Jordan Valley, on privately owned land, based on local climate data and recycled building materials. The use of recycled stone collected from quarries was incorporated into the walls, while a 40 mm 25% light transmission thermal polycarbonate was used for total shading, supported by a steel structure. The pool deck was made from low heat absorption material. The design also applied strategies such as total shading, recycled gray water management, photovoltaic panels, and thermal solar.

The Desert Habitat achieved positive results in terms of energy efficiency, with a 42% energy savings due to the passive cooling system and building thermal mass. The integration of plants and nature was also a key design factor, maintaining a harmonious interaction between the weather and the dwelling.

The total shading architecture plays a crucial role in the design, not only for small buildings but also for larger projects such as schools and hospitals. It creates shaded and protected outside spaces, protects the roof building from solar radiation, and takes advantage of solar radiation to produce power. The Desert Habitat is a testament to the potential of total shading architecture in desert environments.

The project started in June 2014 in Jericho, Jordan Valley, Palestine, and was completed in December 2014. Extensive research was conducted prior to the design phase, including the collection of weather data from the past 20 years to respond to the desert heat and take advantage of the microclimate in the area. The design team also explored local quarries in the Palestinian Territories, discovering unused stone that could be recycled to minimize the environmental damage caused by quarrying.

The design of a light top roof element posed a significant challenge, with large spans being a key architectural and financial consideration. However, the team was able to overcome this obstacle while maintaining cost-effectiveness as a primary goal.

The Desert Habitat received the Iron A' Design Award in 2014 in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Desert Habitat stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and contribution to a better world.