Abstract:

Jericho’s water resources have profoundly shaped its history, culture, and way of life. Given water's crucial importance, both for sustenance and spiritual significance, this project investigates innovative methods of water collection within this context. Facing a severe water crisis stemming from geopolitical tensions and environmental changes, the imperative to reclaim and manage water resources has become a symbol of resilience and collective care.

My work aims to transform water collection devices into a medium for documenting Jericho’s 'water history,' ensuring a dual purpose: functional utility and critical documentation. These 'archives,' embedded directly into the city’s streets, rooftops, and courtyards, narrate Jericho’s story from the perspective of its people, rather than its rulers. Leveraging copper’s historical significance in water infrastructure and its unique archival properties, the installation—featuring elements like rain chains, air wells, and Falaj systems—becomes an architecture of coexistence. It not only provides inclusive spaces for the community to gather, share, and thrive but also bridges ancient wisdom with modern sustainability, fostering dialogue, belonging, and a dignified future by empowering the community to manage its vital water resources.