AAI Lecture : AAU Anastas

AAU Anastas is a wholly Palestinian architectural and engineering firm with offices in Bethlehem and Paris engaged in counter hegemonic practice. Founded in 1979, their work combines architecture, furniture making, research and cultural initiatives.

The studio focuses on tying links between crafts and architecture at scales that vary from furniture design to territorial explorations. The studio has been advocating for a contemporary use of structural stone in architecture in Palestine and elsewhere, and has been particularly interested in the politics of stone use for low carbon footprint structures, more resilient cities and more responsible quarries’ exploitation.
Linking hyper contextual conditions that are different a priori to create a new strengthened global critical discourse has been at the intersection of all of their practices.

Qamt, acquired by the V&A, + All Purpose, at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale, came out of research projects SCALES (2016), that links scales that are usually opposed, and STONE MATTERS (2017), a reaction to a 1918 British mandate, and an experimental exploration of decolonising architecture at the scale of the construction detail. It examines the potential of structural stone within contemporary architecture + combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques. It challenges the instrumentalisation of architecture for political ends + its complicity in sustaining settler colonialism, made legible by the systemic misuse of stone cladding in Palestine.

In 2020, they co-founded Radio Al Hara, a multifaceted community based online radio that weaves unconventional nets of solidarities through sonic experiences. On the basis that, ‘the asymmetric relationship between those who give orders & those who must obey is always demonstrated by who controls access to the soundscape’, Radio Alhara started The Sonic Liberation Front, an initiative by a group of sound platforms/artists who came together to unify their sound + protest against the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.

In 2012 they established Local Industries, a community of industrial furniture makers. It reasserts the value of local Palestinian labour without freezing it in an obsolete role or imposing alien standards to its methods. Most recently they have launched the Wonder Cabinet, a space based initiative in Bethlehem for cultural productions that gathers a community of artisans and artists from technical and artistic realms with the aim of producing a culture of global provincialism.

Members that are entitled to complimentary tickets as part of their membership benefits can access these using the email address used to register the membership, as per the following instructions.

Go to the Eventbrite page (Link above)
Click on Tickets
Click on Enter Promo Code
Enter the membership email address
This should allow you to book a ticket free of charge

If you have any queries regarding your membership status or benefits please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

AAI Patrons
O’Mahony Pike Architects

AAI Sponsors
Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Henry J Lyons Architecture
van Dijk Architects

AAI Supporters
Ryan Kennihan Architects
O’Connell Mahon Architects
Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects
Donaghy + Dimond Architects
Lafferty Architects & Project Managers
Urban Agency
Architectural Farm
ION.ie Vectorworks BIM
McCullough Mulvin Architects
DMVF Architects
Grafton Architects
O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects
Eco Window Concepts
Aughey O’Flaherty Architects
GKMP Architects

The Architectural Association of Ireland is a non-profit voluntary organisation, founded in 1896, with the aim of promoting greater discussion, dissemination and engagement in architecture and the built environment.