Nazarette-Marionette

The project proposes architecture as a tool that fantasizes and imagines a new reality for the existing situation in the city of Nazareth, and deals with mitigating the gap between Nazareth’s residents and the churches, while creating a new sense of equality between them. Through an innovative approach, the project allows the residents to experience the church as an open space rather than a closed, walled structure. This is achieved without interfering with the church grounds, but rather by proposing cloud-shaped elevated open spaces that will encircle the church in the same manner as the surrounding wall, but at a height. This “cloud” offers the residents an imagined opportunity to “escape” from the perpetual reality, urban density and disconnection from public space. Imagination plays a central role, enabling the residents to fantasize about situations in which they can see what the walls conceal from them.

The prominent presence of churches in Nazareth raises questions about the gaps between Christian values and the current reality. Christianity advocates giving, connection and love, yet the church structures do not reflect these values; they emphasize power and control. The modern aspects of church design might deter from the original meaning of the word “church,” which refers to a community rather than a physical structure.

Today, the churches create a sense of separation from the urban space, with many areas held by them remaining inaccessible to residents. The restrictions on the use of these spaces block the churches’ integration into the urban fabric. These spaces originated as grants from the Ottoman Empire to Christian sects and communities that had settled in Nazareth, given in exchange for their support after the empire became weak and powerless. The project proposes experiences that emphasize the church’s values as a group or community, and not only as a physical structure. By creating open, unrestricted spaces, the project encourages community and personal activities, thereby enhancing social life in the city. Through these spaces, which are lacking in the current reality, the project critiques and opposes the existing conditions in Nazareth.