Post-War Earth: Rural Resilience and Material Practices in Ghuta
Post-War Earth: Rural Resilience and Material Practices in Ghuta

Experimental Concrete Rubble Foundation

Experimental Concrete Rubble Foundation

Projects

Al-Mleha, Ghuta, Syria

2020

As part of the Hakura Project in Ghouta, Syria, this construction experiment explored the reuse of demolition rubble as an alternative material for building foundations in a resource-constrained, post-conflict environment. Concrete rubble was collected from nearby sites where owners wanted to dispose of the debris. The recovered material was sorted into three sizes: large, medium, and small fragments, to facilitate its placement within the foundation trench. Following excavation, larger concrete pieces were positioned manually, while medium and smaller fragments were used to fill the spaces between them. The upper layer incorporated reused reinforcing steel bars (rebar) and flat concrete slabs. The experiment investigated how discarded construction materials could be repurposed through simple techniques and manual labor, reducing the need for newly manufactured materials while addressing the accumulation of demolition waste. Part of Hakura's broader exploration of resource-conscious construction, the experiment examined the practical possibilities of reusing locally available rubble in building foundations.

People & Contributions

Construction Contractor & Execution: Abu Abdo Al Helwani and his team

More Images

Damaged earthen buildings bordering an overgrown plot — Post-War Earth, rural Damascus, Syria
Weathered rural building with exposed structural openings — Post-War Earth, rural Damascus, Syria
Collapsed walls and rubble within a rural building — Post-War Earth, rural Damascus, Syria



General Inquiries
info@metmar.studio




General Inquiries
info@metmar.studio