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Portrait of Sandi Hilal

Sandi Hilal

Influential in decolonizing architecture & urban planning.

Born
1973
Born in
Beit Sahour, Palestine
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Why Sandi is here

Hilal's work in architecture and urban planning goes beyond traditional boundaries, intertwining with activism, education, and art. Her approach to decolonizing architecture and her efforts to improve the lives of Palestinian refugees through innovative architectural and educational programs have made her a key figure in her field.

Their story

As an architect, educator, and researcher, Hilal has significantly contributed to the field of architecture with a focus on justice and equality. She is known for her role in founding the Decolonizing Architecture Art Residency (DAAR) and Campus in Camps, an experimental educational program in Dheisheh Refugee Camp.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Sandi’s path.

  1. 2012

    Founding Campus in Camps

    An educational program in Dheisheh Refugee Camp aimed at transforming conventional education and fostering critical knowledge production.

  2. 2008-2014

    Leading the Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Program at UNRWA

    Her work here focused on improving conditions in Palestinian refugee camps.

  3. 2014

    Co-Authoring 'Architecture after Revolution'

    A significant publication that invites rethinking struggles for justice and equality.

  4. 2007

    Founding DAAR

    A collaboration with Alessandro Petti and Eyal Weizman, focusing on the intersection of architecture, art, and politics.

  5. Various International Exhibitions

    Participation in numerous prestigious exhibitions including the Venice Biennale and Istanbul Biennial.

  6. 2023

    DAAR, with Alessandro Petti, received the Venice Architecture Biennale’s Golden Lion for best participant.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Decolonizing Architecture

    Her work in DAAR challenges traditional architectural practices and theories, focusing on the political and social aspects of architecture.

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  2. Innovative Educational Approaches

    Through Campus in Camps, she has impacted the way architectural education is approached in refugee contexts.

  3. Publications

    Her writings, including 'Permanent Temporariness' and 'Architecture after Revolution,' contribute to global architectural discourse.

  4. Architectural Projects in Refugee Camps

    Her practical architectural interventions in refugee camps have tested the implications of her conceptual work.

  5. Awards and Recognitions

    With Alessandro Petti as DAAR, received the Golden Lion for best participant at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale.

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Sandi in interviews, talks and coverage.

  • 01Decolonizing Architecture↗

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