QUICK FACTS
Date of Birth
1973
Bethlehem, Palestine
Place of Birth
Why Featured?
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.
BRIEF BIO
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.
LAST UPDATED
DATE
Monday, January 26, 2026
MAJOR MILESTONES
Key dates & turning points
Founding Campus in Camps (2012): An educational program in Dheisheh Refugee Camp aimed at transforming conventional education and fostering critical knowledge production.
Leading the Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Program at UNRWA (2008-2014): Her work here focused on improving conditions in Palestinian refugee camps.
Co-Authoring 'Architecture after Revolution' (2014): A significant publication that invites rethinking struggles for justice and equality.
Founding DAAR (2007): A collaboration with Alessandro Petti and Eyal Weizman, focusing on the intersection of architecture, art, and politics.
Various International Exhibitions: Participation in numerous prestigious exhibitions including the Venice Biennale and Istanbul Biennial.
CONTRIBUTIONS
What they did, and why it matters
Decolonizing Architecture: Her work in DAAR challenges traditional architectural practices and theories, focusing on the political and social aspects of architecture...See More
Innovative Educational Approaches: Through Campus in Camps, she has impacted the way architectural education is approached in refugee contexts...See More
Publications: Her writings, including 'Permanent Temporariness' and 'Architecture after Revolution,' contribute to global architectural discourse.
Architectural Projects in Refugee Camps: Her practical architectural interventions in refugee camps have tested the implications of her conceptual work.
Awards and Recognitions: Hilal has received numerous awards, including the Keith Haring Fellowship in Art and Activism, and the Price Claus Prize for Architecture
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Last updated
Jan 26, 2026
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