Architecture of (in)security

FINAL PROJECT - TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY Architecture throughout history has served as a protective tool that responded and adapted according to the threat, era, and location. Over time, the protective function became an independent entity, with defense structures etched into the landscape, just like in the pages of history, as scars of war. There is a strong link between the evolution of defensive typologies and the development of weaponry, which stems directly from insecurity. The events of October 7, 2023, have defeated the current defense systems in Israel, which are based on separation, isolation, and repulsion, and include the construction of massive concrete barriers, walls, checkpoints, and fences. In my project, I propose an alternative – shifting from designing defense systems destined to fail, to designing sustainable security systems. The project offers an integrative solution that bridges times of crisis and day-to-day life, that combines physical defense with strengthening community resilience, creating an environment that ensures a continuous sense of security, rather than temporary and fleeting protective measures. The project focuses on Kibbutz Neot Mordechai in the Hula Valley and is based on a deep understanding of local threats and community needs. Through the design and development of multi-purpose elements and structures, continuous functionality is enabled in public spaces even during emergencies, while maintaining quality of life, the quality of buildings, and the local landscape during times of normalcy.