This project, now under construction, is located in the northern highlands of Jordan, in the region of Ajlun. The site will function as an academy to train rangers of protected areas; it will also have a wide academic/training program related to landscape management in areas of natural or cultural heritage. To assist the academic component, one side of the building will function as a popular restaurant that will generate funds for the academic program and help in financing the management of the nearby protected area.
The site is basically an abandoned stone quarry. The dramatic limestone cliff created by the quarrying activities, and left untouched after abandonment, became the profile of the front elevation which followed the random cliff line as accurately as possible. The building is all about celebrating the cut in the rock, the “wound” that was done to the land, without any attempt to do the usual reclamation, or to bandage the damaged nature.
The building will demonstrate green issues to users and visitors. It will have good insulation using straw filling within thick walls, it will use geothermal energy technology, and will benefit from good orientation and passive cooling provided by the shape and details of the structure itself.