Inhabiting Time: Perpetuating a Saline Ecosystem

Abstract

Time is one of the most mysterious metaphysical forces in the universe. Even though its interpretation is not universally agreed upon, it is an undeniable constituent of our daily lives. In the architectural discourse, time is an indispensable parameter. This thesis argues that the spatial character of a design comes in parallel with its temporal character. It explores different interpretations of Time and how they manifest spatially. It searches for opportunities to further elaborate the temporal dimension of architecture, incorporating time as a more conscious design parameter.

This is reflected in Lebanon’s culture of salt extraction, that intertwines several layers of temporal experiences at once. The survival of one of the earliest industries and an essential element in forming Anfeh’s identity is threatened by time, and only one site remains partially active. The project aims to reverse the effect of time on Anfeh’s fleeting salt extraction practice, landscape, and culture. It rejects memorializing a fading ecosystem and instead searches for ways to perpetuate the practice in a simple, adapted way. The research looks for alternative markets for salt beyond the raw material and effectively favors a centralized model on site as an alternative to the existing one. By adopting a “Farm to Table” strategy, the thesis proposes a network of salt industries that would simultaneously create an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable landscape.