Studio nab has unveiled an ambitious reconstruction plan called "The Granaries of Gaza," proposing a comprehensive two-phase strategy to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip using recycled war debris and sustainable design principles. The innovative project aims to transform over 50 million tons of rubble from the conflict into modular building materials while addressing the severe humanitarian crisis facing the region's population.
The proposal emerges in response to catastrophic conditions throughout Gaza, where the entire population currently faces acute food insecurity. The healthcare system has been decimated with more than 1,400 medical workers killed and over 30 hospitals either destroyed or rendered non-operational. Water and sanitation infrastructure has collapsed, significantly increasing disease risks, while nearly constant electricity outages continue to hamper critical equipment operations.
Studio nab's approach reframes traditional reconstruction efforts by treating the massive amount of debris not as waste to be removed, but as valuable building material for future development. The project is grounded in two fundamental principles: ensuring Gazans' right to dignified housing and autonomy, and maximizing the unprecedented volume of rubble available for reconstruction purposes.
The first phase focuses on immediate humanitarian relief through onshore platforms constructed from recycled materials. War debris is processed into modular concrete blocks, lightened with straw, to build bioclimatic shelters that provide displaced families with protection, privacy, and basic services. These transitional structures incorporate natural ventilation, strategic shading, and optimal orientation principles while accommodating craftspeople and volunteers participating in reconstruction efforts. The shelters are designed to integrate self-sufficiency systems for water, energy, and sanitation needs.
Phase two expands the concept through modular offshore platforms that extend the city with comprehensive infrastructure including housing, agricultural facilities, markets, schools, hospitals, and renewable energy systems. Each platform functions as a self-sufficient ecosystem, with two-thirds positioned offshore and one-third onshore, capable of independent food, water, and energy production. The concrete modules from the first phase are repurposed into seawalls or integrated into urban structures, ensuring no materials go to waste.
The project integrates regenerative agriculture through multiple farming methods including aquaponics, hydroponics, poultry and goat farming, alongside cultivation of traditional crops such as zaatar and olives. Shared granaries featuring natural thermal regulation ensure year-round food storage and distribution, reducing dependency on vulnerable supply chains that have proven unreliable during the crisis.
Construction methodology draws heavily on traditional Palestinian building techniques, including rammed earth construction and design references to historical silos, communal ovens, and clay beehives. This approach preserves local cultural knowledge while strengthening both material and cultural autonomy for Gaza's communities. Studio nab's design philosophy emphasizes maintaining cultural continuity alongside practical reconstruction needs.
The floating platforms incorporate comprehensive energy generation systems utilizing solar, wind, wave, and biogas technologies. Dual water systems combine seawater desalination with natural wastewater treatment to supply both agricultural operations and household needs, supporting long-term community resilience and sustainability.
"The Granaries of Gaza" represents a paradigm shift in post-conflict reconstruction, positioning the effort as a collective act of care that combines architectural innovation, agricultural sustainability, and cultural preservation. By transforming destruction into resources and linking emergency humanitarian response with sustainable long-term development, the project seeks to restore both autonomy and resilience to Gaza's population while creating a model for future reconstruction efforts in conflict-affected regions.
