Decolonizing Architecture Art Residency

DAAR's work combines spatial interventions, theoretical writings and collective learning. It is dedicated to architectural experimentations on the reuse and transformation of colonial architecture, settlements, military bases, and empty villages, primarily in Palestine.

DAAR was founded in 2007 in Beit Sahour by Alessandro Petti, Sandi Hilal and Eyal Weizman. The ideas that have been developed and disseminated throughout the region and abroad via exhibitions, seminars, videos and publications.[2][3][4] Dozens of local and international architects and a large number of Artists, film makers and activists work with DAAR[5][6]

In 2010, the Institute was honored with a Prince Claus Award.[7] The jury rewards its work

"for introducing a non-traditional approach to development in conflict and post-conflict situations, for providing valuable speculation on the future realities of disputed territories, for its critical challenge to outdated urban planning theories based on a more peaceful world, and for highlighting the role of architecture highlighting the role of architecture and visualisation in creating and altering the frontiers of reality."[4]

DAAR was nominated for the Curry Stone Design Price, the Anni and Heinrich Sussmann Artist Award, the New school's Vera List Center Prize for Art and Politics, and the Chrnikov Prize.[8]

DAAR projects have been published and exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Home Works in Beirut, the Istanbul Biennial, the Bozar in Brussels, NGBK in Berlin, Sharjah Biennale,[9] the Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, Architekturforum Tirol in Innsbruck, the Tate in London,[10] the Oslo Triennial, the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

DAAR's members have taught lectured and published internationally including a term as guest professors at the Berlage Institute,[11] Bir Zeit University, Bard-Al Quds, and Goldsmiths.

Alessandro Petti is currently Professor in Architecture and Social justice at the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm.[12]

In 2013, DAAR published 'Architecture after Revolution' with the Berlin-based publisher Strenberg Press.[13]

According to Strenberg, the authors present a series of provocative projects that try to imagine "the morning after revolution."[2]