Oush Grab (The Crow’s Nest) & The Millennium Hut

Oush Grab (The Crow’s Nest): Decolonizing Architecture Art Residency
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When & Where:  The Movement started, 2008 in Beit Sahour, Palestine
Who: By Architects Sandi Hilal, Alessandro Petti, and Eyal Weizam

What:  After The Israeli army evacuated Oush Grab, from colonial regimes that had governed Palestine for centuries. Israeli settlers took control of the abandoned buildings. DAAR along with other Palestinian and international activists reclaimed Oush Grab as public space and initiated plans to convert it into a multi use park. They hosted bingo games, film screenings, prayer sessions, and tours of the land with help of NGOs and local Municipality. When Israeli settlers retaliated by putting graffiti on the structures the DAAR organized community cleanups. Also after they discovered that same hilltop was a rooting round for thousands of migrating birds DAAR punctured holds in order to turn it into both and observatory and a nesting place. 

Why: To bring together the local community as well as take back there land that was occupied and used to control them for years, and create something that is good for there community. They are rising from the ashes if you will.

The Millennium Hut
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When & Where: 1995 in Glasgow Scotland the Govanhill district 

Who: Artist Claire Barclay In collaboration with the firm Studio KAP Architects.
                                                                                                                          
What: Five Public arias of Glasgow, including Govanhill were picked for renewal by the Millennium Space Project with a foot print of just two meters by two meters. The Millennium Hut is a three story wooden structure. Inside there is a community garden store, workshop, Library, shelves for growing plants and a viewing platform. The building was made out of recycled materials, and used solar panels.
Why: The millennium hut acted as an entry point to the Glovlanhill community, and served as a means of creating community in an ethnically diverse district. As well as promote sustainable living practices and showed an effort to harness natural recourses.

Similarities
Both involve construction of a building that is for  public use
Both projects are trying to bring communities together
They are all about renewing old and run down areas and structures

Differences
Crows Nest was driven by history and oppression as Millennium Hut was driven by an effort to change socially and become a eco friendly community
Crows Nets is a big area with many buildings as Millennium Hut is a relatively small building that is completely green.
Crows nest was born from activism and protests, while Millennum Hut was a Commisioned project

NEXT WEEK'S READING: "Assemblage, Environments & Happenings"

The Assigned Reading for next week (Apr. 17) is Allan Kaprow's "Assemblages, Environments & Happenings"

Plus, the assigned topic research homework is due; print-out, answer and bring with you next week.