Over recent sessions, Mandara brought together builders, architects, conservators and researchers from across the Arab world to talk about earthen architecture: its history, its techniques, and the buildings still standing. Those conversations are valuable but perishable. This initiative turns them into a lasting bilingual body of work.

The recorded sessions are our source material. From them we will produce short films for a wider audience, a written archive of technique sheets, essays and edited interviews for specialists, and a regional directory of people working with earth.

We are looking for volunteers in research and documentation, Arabic–English translation, videography and photography, video editing, graphic design, social media, directory curation and coordination. Roles carry named credit, certificates of contribution and reference letters.

Applications are now open

This practical workshop will focus on traditional earthen construction techniques, including soil testing, adobe block production and rammed earth .

Workshop topics include:
 - Identifying soil and its properties
 - Performing the Carazas test
 - Preparing adobe mixes
 - Introduction to rammed earth

 Dates: October 03–04, 2025
 Time:
•Friday, Oct 3 → 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Saturday, Oct 4 → 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 Location: Airport Road – near Exit Club
 Fees: 80 JOD per person
 Registration: Click here

Learn woodworking fundamentals and create your own chair — no prior experience needed!

Main sessions:
• Types of wood, tools, and preparing materials
• Cutting, smoothing, and shaping wood
• Assembly, painting, and finishing your chair

Dates: October 5–6–7, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: ERTH/AK Habitat space –Jabal Amman (opposite InterContinental Hotel, Building 67, 1st Floor)
Fees: 80 JOD (15% discount for groups of 2 or more)

Registration: Click here

A hands-on introduction to sustainable farming and gardening.

We’ll cover:
 Agricultural seasons
 Gardening in pots
 Seedling transplantation
 Organic compost – vermicomposting
 insects & pests
 Terrarium

Dates: October 12–13–14, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Jabal Amman – opposite InterContinental Hotel
Fees: 80 JOD (15% discount for groups of 2 or more)
Registration: Click here

Discover the art of wooden mosaic and create a small decorative piece using veneers.

Main sessions:
• Islamic patterns & design drawing
• Cutting and assembling veneers
• Polishing and finishing

 Dates: October 20–21–22, 2025
 Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
 Location: Jabal Amman – opposite InterContinental Hotel
 Fees: 80 JOD (15% discount for groups of 2 or more, includes tools & materials)
 Registration: Click here

Join us in our upcoming workshop to learn the basics of carpentry and begin your journey into hands-on skills and self-reliance.

Main Topics:

Together, we’ll explore the fundamentals of working with wood:

Session One:

Types of wood available in the market, their approximate prices, and uses

Introduction to essential hand and power tools, their specifications and prices

How to dismantle a wooden pallet and prepare the wood for use

Session Two:

Preparing the parts needed to build a chair

Using a planer

Using a sander

Using a handsaw

Session Three:

Completing the preparation of parts and assembling the chair

Introduction to types of finishes and coatings

Painting the chair

Location:
ERTH / AK Habitat Space – Jabal Amman – Opposite InterContinental Hotel – Building No. 67, First Floor

Registration Fee: 80 JOD

Dates: 17, 19, and 21 August 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

In this level, you will be introduced to the art of marquetry and wooden mosaic, where we will design a small decorative piece using wood veneers.

Dates:
24, 26, 28 August 2025

Time:
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Session One:
Introduction to the basics of Islamic geometric patterns and sketching the design to be executed

Session Two:
Introduction to the types of woods used, cutting the veneers, and gluing them

Session Three:
Sanding and finishing the final piece

Registration Fee: 80 JOD
(Includes all tools and materials)

Location: Jabal Amman – Opposite the InterContinental Hotel

In this level, we’ll design and build a small cabinet from A to Z – from selecting and purchasing the materials and tools, to cutting, assembling, industrial painting, and final finishing.

Dates:
04, 06, 07, 08, 09 September 2025

Time:
All sessions will be held after working hours (6:30 PM – 9:00 PM),
except the material purchasing session on Saturday, 06 Sept, which will be from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Session One:
Designing the cabinet, identifying required materials, measurements, and tools

Session Two:
Visiting wood and hardware shops and purchasing the agreed materials

Session Three:
Starting the preparation of the pieces, edge banding, and sanding

Session Four:
Completing the painting

Session Five:
Final assembly

Registration Fee: 100 JOD
Location: Jabal Amman – Opposite the InterContinental Hotel