Digging into the ground for foundations and pipes, planting trees, staking electrical masts, removing and piling earth and stacking materials is evident in many settlements. This ongoing construction works is to connect to the place and to ‘grow roots into the ground’ resisting against the strong natural forces (wind, rain, sun). Also, the connection basic services such as water, electricity and sewage are essential to ensure survival at this place. This stands in contrast to the mobile and portable houses’ character of being site independent and transportable. Ensuring survival seems to be important also due to the various security measures (look-out tower, electric masts, security personal and watchdogs).

On the other hand, the mobile houses awake an impression of resistance, idealism and hope to initiate a little community withstanding the hard and uncomfortable conditions. As a reflection of resistance, courage and belief, this initiation phase can be associated with a will to not subordinate but to change existing conditions. The first phase is about founding a new settlement and laying out its very first form, infrastructure and communal life reflecting progress and dynamics. Optimistic attempts and experiments with low budget, leftover or found material is here articulated in form of ‘open space designs’ (gardens, terraces, canopies). In Kefar Adummim these processes go so far that permanent houses are being built.

There are attempts to soften the contrasting forces of nature and prefab buildings by placing mobile houses according to the topography, having various heights of caravan rows. Increasing vegetation is another measure. While in Hill 468 and Mitzpe Danny the housing units remain in raw contrast, the caravans in Kefar Adummim almost disappear under the strong vegetation. The mountain top has been transformed to inhabit the ‘new comers’. Yet, the natural forces at place are still too strong for the caravans to not be effected.