Born into a family of architects, Elias (b. 1984) and Yousef (b. 1988) Anastas hold an MA in architecture from Paris Val de Seine Paris, where they both worked upon graduation. Elias returned to Bethlehem after winning a competition for a music conservatory, while Yousef continued his studies, completing an MS in structural engineering from Les Ponts et Chaussées. Together, they founded Local Industries in 2012, a community of artisans and designers dedicated to industrial furniture-making. In 2016, they went on to found SCALES, a research department that is constantly enhanced by linking scales that are usually opposed. Their studio’s work brings together architecture practices, furniture making, research projects and cultural initiatives. Recent projects include All Purpose, an installation for the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale; Radio AlHara, a community-based online radio; the Hebron Courthouse Project; and Stonematters, an experimental research project into the possibilities of stone-use in contemporary architecture. They are about to launch the Wonder Cabinet in Bethlehem, a cultural initiative that aims to provide a production platform, bringing together artisans and artists.