diff --git a/.hgsubstate b/.hgsubstate
index 4669d200b..dcdfe419b 100644
--- a/.hgsubstate
+++ b/.hgsubstate
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ec573e5476f7e8a5a61593d6393e9985e9484fcc src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Forms
-d3ffae8d849f6b10eb1c4421f7b18e1d05edc85e src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Projections
+4e99d7e20caab07ddbdcf9c780525613bcf8a15b src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Projections
 01b83c05050bb731d9f69256bbe8884d458ea1c9 src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Rules
 65057c6a5cd71f7994ba9bcbeece50dbb737620e src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.TaskLease
 c2e3c396c1fc6c60b131bfc9f83564c6f8d18e58 src/Orchard.Web/Modules/Orchard.Tokens
diff --git a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DynamicContentQueryTests.cs b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DynamicContentQueryTests.cs
index 51f90a5be..bdf21147a 100644
--- a/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DynamicContentQueryTests.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard.Tests/ContentManagement/DynamicContentQueryTests.cs
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
         public void SpecificTypeIsReturnedWhenSpecified() {
             AddSampleData();
 
-            var alphaBeta = _manager.Query().Where(x => x.WithRecord("ContentType").In("Name", new [] {"alpha", "beta"})).List();
+            var alphaBeta = _manager.HqlQuery().ForType("alpha", "beta").List();
 
             Assert.That(alphaBeta.Count(), Is.EqualTo(2));
             Assert.That(alphaBeta.Count(x => x.Has<AlphaPart>()), Is.EqualTo(1));
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             Assert.That(alphaBeta.Count(x => x.Has<GammaPart>()), Is.EqualTo(0));
             Assert.That(alphaBeta.Count(x => x.Has<DeltaPart>()), Is.EqualTo(0));
 
-            var gammaDelta = _manager.Query().Where(x => x.WithRecord("ContentType").In("Name", new[] { "gamma", "delta" })).List();
+            var gammaDelta = _manager.HqlQuery().ForType("gamma", "delta").List();
 
             Assert.That(gammaDelta.Count(), Is.EqualTo(2));
             Assert.That(gammaDelta.Count(x => x.Has<AlphaPart>()), Is.EqualTo(0));
@@ -119,8 +119,11 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             _manager.Create<GammaPart>("gamma", init => { init.Record.Frap = "four"; });
             _session.Flush();
 
-            var twoOrFour = _manager.Query<GammaPart, GammaRecord>()
-                .Where(x => x.WithRecord("GammaRecord").Or(a => a.Eq("Frap", "one"), b => b.Eq("Frap", "four")))
+            var twoOrFour = _manager
+                .HqlQuery()
+                .Where(
+                    alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<GammaRecord>(), 
+                    x => x.Or(a => a.Eq("Frap", "one"), b => b.Eq("Frap", "four")))
                 .List();
 
             Assert.That(twoOrFour.Count(), Is.EqualTo(2));
@@ -133,8 +136,8 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
         [Test]
         public void EmptyWherePredicateRequiresRecord() {
             AddSampleData();
-            var gammas = _manager.Query().Where(x => x.WithRecord("GammaRecord")).List(); // simulates an inner join
-            var deltas = _manager.Query().Where(x => x.WithRecord("DeltaRecord")).List();
+            var gammas = _manager.HqlQuery().Join(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<GammaRecord>()).List();
+            var deltas = _manager.HqlQuery().Join(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<DeltaRecord>()).List();
 
             Assert.That(gammas.Count(), Is.EqualTo(1));
             Assert.That(deltas.Count(), Is.EqualTo(1));
@@ -152,9 +155,10 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             _session.Flush();
             _session.Clear();
 
-            var ascending = _manager.Query("gamma")
-                .OrderBy(x => x.WithRecord("GammaRecord").Asc("Frap"))
-                .List<GammaPart>().ToList();
+            var ascending = _manager.HqlQuery<GammaPart>()
+                .ForType("gamma")
+                .OrderBy(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<GammaRecord>(), x => x.Asc("Frap"))
+                .List().ToList();
 
             Assert.That(ascending.Count(), Is.EqualTo(5));
             Assert.That(ascending.First().Record.Frap, Is.EqualTo("four"));
@@ -162,8 +166,9 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
 
             _session.Clear();
 
-            var descending = _manager.Query<GammaPart, GammaRecord>()
-                .OrderBy(x => x.WithRecord("GammaRecord").Desc("Frap"))
+            var descending = _manager.HqlQuery<GammaPart>()
+                .ForType("gamma")
+                .OrderBy(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<GammaRecord>(), x => x.Desc("Frap"))
                 .List().ToList();
 
             Assert.That(descending.Count(), Is.EqualTo(5));
@@ -180,12 +185,12 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             _manager.Create<GammaPart>("gamma", init => { init.Record.Frap = "four"; });
             _session.Flush();
 
-            var reverseById = _manager.Query()
-                .OrderBy(x => x.WithRecord("GammaRecord").Desc("Id"))
+            var reverseById = _manager.HqlQuery()
+                .OrderBy(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<GammaRecord>(), x => x.Desc("Id"))
                 .List();
 
-            var subset = _manager.Query()
-                .OrderBy(x => x.WithRecord("GammaRecord").Desc("Id"))
+            var subset = _manager.HqlQuery()
+                .OrderBy(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<GammaRecord>(), x => x.Desc("Id"))
                 .Slice(2, 3);
 
             Assert.That(subset.Count(), Is.EqualTo(3));
@@ -217,10 +222,11 @@ namespace Orchard.Tests.ContentManagement {
             _session.Flush();
             _session.Clear();
 
-            var results = _manager.Query("gamma")
-                .Where(x => x.WithVersionRecord("EpsilonRecord").Or(a => a.Eq("Quad", "2"), b => b.Eq("Quad", "3")))
-                .OrderBy(x => x.WithVersionRecord("EpsilonRecord").Desc("Quad"))
-                .List<EpsilonPart>();
+            var results = _manager.HqlQuery<EpsilonPart>()
+                .Where(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<EpsilonRecord>(), x => x.Or(a => a.Eq("Quad", "2"), b => b.Eq("Quad", "3")))
+                .OrderBy(alias => alias.ContentPartRecord<EpsilonRecord>(), x => x.Desc("Quad"))
+                .ForType("gamma")
+                .List();
 
             Assert.That(results.Count(), Is.EqualTo(2));
             Assert.That(results.First().Record, Has.Property("Quad").EqualTo("3"));
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentExtensions.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentExtensions.cs
index a2b86aac6..5d8532a43 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentExtensions.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/ContentExtensions.cs
@@ -74,12 +74,18 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
             where TPart : ContentPart {
             return manager.Query().ForPart<TPart>();
         }
+
         public static IContentQuery<TPart, TRecord> Query<TPart, TRecord>(this IContentManager manager)
             where TPart : ContentPart<TRecord>
             where TRecord : ContentPartRecord {
             return manager.Query().ForPart<TPart>().Join<TRecord>();
         }
 
+        public static IHqlQuery<TPart> HqlQuery<TPart>(this IContentManager manager)
+            where TPart : ContentPart {
+            return manager.HqlQuery().ForPart<TPart>();
+        }
+
         /* Query(VersionOptions options) */
 
         public static IContentQuery<ContentItem> Query(this IContentManager manager, VersionOptions options) {
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs
index 7966bc299..d95441c8e 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultContentManager.cs
@@ -487,6 +487,10 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
             return query.ForPart<ContentItem>();
         }
 
+        public IHqlQuery HqlQuery() {
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery(this, _sessionLocator.Value.For(typeof(ContentItemVersionRecord)));
+        }
+
         // Insert or Update imported data into the content manager.
         // Call content item handlers.
         public void Import(XElement element, ImportContentSession importContentSession) {
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultHqlQuery.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultHqlQuery.cs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6a8e5e849
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/DefaultHqlQuery.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,390 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+using NHibernate;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.Records;
+using Orchard.Utility.Extensions;
+
+namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
+
+    public class DefaultHqlQuery : IHqlQuery {
+        private readonly ISession _session;
+        private VersionOptions _versionOptions;
+
+        protected IJoin _from;
+        protected readonly List<Tuple<IAlias, Join>> _joins = new List<Tuple<IAlias, Join>>();
+        protected readonly List<Tuple<IAlias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>>> _wheres = new List<Tuple<IAlias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>>>();
+        protected readonly List<Tuple<IAlias, Action<IHqlSortFactory>>> _sortings = new List<Tuple<IAlias, Action<IHqlSortFactory>>>();
+
+        public IContentManager ContentManager { get; private set; }
+
+        public DefaultHqlQuery(IContentManager contentManager, ISession session) {
+            _session = session;
+            ContentManager = contentManager;
+        }
+
+        internal string PathToAlias(string path) {
+            if (String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(path)) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Path can't be empty");
+            }
+
+            return Char.ToLower(path[0], CultureInfo.InvariantCulture) + path.Substring(1);
+        }
+
+        internal Join BindNamedAlias(string alias) {
+            var tuple = _joins.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Item2.Name == alias);
+            return tuple == null ? null : tuple.Item2;
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindCriteriaByPath(IAlias alias, string path) {
+            return BindCriteriaByAlias(alias, path, PathToAlias(path));
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindCriteriaByAlias(IAlias alias, string path, string aliasName) {
+            // is this Join already existing (based on aliasName)
+
+            Join join = BindNamedAlias(aliasName);
+
+            if (join == null) {
+                join = new Join(path, aliasName);
+                _joins.Add(new Tuple<IAlias, Join>(alias, join));
+            }
+
+            return join;
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindTypeCriteria() {
+            // ([ContentItemVersionRecord] >join> [ContentItemRecord]) >join> [ContentType]
+            return BindCriteriaByAlias(BindItemCriteria(), "ContentType", "ct");
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindItemCriteria() {
+            // [ContentItemVersionRecord] >join> [ContentItemRecord]
+            return BindCriteriaByAlias(BindItemVersionCriteria(), typeof(ContentItemRecord).Name, "ci");
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindItemVersionCriteria() {
+            return _from ?? (_from = new Join(typeof(ContentItemVersionRecord).FullName, "civ", ""));
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindPartCriteria<TRecord>() where TRecord : ContentPartRecord {
+            return BindPartCriteria(typeof(TRecord));
+        }
+
+        internal IAlias BindPartCriteria(Type contentPartRecordType) {
+            if (!contentPartRecordType.IsSubclassOf(typeof(ContentPartRecord))) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("The type must inherit from ContentPartRecord", "contentPartRecordType");
+            }
+
+            if (contentPartRecordType.IsSubclassOf(typeof(ContentPartVersionRecord))) {
+                return BindCriteriaByPath(BindItemVersionCriteria(), contentPartRecordType.Name);
+            }
+            return BindCriteriaByPath(BindItemCriteria(), contentPartRecordType.Name);
+        }
+
+        internal void Where(IAlias alias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> predicate) {
+            _wheres.Add(new Tuple<IAlias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>>(alias, predicate));
+        }
+        
+        internal IAlias ApplyHqlVersionOptionsRestrictions(VersionOptions versionOptions) {
+            var alias = BindItemVersionCriteria();
+
+            if (versionOptions == null) {
+                Where(alias, x => x.Eq("Published", true));
+            }
+            else if (versionOptions.IsPublished) {
+                Where(alias, x => x.Eq("Published", true));
+            }
+            else if (versionOptions.IsLatest) {
+                Where(alias, x => x.Eq("Latest", true));
+            }
+            else if (versionOptions.IsDraft) {
+                Where(alias, x => x.And(y => y.Eq("Latest", true), y => y.Eq("Published", false)));
+            }
+            else if (versionOptions.IsAllVersions) {
+                // no-op... all versions will be returned by default
+            }
+            else {
+                throw new ApplicationException("Invalid VersionOptions for content query");
+            }
+
+            return alias;
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery Join(Action<IAliasFactory> alias) {
+            var aliasFactory = new DefaultAliasFactory(this);
+            alias(aliasFactory);
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery Where(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> predicate) {
+            var aliasFactory = new DefaultAliasFactory(this);
+            alias(aliasFactory);
+            Where(aliasFactory.Current, predicate);
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery OrderBy(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlSortFactory> order) {
+            var aliasFactory = new DefaultAliasFactory(this);
+            alias(aliasFactory);
+
+            _sortings.Add(new Tuple<IAlias, Action<IHqlSortFactory>>(aliasFactory.Current, order));
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery ForType(params string[] contentTypeNames) {
+            if (contentTypeNames != null && contentTypeNames.Length != 0) {
+                Where(BindTypeCriteria(), x => x.InG("Name", contentTypeNames));
+            }
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery ForVersion(VersionOptions options) {
+            _versionOptions = options;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery<T> ForPart<T>() where T : IContent {
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery<T>(this);
+        }
+
+        public IEnumerable<ContentItem> List() {
+            return Slice(0, 0);
+        }
+
+        public IEnumerable<ContentItem> Slice(int skip, int count) {
+            ApplyHqlVersionOptionsRestrictions(_versionOptions);
+            var hql = ToHql(false);
+            var query = _session.CreateQuery(hql);
+
+            if (skip != 0) {
+                query.SetFirstResult(skip);
+            }
+            if (count != 0) {
+                query.SetMaxResults(count);
+            }
+
+            return query.List<ContentItemVersionRecord>()
+                .Select(x => ContentManager.Get(x.Id, VersionOptions.VersionRecord(x.Id)))
+                .ToReadOnlyCollection();
+        }
+
+        public int Count() {
+            ApplyHqlVersionOptionsRestrictions(_versionOptions);
+            return _session.CreateQuery(ToHql(true)).UniqueResult<int>();
+        }
+
+        public string ToHql(bool count) {
+            var sb = new StringBuilder();
+
+            if (count) {
+                sb.Append("select count(civ) ").AppendLine();
+            }
+            else {
+                sb.Append("select civ ").AppendLine();
+            }
+
+            sb.Append("from ").Append(_from.TableName).Append(" as ").Append(_from.Name).AppendLine();
+
+            foreach (var join in _joins) {
+                sb.Append(join.Item2.Type).Append(" ").Append(join.Item1.Name + "." + join.Item2.TableName).Append(" as ").Append(join.Item2.Name).AppendLine();
+            }
+
+            #region Where
+
+            bool first = true;
+            foreach (var where in _wheres) {
+                if (!first) {
+                    sb.Append("and ");
+                }
+                else {
+                    sb.Append("where ");
+                    first = false;
+                }
+
+                var expressionFactory = new DefaultHqlExpressionFactory();
+                where.Item2(expressionFactory);
+                sb.Append(expressionFactory.Criterion.ToHql(where.Item1)).AppendLine();
+            }
+
+            #endregion
+
+            #region Order by
+
+            bool firstSort = true;
+            foreach (var sort in _sortings) {
+                if (!firstSort) {
+                    sb.Append(", ");
+                }
+                else {
+                    sb.Append("order by ");
+                    firstSort = false;
+                }
+
+                var sortFactory = new DefaultHqlSortFactory();
+                sort.Item2(sortFactory);
+
+                sb.Append(sort.Item1.Name).Append(".").Append(sortFactory.PropertyName);
+                if (!sortFactory.Ascending) {
+                    sb.Append(" desc");
+                }
+            }
+
+            #endregion
+
+            return sb.ToString();
+        }
+
+    }
+
+    public class DefaultHqlQuery<TPart> : IHqlQuery<TPart> where TPart : IContent {
+        private readonly DefaultHqlQuery _query;
+
+        public DefaultHqlQuery(DefaultHqlQuery query) {
+            _query = query;
+        }
+
+        public IContentManager ContentManager {
+            get { return _query.ContentManager; }
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery<TPart> ForType(params string[] contentTypes) {
+            _query.ForType(contentTypes);
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery<TPart>(_query);
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery<TPart> ForVersion(VersionOptions options) {
+            _query.ForVersion(options);
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery<TPart>(_query);
+        }
+
+        IEnumerable<TPart> IHqlQuery<TPart>.List() {
+            return _query.List().AsPart<TPart>();
+        }
+
+        IEnumerable<TPart> IHqlQuery<TPart>.Slice(int skip, int count) {
+            return _query.Slice(skip, count).AsPart<TPart>();
+        }
+
+        int IHqlQuery<TPart>.Count() {
+            return _query.Count();
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery<TPart> Join(Action<IAliasFactory> alias) {
+            _query.Join(alias);
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery<TPart>(_query);
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery<TPart> Where(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> predicate) {
+            _query.Where(alias, predicate);
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery<TPart>(_query);
+        }
+
+        public IHqlQuery<TPart> OrderBy(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlSortFactory> order) {
+            _query.OrderBy(alias, order);
+            return new DefaultHqlQuery<TPart>(_query);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public class Alias : IAlias {
+        public Alias(string name) {
+            if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(name)) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Alias can't be empty");
+            }
+            
+            Name = name;
+        }
+
+        public DefaultHqlQuery<IContent> Query { get; set; }
+        public string Name { get; set; }
+    }
+
+    public interface IJoin : IAlias {
+        string TableName { get; set; }
+        string Type { get; set; }
+    }
+
+    public class Sort {
+
+        public Sort(IAlias alias, string  propertyName, bool ascending) {
+            Alias = alias;
+            PropertyName = propertyName;
+            Ascending = ascending;
+        }
+
+        public IAlias Alias { get; set; }
+        public string PropertyName { get; set; }
+        public bool Ascending { get; set; }
+    }
+
+    public class Join : Alias, IJoin {
+
+        public Join(string tableName, string alias)
+            : this(tableName, alias, "join") {}
+
+        public Join(string tableName, string alias, string type)
+            : base(alias) {
+            if (String.IsNullOrEmpty(tableName)) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Table Name can't be empty");
+            }
+
+            TableName = tableName;
+            Type = type;
+        }
+
+        public string TableName { get; set; }
+        public string Type { get; set; }
+    }
+
+    public class DefaultHqlSortFactory : IHqlSortFactory
+    {
+        public bool Ascending { get; set; }
+        public string PropertyName { get; set; }
+
+        public void Asc(string propertyName) {
+            PropertyName = propertyName;
+            Ascending = true;
+        }
+
+        public void Desc(string propertyName) {
+            PropertyName = propertyName;
+            Ascending = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    public class DefaultAliasFactory : IAliasFactory{
+        private readonly DefaultHqlQuery _query;
+        public IAlias Current { get; private set; }
+
+        public DefaultAliasFactory(DefaultHqlQuery query) {
+            _query = query;
+            Current = _query.BindItemCriteria();
+        }
+
+        public IAliasFactory ContentPartRecord<TRecord>() where TRecord : ContentPartRecord {
+            Current = _query.BindPartCriteria<TRecord>();
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IAliasFactory ContentPartRecord(Type contentPartRecord) {
+            if(!contentPartRecord.IsSubclassOf(typeof(ContentPartRecord))) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Type must inherit from ContentPartRecord", "contentPartRecord");
+            }
+
+            Current = _query.BindPartCriteria(contentPartRecord);
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IAliasFactory Property(string propertyName, string alias) {
+            Current = _query.BindCriteriaByAlias(Current, propertyName, alias);
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public IAliasFactory Named(string alias) {
+            Current = _query.BindNamedAlias(alias);
+            return this;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IContentManager.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IContentManager.cs
index 7379a8482..7a039fc39 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IContentManager.cs
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IContentManager.cs
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
 
         void Flush();
         IContentQuery<ContentItem> Query();
+        IHqlQuery HqlQuery();
 
         ContentItemMetadata GetItemMetadata(IContent contentItem);
         IEnumerable<GroupInfo> GetEditorGroupInfos(IContent contentItem);
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlCriterion.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlCriterion.cs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..93e495da8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlCriterion.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Globalization;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+
+namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
+    public interface IHqlCriterion {
+
+        string ToHql(IAlias alias);
+    }
+
+    public abstract class HqlCriterion : IHqlCriterion {
+        public abstract string ToHql(IAlias alias);
+    }
+
+    public class BinaryExpression : HqlCriterion {
+        public BinaryExpression(string op, string propertyName, string value, Func<string, string> processPropertyName = null) {
+            if(value == null) {
+                throw new ArgumentNullException("value");
+            }
+
+            Op = op;
+            PropertyName = propertyName;
+            Value = value;
+            ProcessPropertyName = processPropertyName;
+        }
+        
+        public string Op { get; set; }
+        public string PropertyName { get; set; }
+        public string Value { get; set; }
+        public Func<string, string> ProcessPropertyName { get; set; }
+
+        public override string ToHql(IAlias alias) {
+            var processed = String.Concat(alias.Name, ".", PropertyName);
+            if(ProcessPropertyName != null) {
+                processed = ProcessPropertyName(processed);
+            }
+            return String.Concat(processed, " ", Op, " ", Value);
+        }
+    }
+
+    public class CompositeHqlCriterion : HqlCriterion {
+        public string Op { get; set; }
+        public IList<IHqlCriterion> Criterions { get; private set; }
+
+        public CompositeHqlCriterion(string op) {
+            Op = op;
+            Criterions = new List<IHqlCriterion>();
+        }
+
+        public CompositeHqlCriterion Add(IHqlCriterion criterion) {
+            Criterions.Add(criterion);
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        public override string ToHql(IAlias alias) {
+            var sb = new StringBuilder();
+            var first = true;
+            foreach(var criterion in Criterions) {
+                if(!first) {
+                    sb.Append(Op).Append(" ");
+                }
+                else {
+                    first = false;
+                }
+
+                sb.Append(criterion.ToHql(alias)).Append(" ");
+            }
+
+            return sb.ToString();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public static class HqlRestrictions {
+
+        public static IEnumerable<string> FormatValue(IEnumerable values, bool quoteStrings = true) {
+            return from object value in values select FormatValue(value, quoteStrings);
+        }
+
+        public static string FormatValue(object value, bool quoteStrings = true) {
+            var typeCode = Type.GetTypeCode(value.GetType());
+            switch (typeCode) {
+                case TypeCode.String:
+                    if (quoteStrings) {
+                        return String.Concat("'", Convert.ToString(value, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture), "'");
+                    }
+                    
+                    return Convert.ToString(value, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
+            }
+
+            return Convert.ToString(value, CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion AllEq(IDictionary propertyNameValues) {
+            var conjuction = new CompositeHqlCriterion("and");
+
+            foreach(string propertyName in propertyNameValues.Keys) {
+                conjuction.Add(Eq(propertyName, propertyNameValues[propertyName]));
+            }
+
+            return conjuction;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion And(IHqlCriterion lhs, IHqlCriterion rhs) {
+            return new CompositeHqlCriterion("and")
+                .Add(lhs)
+                .Add(rhs);
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Between(string propertyName, object lo, object hi) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static CompositeHqlCriterion Conjunction() {
+            return new CompositeHqlCriterion("and");
+        }
+
+        public static CompositeHqlCriterion Disjunction() {
+            return new CompositeHqlCriterion("or");
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Eq(string propertyName, object value) {
+            return new BinaryExpression("=", propertyName, FormatValue(value));
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion EqProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Ge(string propertyName, object value) {
+            return new BinaryExpression(">=", propertyName, FormatValue(value));
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion GeProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Gt(string propertyName, object value) {
+            return new BinaryExpression(">", propertyName, FormatValue(value));
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion GtProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion IdEq(object value) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion In(string propertyName, ICollection values) {
+            if (values.Count == 0) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Collection can't be empty", "values");
+            }
+            return new BinaryExpression("in", propertyName, "(" + String.Join(", ", FormatValue(values)) + ")");
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion In(string propertyName, object[] values) {
+            if (values.Length == 0) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Collection can't be empty", "values");
+            }
+            return new BinaryExpression("in", propertyName, "(" + String.Join(", ", FormatValue(values)) + ")");
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion InG<T>(string propertyName, ICollection<T> values) {
+            if (values.Count == 0) {
+                throw new ArgumentException("Collection can't be empty", "values");
+            }
+            return new BinaryExpression("in", propertyName, "(" + String.Join(", ", FormatValue(values)) + ")");
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion InsensitiveLike(string propertyName, string value, HqlMatchMode matchMode) {
+            var expression = Like(propertyName, value, matchMode);
+            expression.ProcessPropertyName = x => String.Concat("lower(", x, ")");
+
+            return expression;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion IsEmpty(string propertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion IsNotEmpty(string propertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion IsNotNull(string propertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion IsNull(string propertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Le(string propertyName, object value) {
+            return new BinaryExpression("<=", propertyName, FormatValue(value));
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion LeProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static BinaryExpression Like(string propertyName, string value, HqlMatchMode matchMode) {
+            switch (matchMode) {
+                case HqlMatchMode.Start:
+                    value = "'" + value + "%'";
+                    break;
+                case HqlMatchMode.Exact:
+                    break;
+                case HqlMatchMode.Anywhere:
+                    value = "'%" + value + "%'";
+                    break;
+                case HqlMatchMode.End:
+                    value = "'%" + value + "'";
+                    break;
+            }
+
+            return new BinaryExpression("like", propertyName, FormatValue((object)value, false));
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Lt(string propertyName, object value) {
+            return new BinaryExpression("<", propertyName, FormatValue(value));
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion LtProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion NaturalId() {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Not(IHqlCriterion expression) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion NotEqProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        public static IHqlCriterion Or(IHqlCriterion lhs, IHqlCriterion rhs) {
+            return new CompositeHqlCriterion("or")
+                .Add(lhs)
+                .Add(rhs);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlExpression.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlExpression.cs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b726f6f2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlExpression.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,185 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+
+namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
+
+    public interface IHqlExpressionFactory {
+
+        void Eq(string propertyName, object value);
+        void Like(string propertyName, string value, HqlMatchMode matchMode);
+        void InsensitiveLike(string propertyName, string value, HqlMatchMode matchMode);
+        void Gt(string propertyName, object value);
+        void Lt(string propertyName, object value);
+        void Le(string propertyName, object value);
+        void Ge(string propertyName, object value);
+        void Between(string propertyName, object lo, object hi);
+        void In(string propertyName, object[] values);
+        void In(string propertyName, ICollection values);
+        void InG<T>(string propertyName, ICollection<T> values);
+        void IsNull(string propertyName);
+        void EqProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName);
+        void NotEqProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName);
+        void GtProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName);
+        void GeProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName);
+        void LtProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName);
+        void LeProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName);
+        void IsNotNull(string propertyName);
+        void IsNotEmpty(string propertyName);
+        void IsEmpty(string propertyName);
+        void And(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> lhs, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> rhs);
+        void Or(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> lhs, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> rhs);
+        void Not(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> expression);
+        void Conjunction(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> expression, params Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>[] otherExpressions);
+        void Disjunction(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> expression, params Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>[] otherExpressions);
+        void AllEq(IDictionary propertyNameValues);
+        void NaturalId();
+    }
+
+    public class DefaultHqlExpressionFactory : IHqlExpressionFactory {
+        public IHqlCriterion Criterion { get; private set; }
+
+        public void Eq(string propertyName, object value) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Eq(propertyName, value);
+        }
+
+        public void Like(string propertyName, string value, HqlMatchMode matchMode) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Like(propertyName, value, matchMode);
+        }
+
+        public void InsensitiveLike(string propertyName, string value, HqlMatchMode matchMode) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.InsensitiveLike(propertyName, value, matchMode);
+        }
+
+        public void Gt(string propertyName, object value) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Gt(propertyName, value);
+        }
+
+        public void Lt(string propertyName, object value) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Lt(propertyName, value);
+        }
+
+        public void Le(string propertyName, object value) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Le(propertyName, value);
+        }
+
+        public void Ge(string propertyName, object value) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Ge(propertyName, value);
+        }
+
+        public void Between(string propertyName, object lo, object hi) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Between(propertyName, lo, hi);
+        }
+
+        public void In(string propertyName, object[] values) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.In(propertyName, values);
+        }
+
+        public void In(string propertyName, ICollection values) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.In(propertyName, values);
+        }
+
+        public void InG<T>(string propertyName, ICollection<T> values) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.InG(propertyName, values);
+        }
+
+        public void IsNull(string propertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.IsNull(propertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void EqProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.EqProperty(propertyName, otherPropertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void NotEqProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.NotEqProperty(propertyName, otherPropertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void GtProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.GtProperty(propertyName, otherPropertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void GeProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.GeProperty(propertyName, otherPropertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void LtProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.LtProperty(propertyName, otherPropertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void LeProperty(string propertyName, string otherPropertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.LeProperty(propertyName, otherPropertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void IsNotNull(string propertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.IsNotNull(propertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void IsNotEmpty(string propertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.IsNotEmpty(propertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void IsEmpty(string propertyName) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.IsEmpty(propertyName);
+        }
+
+        public void And(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> lhs, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> rhs) {
+            lhs(this);
+            var a = Criterion;
+            rhs(this);
+            var b = Criterion;
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.And(a, b);
+        }
+
+        public void Or(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> lhs, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> rhs) {
+            lhs(this);
+            var a = Criterion;
+            rhs(this);
+            var b = Criterion;
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Or(a, b);
+        }
+
+        public void Not(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> expression) {
+            expression(this);
+            var a = Criterion;
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.Not(a);
+        }
+
+        public void Conjunction(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> expression, params Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>[] otherExpressions) {
+            var junction = HqlRestrictions.Conjunction();
+            foreach (var exp in Enumerable.Empty<Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>>().Union(new[] { expression }).Union(otherExpressions)) {
+                exp(this);
+                junction.Add(Criterion);
+            }
+
+            Criterion = junction;
+        }
+
+        public void Disjunction(Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> expression, params Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>[] otherExpressions) {
+            var junction = HqlRestrictions.Disjunction();
+            foreach (var exp in Enumerable.Empty<Action<IHqlExpressionFactory>>().Union(new[] { expression }).Union(otherExpressions)) {
+                exp(this);
+                junction.Add(Criterion);
+            }
+
+            Criterion = junction;
+        }
+
+        public void AllEq(IDictionary propertyNameValues) {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.AllEq(propertyNameValues);
+        }
+
+        public void NaturalId() {
+            Criterion = HqlRestrictions.NaturalId();
+        }
+    }
+
+    public enum HqlMatchMode {
+        Exact,
+        Start,
+        End,
+        Anywhere
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlQuery.cs b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlQuery.cs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6b3818343
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Orchard/ContentManagement/IHqlQuery.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using Orchard.ContentManagement.Records;
+
+namespace Orchard.ContentManagement {
+
+    public interface IHqlQuery {
+        IContentManager ContentManager { get; }
+        IHqlQuery ForType(params string[] contentTypes);
+        IHqlQuery ForVersion(VersionOptions options);
+        IHqlQuery<T> ForPart<T>() where T : IContent;
+
+        IEnumerable<ContentItem> List();
+        IEnumerable<ContentItem> Slice(int skip, int count);
+        int Count();
+
+        IHqlQuery Join(Action<IAliasFactory> alias);
+        IHqlQuery Where(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> predicate);
+        IHqlQuery OrderBy(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlSortFactory> order);
+    }
+
+    public interface IHqlQuery<out TPart> where TPart : IContent {
+        IHqlQuery<TPart> ForType(params string[] contentTypes);
+        IHqlQuery<TPart> ForVersion(VersionOptions options);
+
+        IEnumerable<TPart> List();
+        IEnumerable<TPart> Slice(int skip, int count);
+        int Count();
+
+        IHqlQuery<TPart> Join(Action<IAliasFactory> alias);
+        IHqlQuery<TPart> Where(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlExpressionFactory> predicate);
+        IHqlQuery<TPart> OrderBy(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlSortFactory> order);
+    }
+
+
+    public interface IAlias {
+        string Name { get; }
+    }
+
+    public interface IAliasFactory {
+        IAliasFactory ContentPartRecord<TRecord>() where TRecord : ContentPartRecord;
+        IAliasFactory ContentPartRecord(Type contentPartRecord);
+        IAliasFactory Property(string propertyName, string alias);
+        IAliasFactory Named(string alias); // returns an existing alias
+    }
+
+    public interface IHqlSortFactory {
+        void Asc(string propertyName);
+        void Desc(string propertyName);
+    }
+
+    /*
+     *
+     *  query                                       // IHqlQuery<ContentItem>
+     *      .Join<RoutePartRecord>().As("route")                // IAlias(query), IAlias<T>(query<TP>), IAlias<TP,TR>(query<TP,TR>) alias name is implicit, there can't be any conflict
+     *          x => x.Where(route => route.
+     *      )
+     * 
+     * query.Join<
+     * 
+     * query: IAlias
+     * 
+     * 
+     * IHqlQuery<T> ONLY, because we can have <ContentItem> by default, and the Records can't be used in expression though, thus having them
+     * in the generic type is useless. _manager.HqlQuery<GammaPart>() will create a new query then apply ForPart<GammaPart>
+     * 
+     * .Join<TRecord> is only valid for ContentPartRecord because they will resolve the fake civ.{TRecord} property
+     * .Where<TRecord> is only valid for ContentPartRecord because they will resolve the fake civ.{TRecord} property
+     * .Where( on => on.Named("foo"), x => x.Eq("Id", 1))
+     * 
+     * 
+     * .Join( on => on.ContentPartRecord<FieldIndexPartRecord>().Property("IntegerFieldIndexRecords", alias: "integerFields")
+     * .Where( on => on.Named("foo"), x => x.Eq("Id", 1))
+     * .Where( on => on.ContentPartRecord<FieldIndexPartRecord>(), x => x.Eq("Id", 1))
+     * 
+     * 
+     * Join(Action<IAliasFactory> alias)
+     * Where(Action<IAliasFactory> alias, Action<IHqlExpression> predicate)
+     * 
+     * Thus we can create aliases directly from the Where()
+     * 
+     * IAlias {
+     *   ContentPartRecord<TRecord>() where TRecord : ContentPartRecord
+     *   Property(string propertyName, string alias)
+     *   Named(string alias) // returns an existing alias
+     *   
+     * }
+     */
+
+
+}
+
diff --git a/src/Orchard/Orchard.Framework.csproj b/src/Orchard/Orchard.Framework.csproj
index 0d9e5ff4f..a8ec89816 100644
--- a/src/Orchard/Orchard.Framework.csproj
+++ b/src/Orchard/Orchard.Framework.csproj
@@ -169,7 +169,11 @@
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\ContentIdentity.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\ContentItemBehavior.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\ContentPartBehavior.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="ContentManagement\DefaultHqlQuery.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="ContentManagement\IHqlExpression.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="ContentManagement\IHqlQuery.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\Handlers\DescribeMembersContext.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="ContentManagement\IHqlCriterion.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\ISortFactory.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\DefaultContentDisplay.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentManagement\Drivers\ContentShapeResult.cs" />