The concept consisted in lifting key contextual elements ? traditional building material and Lebanese gardens ?and revives them with contemporary interpretations. So conventional wood and dark stone found an unexpected contrast in vivid red metal, and space-efficient vertical gardens replaced their horizontal predecessors. These elements complement the diversity of the surrounding context. While it looks like a simple geometric shape from afar, the structure consists of three parallel elongated blocks each with a unique identity that?s revealed on approach, while a cantilevered section that extends out towards the street emphasizes the building's partly public function, a contemporary art gallery that occupies the ground floor to introduce a cultural and commercial element to the project.
© Kinan Mansour

Architects: J.M.Bonfils and Associates

Location: Mar Mikhael, Bayrut, Lebanon

Architect In Charge: Jean-Marc Bonfils

Area: 8000.0 m2

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: Kinan Mansour , Wael Khoury Photography, Chadi Younes

Collaborators: Marwan Matta & Lea Ksayer

Structural Engineers: Rodolphe Mattar

M E P Engineers: Kamal Sioufi & Associates

Contractors: Kfoury Contracting & Engineering

© Wael Khoury Photography

From the architect. The concept consisted in lifting key contextual el...