Green Transportation Hub

Beirut Arab university, Faculty of Architecture, Design & Built Environment, Tripoli Campus

Idea projektu

The Green Transportation Hub in Bahsas, North Lebanon, is conceived as a dynamic and symbolic intervention in the urban landscape—a connective artery designed to merge mobility, sustainability, and cultural identity. Inspired by the symbolic geometry of the heart and ribbon, the project aims to revitalize a long-neglected industrial site by transforming it into a center of movement, interaction, and ecological innovation.

Positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the Lebanese mountains, the 2,000-square-meter site is located near Palma Resort in Bahsas. Surrounded by industrial structures no taller than 16 meters, the project responds both to its modest built environment and to its exceptional natural context. With two primary access roads—one from the seaside and the other from the mountain side—the site becomes a threshold between urban infrastructure and natural scenery.

The overarching goal of this hub is to redefine urban transportation by creating a sustainable, human-centered mobility system that connects people and places while addressing Lebanon’s environmental and infrastructural challenges. Through its integrated design, the hub supports multiple transport modes—buses, taxis, and a monorail—while accommodating commercial, administrative, and communal functions, all within a continuous ribbon-like architectural form.

This project is not only a response to technical and urban needs but also a symbolic gesture. Drawing inspiration from Tripoli’s traditional arches and Lebanese geometric patterns, the design fuses heritage with innovation. The ribbon form acts as a visual metaphor for flow, continuity, and renewal, echoing the heartbeat of the city itself. Green façades, kinetic solar screens, natural light atriums, and rainwater collection systems are incorporated to create a living, breathing structure that reflects ecological responsibility.

Ultimately, the Green Transportation Hub stands as a model of urban healing and resilience—a space where architecture, environment, and community converge. It offers not only functional solutions for mobility but also a new narrative of hope, heritage, and sustainable transformation for Lebanon’s future.

Popis projektu

The Green Transportation Hub in Bahsas addresses the growing need for an integrated, sustainable mobility center that harmonizes transportation, urban life, and environmental stewardship. Spanning approximately 2,000 square meters in a strategic coastal-industrial site, the project scope encompasses the design and development of a multi-modal transit hub that facilitates seamless connectivity between buses, taxis, and a monorail system.

The hub’s layout is organized around a ribbon-inspired architectural form that guides circulation and spatial organization, effectively linking transportation functions with commercial, administrative, and public spaces. Key components of the project include:

Transportation facilities: Dedicated zones for bus terminals, taxi stands, and a monorail platform aligned along the beach road, ensuring efficient flow and easy transfers between modes.

Public amenities: Comfortable waiting areas, ticketing offices, and green social spaces that promote accessibility, safety, and user experience.

Commercial and office spaces: Market malls and administrative offices integrated within the hub to activate the space economically and socially.

Sustainability systems: Green façades, roof gardens, kinetic solar panels, rainwater harvesting, natural ventilation, and daylighting strategies to reduce energy consumption and promote environmental responsibility.

Site integration: Careful attention to the site's natural and built context, preserving views of the sea and mountains while maintaining a scale compatible with the surrounding industrial environment.

Technické informace

The Green Transportation Hub in Bahsas is designed using advanced structural and environmental engineering techniques to ensure durability, safety, and sustainability. The primary structural system consists of a reinforced concrete frame combined with steel braces, providing robust support to withstand lateral forces such as wind and seismic activity, while maintaining an open, flexible interior layout.

Key technical specifications include:

Structural System:

Reinforced concrete columns and beams form the main load-bearing framework.

Steel braces are integrated diagonally to enhance lateral stability and resistance against seismic and wind loads.

The maximum building height is limited to 16 meters to comply with local zoning regulations and maintain harmony with surrounding structures.

Building Envelope:

Kinetic solar façade panels dynamically track sunlight, maximizing photovoltaic energy capture and reducing reliance on external power sources.

High-performance glazing with low-emissivity coatings is used in skylights and windows to improve thermal insulation and natural lighting.

Green façades with climbing vegetation enhance insulation and contribute to air quality improvement.

Sustainability Features:

Rainwater harvesting system collects roof runoff for irrigation and greywater use.

Natural ventilation is optimized through strategically placed atriums and operable windows, reducing the need for mechanical cooling.

Roof gardens and planted terraces mitigate heat island effects and promote biodiversity.

Transportation Infrastructure:

Designated platforms for buses, taxis, and monorail stations are engineered for efficient passenger flow and safety.

The monorail track is aligned along the coastal road, supported by lightweight steel structures to minimize environmental impact.

Materials:

Locally sourced construction materials are prioritized to reduce carbon footprint and support the local economy.

Sustainable materials such as recycled steel, low-VOC paints, and eco-friendly insulation are incorporated throughout the project.

Dokumentace

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