Beirut's Phoenix Trail

Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Architecture, Debbieh

Idea projektu

Design a vibrant and sustainable temporary art trail experience in Gemmayzeh, Beirut, specifically focusing on Gouraud Street. This project features a mix of indoor and outdoor installations and sculptures by both local and international artists, to promote cultural exchange, attract tourism, and enhance the urban environment. The project celebrateS Lebanon's art scene while raising awareness about climate change through the innovative use of recycled materials in both the art installations and the temporary structures. The design prioritizes the preservation of any existing trees on the site, integrating them seamlessly into the art trail experience.

Popis projektu

Concept
Post-Crisis- Rebuilt, this project transforms the remnants of destruction into an art trail. Utilizing recycled materials and rubble from past explosions, the installation embodies the phoenix cycle, rising from the ashes. The raw and unfinished aesthetic mirrors the city's ongoing journey towards recovery. By embracing the vulnerability of a construction site, the project becomes a powerful sculpture that reflects Beirut's resilience. The building's form evolved in response to the site's existing trees, program requirements, and historical context. The initial design was modified to preserve significant trees, ensuring their integration into the building's layout.

The visitor experience is carefully choreographed through a multi-layered circulation sequence. The journey begins at a semi-shaded entrance pavilion, adorned with evocative prints crafted from repurposed materials, offering a glimpse into the city's past and present. This initial art trail leads to the main node, a vibrant art exhibit designed to immerse visitors in the heart of the project. Within this central structure, a "Dual Ramp Concept" guides visitors: one ramp ascends to a mezzanine-level community hub and art installations, symbolizing urban progress, while another descends, offering a reflective transition back to the city. The trail then extends to a secondary stage, encouraging further exploration and discovery, ensuring a dynamic and contemplative journey through art and urban narrative

Technické informace

At its core, the project embodies a "Post-Crisis- Rebuilt" concept, transforming the remnants of destruction into a powerful art experience. It utilizes recycled materials, notably rubble and salvaged aluminum sheets from past explosions to craft installations and building elevations that symbolize the "phoenix cycle" and the city's journey towards recovery. This deliberate choice of raw and unfinished aesthetics mirrors Beirut's ongoing reconstruction and resilience. Structurally, the main art exhibit employs a distinctive space truss system, providing an open and dynamic framework for the artistic showcases.