Yet another intervention on the highly targeted Beirut Corniche strip. This last blue artery still attracts prime investments even with its proximity to Solidere, by far the largest and more valuable investment area in Beirut. That is so because it boasts two noticeable qualities, first and foremost is the sea view and proximity to the shore; a definite set parameter in international real estate practice. Second and probably more importantly is the history of the neighborhood, its residential quality built up over almost a century by old Beirutee families, by established cultural institutions such as the AUB, the Goethe Institute, and other set symbols such as the Light House…

However, land prices are very high so in order to make their investment lucrative, the project had to stretch vertically, since this increases the number of sellable units. This is also a by-product of the high allowable exploitation ratios, more so in this lot, since it is set on two streets allowing 20% more exploitation.

For investors today, it is not enough to have a good location, to have a successful product. A coinciding set of parameters is required to achieve a proper, successful development. Amongst these, location is a definite one; in addition, the project has to offer a plus that sets it apart from the rest of the competition. This plus is present in the design, which we believe in this case to be the whole design approach. We believe such a building should be very contextual, offer the latest in technology under the skin of a classical, serious and design volume.

In our concept we wanted to clearly react to above described situation; consequently, the link between the two streets on which the lot is set became a clear goal. At the ground floor level, we expressed it through a pedestrian ramp linking the two street levels and the two pedestrian entrances; this becomes like an external passage.

We took this idea and stretched it vertically into the apartment floors where it became the main feature of our proposal.

This actually turned out to be a restatement of an already existing concept, the one in all traditional Lebanese houses of central hall typology, that which creates a transparency in the heart of the house and allows for cross ventilation to occur. Again this is clearly stated in our proposed typical floor and also in the layout of all the variations from the duplexes and other simplexes.

From the exterior, the building is composed of two volumes, a curved one fronting the sea and a rectilinear one housing the private zones overlooking the back street.

The curved volume is more fluid and much more dynamic than any rectangular one. In addition to that it houses the reception areas in the typical floors, thus allowing more area to front the sea view. Even on a purely formal level, the curve relates more to the sea, whilst the rectilinear element, joining balconies and planters, frame the horizon of the sea. In detail, great importance is given to framing the sea view, for instance the planters are dropped lower than the finish level of the apartments, which allows an unhindered view to the sea.  In fact, one can appreciate a sea view only when it is possible to hear and to watch the waves break up on the rocks.

The rectangular volume houses all the private functions. We believe that in contrast to the freedom and the lightness of the curve, expressing the panorama in the reception zone, a more efficient layout is necessary for the five bedrooms and two family rooms requested.

The subdivision of these functions allows a constantly naturally lit distribution. The cascading occurring at the upper floors related to Gabarit requirements creates additional terraces for apartments, thus contributing to making even more differentiated floors. This also serves to express even more the higher, curved volume.

In total, we propose five alternatives for a maximum of eleven different tenants; which will serve as an edge for marketing, project promotion and accommodating different budgets and tastes.

photo credit: İeva Saudargaitė