2009 Beyrouth, Liban

House of Arts and Culture

Beirut’s urbanscape was deeply transformed by the violent period of war between 1975 and 1990. War-torn towers await demolition whilst new developments - hotels and commercial centers - flourish rapidly. Only a few traditional houses survived, amongst the rubble and scaffolding.

The competition for the ‘House of Arts and Culture’ marks an important turn in the history of the city. The first cultural center to be commissioned since the end of political tensions, it demonstrates a wish to invest in the field of the arts and reinvent the city as a contemporary creative capital.

Our proposal draws its inspiration from the iconic form of the ‘house’ as a symbol of universal belonging, which establishes an interesting parallel with the slowly disappearing traditional buildings of the city. Located in an emergent neighborhood, the House is an oasis amongst the more generic buildings, and looks to offer a flexible space for creation. To achieve this a house within house was designed at the heart of the building, an open volume accessible to all, which acts as a central stage. Seen from the different floors this is a public plaza dedicated to art, culture and the visitors.

 

 

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Info + Press

Project information

Status
Competition
Location
Beyrouth, Liban
Date
2009
Area
17000 m²
Commission type
Public
Client
Lebanes Ministry of culture
Program
Theatre, cinema, exhibition space, offices, public space, concert hall, workshops

Project team

Architect
Dorell.Ghotmeh.Tane Architects, Paris
Photograph frame
Joumana Al-Jabri, Dubai
Engineering
Bollinger + Grohmann Gmbh, Frankfurt
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_11
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_05
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_01
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_04
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_06
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_03
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_08
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_10
House of Arts and Culture Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture LB03_09