The Beirut Mosaic
Completion: November, 2022
Site: Beirut, Lebanon
Context: TU Delft, The Netherlnads. Group Academic Project, MSc3,4 Complex Projects graduation studio
Supervisors: E. Blom, K. Kaan, H. Smidihen, H. Van der Meel
Collaborators: L. Donne, M. Grech, K. Meijman, T. Van Gelder, L. Van Vliet
Tools: AutoCad, Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, PremierePro, After Effects
The Beirut Mosaic is situated in the south-wester coastal suburb of Beirut, Lebanon capital city. The area has a rich history of privatisation congestion, fragmentation and empty plots. Here the project for the Beirut Mosaic proposes a vision for the future of this socially and architecturally fragmented suburb next to the last public beach of the city, Ramlet al Baida. Its strategy focuses on enhancing the mosaic character; creating pedestrian friendly connections, developing two key public spaces: the Beach Promenade and the AirPark, boosting affordable housing and education. Thus the overall vision for the area is creating clusters of recreational public activity throughout the neighbourhood that draw people from the centre, so manifesting local character.
The first key piece that is redeveloped is the core of this suburb. It hosts the largest ungated park of Beirut, creating several leisure activities, with the National Winery located at its southern edge, reinforcing traditional Lebanese culture. Next to the popular Spineey’s supermarket, the New Mar Elias Crop Market connects the people of Beirut with their food chain. A massive affordable housing project, Beirut’s Livingroom, with its massive plinth is established across the street creating a multifunctioning square. Moreover, living conditions throughout the suburb will be improved throughout the addition of quality affordable housing projects densifying the area. The nearby private Jnah School Complex will be enhanced through the addition of a public school, attracting a diverse range of people.
The second key piece of the Mosaic is Ramlet al Baida Beach. Through the pedestrianisation of its promenade and the addition of commercial venues the area will generate interest for the whole of Beirut. The Lebanon Dance Theatre with its openair performances gives reasons to visit the area and wander around afterwards. Visiting the area is made accessible because of the addition of a new Ferry Port. Offering access via the sea instead of via the congested streets of Beirut.
Safeguarding these new public areas is a priority, the Salam Emergency Station is a safe haven that addresses safety throughout the Mosaic and the whole of Beirut. The services can use the public transport lanes that connect the Mosaic to the rest of the city.
In conclusion, throughout the enhancement of key public areas, connecting these in a pedestrian friendly way and with the individual projects as catalysts, the vision for the Beirut Mosaic manifests local character through the activation of public space.
(gif) The timeline shows the development of Beirut with a focus on its western coastline.
Credits: The Beirut Mosaic graduation group in Complex Projects graduation studio, Beirut - Delft, 2022.