Mar Micheal's pump

USEK - Holy spirit University of Kaslik

Project idea

Beirut, the capital of Lebanon evolved enormously in time and managed to reach a METROPPLITAN status at a certain phase. Nowadays, it is facing many problems affecting its socio-economic situation in many of its neighborhood.
We can easily note the Gentrification issue throughout the past 2 decades as well as the catastrophic EXPLOSION of the 4th of August 2020. These previous factors accelerated the displacement of residents and most importantly the tenants, thus leaving the quarters almost empty.
Our case study was held on the well-known dynamic Neighborhood of Mar Mikhael, the northern City Gate of Beirut.
Considering the fact that any Economic Intervention will positively affect the Social Fabric, we thought of ensuring job opportunities for the renting categories in the previously mentioned area. This startup would surely enhance their reasons to stay, helping furthermore in the growth of the economic sector and the stability of the Social Fabric.
We based our intervention on the following three pillars: Commerce(economy), Art(entertainment), Inclusive engineering and architectural workshops.
We were inspired by the cycle of recovery that continues to happen until today and decided to generate an urban metropolitan Hub.

Project description

Responding to the actual Needs, and to the future ambitions, we proposed to organize our daily market, art labs and shops as well as the construction workshops into a huge Grid based Structural System among a public heritage landscape, "The historical abandoned Train Station of Mar Mikhael”. (reference: Conceptual pdf)

Technical information

On the technical level, we made sure to follow the students’ performance Criteria for the NAAB. We meticulously used the adequate materials and ensured a flexible regular system for possible future changes taking into consideration low budget both in operation and maintenance. In this way the project is susceptible to earn more points in Sustainability. (reference: Conceptual pdf)

Documentation

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