WELL-BEING,RELAXATION AND CULTURAL TOURISM IN NIHA

USEK - Holy spirit University of Kaslik

Project idea

Heritage is not the collection of objects inherited from the past and which have lost their functional value, it is the sum of the experiences of communities. Heritage is no longer a simple conservation of traces of the past, it is a place where experiences and values blend together. And so on the archaeological heritage at the Bekaa is in danger either because of ignorance of the existence of archaeological sites, or ignorance of the value of the heritage. The site is in Niha, a peaceful village with two archaeological sites and each site with two temples. I opt in my proposal to revalue these temples and extend the the stay in this village. These are two interventions that encourage dialogue between old and new architectures, but also powerful catalysts to revitalize the social and physical fabric of the village. The challenge was to relate the new to the old visually and geometrically. A face to face between history, architectural past and present with contemporary architecture blurring the boundaries between new and old, traditional and contemporary.

Project description

I personally intended to have an intervention that is as absent as possible, which does not seek to stand out, to “make a monument”, an intervention which is not imposed by its architecture but by its atmospheres and perspectives in dialogue with neighboring Roman temples. First, intervention 1 designed with sober horizontal lines and extreme simplicity, the project deliberately focuses the attention of the visitor on the Archaeological site and harmonizes with its geometry. Perfectly clean lines, their main characteristic is to promote maximum transparency and lightness. The location of the first site was carefully selected to allow a relationship of proximity and dialogue between the architectural project and the existing Archaeological Site. The programming of the first intervention is accommodation to welcome visitors, a spa (well-being and relaxation) which serves as a return area after a day of hiking in addition to a meditation and yoga area and a Restaurant. The Spa / Well-being part is where there is a change of atmosphere by moving from one space to another, so it is the place where natural light can arouse or enhance the architectural experience by moving. The contemplation and meditation part, and the restaurant are the volumes that harmonize with the geometry of the temples. Regarding the second intervention, the visitor must first experience with all his senses the spirit of the place and then possibly continue his visit of the village. This intervention aims to be a real architectural and scenographic tool which should allow an optimal understanding of the history of the place, its territory and that of the men who have inhabited it over time. The project on this site is therefore a reminder of memory. This is a contemporary object inscribed in the natural extension of the archaeological site. The second intervention next to the old St Elie church is to create the church square and the village square. This proposal is an initiating project having a tourist guide area, historical exhibition of the place, a permanent exhibition and a cafeteria and this is the start of the hiking trail to Hosn Niha. And finally, also The archaeological park having temples A and B is also arranged

Technical information

Concerning the technical information, the structure of the project consists of structural walls on all levels of the project , and the technical zone concerning the spa part is obvious in the plans .

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