Reclaimed by Nature: Mar Mikhael Sports Park

Project idea

The explosion on august 4th turned Beirut into a city of ruins. The shockwaves altered the topography (port crater), colors, infrastructure, and people. The most affected area was Mar Mikhael. It became a disintegrated ghost town.
Through time, nature will use its memories of the past to reclaim this destroyed post-apocalyptic city and revive its people in a new form becoming a pedestrianized green sports park which will give strength to the people to recover from PTSD and suppression through sports.

Project description

The intervention begins on the destroyed Audi Showroom which was a landmark and an important gateway to the city. Nature will start reclaiming it after its decay, transforming it into a car museum.
The new mutated Audi showroom will take over the adjacent most damaged street making it a pedestrianized park to inject life. The empty lot next to it becomes a sports center with a hotel on top.
Recovering Mar Mikhael’s movement and social connection with its people, there are public stepped seating areas throughout the intervention, inspired by the city’s social staircases.

Technical information

Concrete and steel shell structures are used to create large column-free spaces giving visitors the opportunity of experiencing the fluidity of the interior and build up multiple heights.Greenery will wrap around the structure

Documentation

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