Starfish

Project idea

As a result of context analysis, a number of features of the location became apparent, and information about
the region was gathered to create the project's first hypothesis. Later, a portion was left out to make room
for a potential expansion area, likely for filter use to connect the industrial portion already present in the
port. The project's aim is to forge a shape in which environments and paths can grow and change over time,
becoming a seamless part of the surrounding environment. The concept: STARFISH, has been established by
this concentration.
The path was created to house the many functions in anticipation of potential future expansion, just as starfish
have the ability to grow their arms based on the storage of their organs and to reproduce. It is possible to
develop new residences or services in the untreated eastern region so that the roofing can grow a new
branch that extends to the new structures. The center of the concept is a shelter with an organic shape that
spreads out to connect and house all the services and operations now taking place at the port, the silo, and
the salvaged buildings. There is only one driveway in the west section of the area designated only for
pedestrians and cyclists that leads to the passenger terminal.
This decision is really a basic signal; people are actually free to walk in the full space; it is not a restriction.
In addition to offering people shelter and ensuring their replenishment, the shelter also offers amenities
including bars, restaurants, and cultural services. The structure, which is supported by columns, contains
openings that let light in, resulting in light/shadow effects and air circulation. Two water fronts where people
can interact with the water are made possible by the shelter. In order to lower the warmth and create green
spaces for relaxation and enjoyment, vegetation has been added to the area.

Project description

It started with a context analysis to learn more about the site and its characteristics. Data were collected about the
project idea and then the first hypothesis was developed, studying even more specifically the entire harbor area and
the areas of intervention. The main objective of the project is a canopy that, with its organic form, with its expansion
and contraction, marks paths and accommodates functional buildings underneath it within the area.
From the data collected from the context, we chose to investigate the following issues: temperatures and precipitation,
winds and their intensity, heat islands, noise pollution, and the damage caused by the explosion disaster to the buildings
adjacent to the port. These showed that temperatures are very high and there is little precipitation. Vehicular traffic
greatly influences the concentration of noise in the city. From the remaining buildings, we chose to recover the inner
buildings to the southwest of the Harbor Area. The total size of the harbor is equivalent to 14 times the size of Beirut's
historic city center. Following this preliminary work it was decided to exclude part of the area to leave it available to the
port: which will use it as an industrial zone.
From the concept we drew the shape that in addition to scanning the various paths destined for the terminal, the service
area given by the recovered buildings, the connection with the city where there is the main pedestrian entrance, the
sea surrounding the silo and the future service areas, determines 4 buildings below and in the central part opens into a
large central square.
The area of the canopy measures 0.97 km2, the color chosen for the canopy was white because of its ability to reflect
the sun's rays and not to attract them, the paving of the whole area is beige, the material chosen for the whole structure
was concrete because it is the most widely used material in the city of Beirut. The canopy is 40 cm thick and has small
circular holes and large circular and oval holes; The small circular ones measure 40 cm in diameter and cover the entire
structure where it does not house a building underneath, they are used to create light effects and promote
microcirculation of air making the area underneath cooler. The large circular ones are 30 and 38 m in diameter where
they house green areas, the large oval hole in15x35 meter radii on the other hand opens framing the silo left over from
the disaster, in remembrance to the victims as an acknowledgement of the disaster that occurred. The entire structure
is supported by circular concrete columns with a base diameter of 50cm. The sections show the various heights ranging
from 10,12,8 meters giving dynamism to the structure, where the roof reaches 14m in height it houses one of the
services, the canopy of the various paths is 4m high from ground level. The part to the west the canopy rises and reaches
8m in height inviting precisely the expansion of the project, to the north on the other hand it faces and protrudes over
the water by 80m. There are 4 buildings below the canopy with a diameter of 20 meters each occupying a total area of
1256m2. The route was also designed with a view to possible future expansion. At the top and bottom of the canopy
arm, services or new activities (including residential) could be added to further develop the area to the east. Vegetation
has been introduced within the area to mitigate the temperature and provide the city with green spaces for recreation
and rest under the shade of trees. The trees were chosen based on a preliminary study, choosing plants that could fit
into a hot and dry climate like Beirut's.
The area under study was decided to make it exclusively pedestrian and bicycle friendly, maintaining only one driveway
access on the west side to reach the passenger terminal. Cars will then be left outside the area. This is not meant to be
a constraint but merely an indication; in fact, people can move freely within the entire area.

Technical information

The area of the canopy measures 0.97 km2, the color chosen for the canopy was white because of its ability to reflect
the sun's rays and not to attract them, the paving of the whole area is beige, the material chosen for the whole structure
was concrete because it is the most widely used material in the city of Beirut. The canopy is 40 cm thick and has small
circular holes and large circular and oval holes; The small circular ones measure 40 cm in diameter and cover the entire
structure where it does not house a building underneath, they are used to create light effects and promote
microcirculation of air making the area underneath cooler. The large circular ones are 30 and 38 m in diameter where
they house green areas, the large oval hole in15x35 meter radii on the other hand opens framing the silo left over from
the disaster, in remembrance to the victims as an acknowledgement of the disaster that occurred. The entire structure
is supported by circular concrete columns with a base diameter of 50cm. The sections show the various heights ranging
from 10,12,8 meters giving dynamism to the structure, where the roof reaches 14m in height it houses one of the
services, the canopy of the various paths is 4m high from ground level. The part to the west the canopy rises and reaches
8m in height inviting precisely the expansion of the project, to the north on the other hand it faces and protrudes over
the water by 80m. There are 4 buildings below the canopy with a diameter of 20 meters each occupying a total area of
1256m2. The route was also designed with a view to possible future expansion. At the top and bottom of the canopy
arm, services or new activities (including residential) could be added to further develop the area to the east. Vegetation
has been introduced within the area to mitigate the temperature and provide the city with green spaces for recreation
and rest under the shade of trees. The trees were chosen based on a preliminary study, choosing plants that could fit
into a hot and dry climate like Beirut's.