Portmetheus: The reformation of Beirut's Port

Project idea

After the explosion of August 4, 2020, 220 people lost their lives, and 33,000 were left wounded, a large area of the city center has collapsed, leaving behind ruins and a deeply wounded city. The source of the explosion was a warehouse on the second pier of the port causing damage to the cultural heritage and the general identity of the city. The basic idea of the port's design is the reunification of the divided population of the city, through the effort to heal them from the post-traumatic stress caused by the explosion.

Project description

The basic idea of the design of the port is the reunification of a divided crowd, through the attempt to heal it from the post-traumatic stress that was created. The architectural environment awakens specific emotions and determines the conscious for the subconscious behavior, the restoration of which will make the inhabitants feel safe again. For this reason, the design of the entire port area is based on the principles of the architecture of trauma and memory.The main gesture is the 3 staggered planes that frame the center of the explosion and the Grain Silo, creating a symbolic amphitheatrical movement. The flows formed as a result of this movement, depending on the level they are located, are divided into markets, Souks, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) park, parking and warehouses of the port, creating a heroic gesture of coexistence. At the same time, the public life converges around bazaars and souks.

Technical information

The port provides all the prerequisites from the competition facilities, such as the container and cargo zone, the passenger terminal, the memorial area with the silos and the administration with the parking, covering the requirements in square meters and saving as much space as possible for joint activities.Following the standards of the Mediterranean climate, the outdoor area is fully exploited with more terraces and recesses in each house and natural lighting and ventilation are served with openings in the upper parts of the balconies and other elements of oriental architecture, such as the ivan (open arched room), the arcades and the occasional use of domes. The houses are differentiated in height so that there is a view of the port from any point. Stone and concrete are used, which are the main building materials in Lebanon. The presence of black basalt and limestone are also evident in the masonry creating stripes (ablaq) on the arched pieces, a popular style of decorating buildings.

Documentation

Show PDF 1