Relic 12 - Revitalization of Beirut Port

Project idea

The main concept of the project starts with the urban development of the adjacent coastal line to the port of Beirut and the port itself by creating an urban strip consisting of public green areas and a pedestrian strip that has the potential to be connected by smaller pedestrian passes to the center of the city and the historical area. This pedestrian and green promenade ends by a large urban park inside the port of Beirut zone, that will be used for recreational and cultural activities.

Project description

The main architectural project is located in silos and explosion area. It is divided into three main functional categories, the first being a memorial path for the victims of the explosion, creating a main axis for the project and integrated with the silos building. The silos building is kept on its current state to act as a landmark for the project and additional memorials in shape of bubbles are added to it for the memory of the victims. The second functional area is a cultural center consisting of a concert hall with the capacity of 800 people, a museum related to the history of Beirut up until the explosion itself, an art gallery and exhibition area to encourage the upcoming artistic talent in the city and last a 3 floors library, media tech center and cultural center that can be used for public cultural classes. The third area is the commercial area consisting of food court and resto/pubs, a small retail center and a separated hotel in order to generate revenues for the entire project.

Technical information

The main construction of the project is divided into two main structural approaches. the first is a reinforced concrete structure consisting of columns and structural walls and prestressed concrete slabs for long spams. the second is a metal structure in the form truss systems, which was used for long cantilevers and for huge open spaces.
the upper part of the project is enveloped by an automated kinetic skin that closes and open depending on the sun orientation during the day in order to have keep a high energy saving in the project. in addition the project will be powered by solar energy taking into consideration the big amount of sunlight during the year in Beirut.
The aim of the project is to be a self-sufficient structure and to be an example in the development of eco-friendly architecture in the country.

Documentation

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