Returning the sea to the people// Beirut, Lebanon

Project idea

The return of the sea to the citizens was preceded by the need to return to the citizens of Beirut the sea that was taken away by the port. With this project, I propose to move the port east of the existing one. more precisely on the other side of the river.

The focus of the project is on water and how it communicates with it’s users. Because port of Beirut wasn’t commercial and for civil use in general, the idea was to create a sustainable landscape with an emphasis on human needs and well-being.

New water routes connect the most important directions on the site. Due to the current world environmental crisis, the idea of sustainability has appeared in all segments of the project. The original idea was to cover large distances with smaller vessels, while people can use footbridges for shorter distances. These bridges are designed so that they can also be used by service vehicles in case of need.

Project description

The proposal to move the cargo terminal stemmed from the need to commercialize the port, as well as to make the passenger terminal bigger. On the western part there is a marina with a yachting club.

The positioning of the marina closer to the city center is justified because these users are the target group of more luxurious facilities that can be found within the new port.This is just one of the possible strategies to improve tourism, as well as the overall economy of Beirut.

Also, by increasing the capacity of the passenger terminal for large vessels (such as cruisers), the possibility of increasing the number of gravels anchored in this port increases.

As for the urban solution, it can be noticed that the complex is divided into three parts.

The first is the linear park, which represents the distance from the highway. Air pollution is a big problem and we are distancing ourselves from it by setting up a forested park.

The second is a residential complex with the potential for rent. The ground floor is open so as not to obscure the view of the sea.

The third is the cultural-memorial zone. It includes an old silo, a marina, a yacht club and park areas.

As for the memorial park around the silo, it was conceived as a special unit dedicated to the memory of the explosion and the unification of the people for a common goal.

There are 4 types of apartments within the residential buildings. From one-bedroom to luxury two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. The most common is type three, a two-bedroom apartment for a family of three. the larger bedroom has its own toilet with a separate closet, while the children's room uses a shared bathroom. The living area is an open concept with a dining room and a kitchen. The pantry is separate and is entered from the kitchen.

The smallest apartment is one bedroom for two people. It has a separate toilet from the bathroom, kitchen with pantry and dining room. There are two separate units in the living area. The first room is for reading with a small library. the other is a classic living room with a sofa and armchairs, gathered around a central table.

Technical information

The construction of the buildings is made of steel and pre-stressed concrete , all buildings stand on columns and have open ground floor. The facade is made of brick, so it has a rural component. Stairs and elevator shaft are made of steel and glass. The water channels are made of concrete.

Documentation

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