Socio-Diaspora, Beirut First Multicultural Center

Notre Dame University–Louaize, Faculty of Architecture, Louaize

Project idea

This project aims at breaking this vicious cycle of immigration by submerging the user into the waves of immigration learning from past mistakes and taking advantage of the huge network of immigrants that lead the user to experience a transcended present and finally reach a future of full of opportunities. I'm proposing to do the first multicultural center in Beirut. Socio-Diaspora will be a place where people from different cultures, and backgrounds interact with each other while learning multiple skills creating an inclusive society and creating better relations between Lebanese people. Socio-Diaspora will be a landmark for the Lebanese community standing against tragic events through history; the project aims to tackle social and economic segregation.

Project description

The port explosion was a global event that created a spark that ignited a sense of bonding through empathy which burned the social stigma on that day showing unity in the Lebanese community. The monumental aspect of the project is expressing a duality against the Port of Beirut, standing as a powerful element, recreating people's reactions on the day of the event. Massive waves of immigration have been emerging from Lebanon and a new wave emerged when the explosion of the port happened. The project is located in front of the port in order not to dissolve the sentimental value of this portrait through the implementation of change on the site.

Technical information

The project is made of an exoskeleton truss system structure and Delaunay triangulation, to add value to the concept of the project expressing connectivity. Other materials used for the project are glass and perforated aluminum panels.