A Lebanese-Omani Centre

Beirut, Lebanon

2008

This House of Arts and Culture is an open environment that invites, draws, and embraces people; it is free to accept any sort of artistic expression and promotes culture drastically, without limits. This versatile structure has been created as a melting pot of cultural innovation. The concept's initial goals were to allow unrestricted roaming of the space and to create a wide-open public plaza. The main goal was to create a public house, a building that belongs to the city and welcomes every generation, especially the young, to participate in the advancement of arts and culture. An engaging and productive house in which citizens may express themselves, share ideas, and make genuine touch with culture. 

With these foundations in place, a distinct Γ-shaped complex of two buildings was created to encompass a huge square towards the pedestrian path. The square serves as the complex's heart and leads to the interior, while a two-pole ramp serves as an alternative urban route; it begins on the pedestrian's road, goes through the building, and leads to the intermediary road that connects plot 128-4 to the high-speed road. The has been to create a structure where the interior and exterior space complement one another. To accomplish this, the building opens up towards its plaza while being shielded by the highway without becoming an impenetrable wall.