Plot # 2180 is located in the Hamra district, an area considered to be one of the main economic and diplomatic hubs of Beirut. Due to its numerous cafes, hotels and theaters, Hamra was known as the trendiest neighborhood and the center of intellectual activities particularly in the years that preceded the civil war. It was often described as a bastion of liberalism and secular heaven that embraced multiple religions and political views. To this day, it is still considered to be the least affiliated area around Beirut as the zone hosts a relatively limited number of churches and mosques. In the mid 1990’s the Beirut municipality gave its main arteries a facelift in an attempt to reactivate pedestrian traffic and commercial activity in the area. A number of university campuses are located in its vicinity. Those include the American University of Beirut (A.U.B), the Lebanese American University (L.A.U) and the Haigazian University.

Our project program includes a 120-square-meter commercial base at street level. The body of the building (from level 1 to level 8) includes 40 open space studios with ceiling heights of 4.5 meters. The studios are accessible from an open bridge / balcony that runs along the back façade of the building. The gross surface area of each unit is 60 square meters with an additional 20-square-meter sleeping loft located in mezzanines which are fully open at the south and north orientations. The crown of the building (floors 9 & 10) include 3 penthouse duplex apartments of 115 square meters with an additional 80 square meters of open air terraces for each unit. The 7 levels underground include parking as well as technical spaces. The total built-up area above street level is approximately 3,200 square meters with an additional 3,200 square meters below ground.