Lebanon Has Suffered A Severe Economic Crisis Which Directly Affected The Energy Resources, Subsequently It Affected People’s Lives Whether At Home And/Or At Work Because The Current Buildings Are Not Designed To Adapt With The Environment.
The Cracks And Traces Of Lebanon’s Economic Crisis Have Become Very Visible In The Social, Cultural, And Urban Fabric Of The City, Transforming The Lived Realities Of Its Inhabitants And Ushering Them Into New Forms Of Survival. People Moved Towards Individual Solutions Which Resulted In Urban Distortion And Deformation, For Example The Solar Panels That’s Scattered Randomly.
This Is Where The Project Plays A Part In Introducing Traditional Architecture To The Public As A Solution To The Problems We’re Facing, It Has An Aim Of Raising Awareness Regarding The Important Values Of This Architecture As It Responds To Social And Environmental Needs, Which Could Be An Attempt To Revive The Glory Of It, And Adhere And Preserve The Architectural Heritage.
The Project Is An Innovation Center That Focuses On Clean And Sustainable Energy Solutions And Technologies To Improve Energy Efficiency. All In Aim To Reduce Building’s Energy Consumption And Improve Quality Of Indoor Spaces Especially While Lebanon Is Facing A Power And Economic Dual Crisis. Blending Innovation And Educational Functions, Exhibitions And Landscape Patterns, The Innovation Center Is Designed To Act As An Open Laboratory Of Life, Science, Technology And Curiosity.
It Is Expected To Act As A Teaching Material In Introducing Building’s Energy Efficiency In Lebanon.
The Project Includes Innovation, Experimental And Exhibition Spaces. Innovation And Experimental Spaces Focus On Training Programs, Workshops, Competitions, And Ideation Sessions That Target University Students, Staff, Alumni, And The Academic Sector At Large, These Spaces Seed Also Innovative Ideas And Prepare Them For Acceleration And Start-ups. While Exhibition Spaces Target All Segments Of Society To Raise Awareness Of The People On The Social, Economic And Environmental Benefits Of Energy Efficiency In The Building Sector, And To Contribute To The Awareness Of The Value Of Traditional Heritage, Especially When It Is Considered For Energy Efficient And Sustainable Architecture.
The Project Is Located In El Mina, North Lebanon ( Beside Beirut Arab University ) As It Incorporates Many Of The Historical And Traditional Wonders So The Concept Can Focus On Taking An Innovative Approach That Evokes The Local Culture Without Literally Copying Past Forms, By Reusing The Relevant Elements Inherited From The Past And Adapting Them To Meet The Needs Of The New Innovation Center.
The People Come From Different Backgrounds And Gather To Learn And Work. The Different Typologies Of Spaces Encourage Learning, Collaboration, Innovation, Identity And Communication, So The Project Serves As A Social Platform For Diversity. It Focuses On Creating Pathways Of Knowledge For The People He’s Attracting Through An Interesting Circulation Experience; And Serves As A Micro City Where People Have The Freedom To Explore And Make Their Own Decisions On What And How They Want To Learn Regarding Energy Efficiency In The Building Sector And The Contribution Of Traditional Architecture In This Field.
Overall, The Environment Becomes The Teacher.
The Accumulation Of Different Volumes That Contain Different Programs And The Interconnection Of Them With A REBELLIOUS PATH SYSTEM ( Spine Of The Project ) Are The Main Components That Consists The Project. The Ramp Links The Different Elements Consisting The Project, Creates Easy Circulation Throughout It And Makes USER’S EXPERIENCE Interesting. This PROMENADE Allows Access To Various Functions From Different Levels.
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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY And ENERGY EFFICIENCY Is Built Into Every Facet Of The Project. Elements Of Building Orientation, Wind Flow, Water Receiving Landscapes, Traditional Elements Like Courtyards And Green Features Such As Green Roof, Appropriate Materials And Structures Are Introduced Into The Building To Be ECO-FRIENDLY And ENERGY EFFICIENT. It Corporates Traditional Elements And Principles Along With Technological Systems To Create Timeless Sustainable Energy Efficient Architecture.
The Traditional Elements And Principles Are Modified To Meet Contemporary Requirements And To Convey Fresh Meanings By Utilizing New Building Materials, Techniques, Structures... In Order To Create A Desirable Indoor Environment. The Building Is Inspired By Traditional Principles, Yet The Designed Outcome Is A Hybrid Between The Traditional And The Contemporary.
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