Urbanism and city structures reveal the essence of people; it dissects their culture, history, and way of life. In effect, the traces and details left in forgotten spaces are the purest elements in the exploration and discovery of cities.

Beirut is a city inherent with layers of meaning. A fifteen-year Civil War has lead to a life focused indoors rather than one out in the streets. As a response, in-between public spaces have been often entirely neglected and discarded as wasted terrain vague. The investigation of my own city manifested itself in multiple perceptions re-scripting while understanding the overarching stages of its history. The in-betweens were re-designed with local characteristics, responsive to sensory elements surrounding each area, and catered solely for the people, in creating pedestrian experiences for the urban dweller.

Find below my Thesis publication and more information regarding my process and explorations.

Recalling cultural Identity of the In-between. Thesis study on the streets of Beirut, Lebanon.

Collage representing the uniqueness of the streets and in-between spaces. Most important elements of culture are portrayed through the people and  the street-scape extracting the layers of the city (social, political, and strong connection to m… — Collage representing the uniqueness of the streets and in-between spaces.
Most important elements of culture are portrayed through the people and the street-scape extracting the layers of the city (social, political, and strong connection to memory in an area faced with constant conflict).

Streets and Buildings of Beirut

Public and Private

Public spaces include the in-betweens, the streets. Unfortunately there is always excessive surveillance on the streets, not allowing people to act freely. The back alleys become that source of freedom.

Public Spaces and Green Spaces

There are very few green spaces in Beirut, most of which are public. The abandoned terrain-vague and the in-between spaces remain.

Site plan of Explored In-between in Beirut, Lebanon. The chosen neighborhood is located near to the waterfront and remains as one of the most secular areas in the region. — Site plan of Explored In-between in Beirut, Lebanon.
The chosen neighborhood is located near to the waterfront and remains as one of the most secular areas in the region.

Recordings of the in-betweens and life on the streets. The exploration includes a record of sensory elements (sounds, smells, viewpoints, and interactions) - Influential parts of the design. — Recordings of the in-betweens and life on the streets.
The exploration includes a record of sensory elements (sounds, smells, viewpoints, and interactions) - Influential parts of the design.

Creating a network of interconnected public spaces.

Section - Elevation of one of the in-between designs. Sound absorption occurs with the wood and greenery, leading the dweller into a recessed space. Walking away from the city and the city sounds to a more secluded and intimate space for people to g… — Section - Elevation of one of the in-between designs. Sound absorption occurs with the wood and greenery, leading the dweller into a recessed space. Walking away from the city and the city sounds to a more secluded and intimate space for people to gather. Embracing the in-betweens.

Sensory study of the area (red: smells, yellow: sounds, blue: viewpoints, brown: interactions).

Diagrammatic model of the design of in-between spaces (detail)

Diagrammatic model of the design of the in-between spaces