The House of Arts and Culture

The culture of a city evolves from and is embodied in it’s urban fabric. The dense, historic Islamic/Mediterranean structure of the old town was swept away by decades of conflict and renewal. It was within these alleys, squares and streets that the complex culture of Beirut had evolved. The accidental meeting on the way to the library or college, at the cafe or outside the book shop, generated interactional and debate.

The new House of the Arts seeks to recreate this fertile environment. It is not one building but a cluster of buildings enclosing a three dimensional network of alleys, steps, streets and squares off which it’s diverse cultural activities can thrive. Students, visitors, performers, administrators all share the multiple horizontal and vertical circulation routes. While functions are grouped and can be secured from the main circulation routes, it is also possible to open up the routes when privacy is not required.