For what yet to come
Reem Ayman - Mariam Nada - Nada Waleed
Supervised by: Assoc. Prof. Holger Gladys
2021
The project engages in unconventional and somehow radical methods to reconstruct the post-blast city of Beirut. Our group drew inspiration from the book "For the War Yet to Come" by Hiba Abo Akar, which provided insights on greater Beirut’s patterns of urbanization that shaped the conflict-ridden areas known as the frontiers. These frontiers can be categorized into three distinct patterns: Lacework, which refers to the division of sectarian communities; Doubleness, which refers to the coexistence of ruins opposite to new developments; and Ballooning, which refers to the illegal expansion of certain buildings to serve as battlefields in times of war. The objective of our proposal is to address these frontiers and anticipate what challenges may arise in the future. The visible demarcation line created by the 1975 civil war, although not as prominent today, still instills hesitation among people from both sides to cross, as described by a local. Even years after the war, the distribution of Beirut's population along religious lines continues to highlight the evident division and concentration of each sect on one side of the line. Our focus area is Bachoura, located in the center of Beirut and gradually being eaten by high-end developments. Bachoura exemplifies the three frontier patterns of having war ruins, uninhabited towers, and the demarcation street, all of which are serving as poignant reminders of the bitter memories of conflict.
The design approach was sparked by the fundamental question of how the Lebanese society can endure memories of war and grief. How can a design strategy for these three frontier sites be employed to help people persist in living with them and endure the memories they evoke? By addressing these questions, we aim to propose a design that fosters resilience, reconciliation, and a sense of continuity.