{"id":16097,"date":"2014-09-22T11:11:04","date_gmt":"2014-09-22T09:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.area-arch.it\/the-landmark-2\/"},"modified":"2015-09-30T21:37:38","modified_gmt":"2015-09-30T19:37:38","slug":"the-landmark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.area-arch.it\/en\/the-landmark\/","title":{"rendered":"The landmark"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Beirut, a city spanning several millennia, history is lost in the mists of time: archaeological sites set our minds roaming, ancient history is eroded, softened; recent history is still laying bare its scars and endeavouring to put its grief to rest\u2026
\nAgainst that background, building life, materializing a future at the heart of the capital, enriching the wounded city, helping it to bloom again and regain confidence in its charm and appeal: such are the aims of an architect who is proposing to create, at the heart of the capital, what might be called a neighbourhood, namely connecting squares, streets, stores, various styles of housing and, for visitors, a hotel, restaurants and bars designed with the city in mind.
\nFacing the S\u00e9rail, within sight of the French district, just a few steps from the Garden of Forgiveness, in an area bearing the traces of centuries past, our task is to \u201cpetrify\u201d the century ahead, generate appeal, erect an urban landmark, invent a new high street and conjure up a souk atmosphere for the 21st century. The urban landmark we are proposing is a tower some 160 meters high, with a silhouette, materials and an upward rhythm that will belong to Beirut, and Beirut alone. A vertical line with such character, such individuality that, upon seeing it, people will exclaim \u201cBeirut\u201d. It will evoke \u2013 not caricature or parody \u2013 life, Mediterranean cities and the delights of Lebanon.
\nIt is that lifestyle in those white houses that conjures up a complex and hidden world, the easy way of life in this voluptuous climate \u2013 the envy of many throughout the world. It is also the geometrical interplay of black shade and white walls, a stream of finely carved windows and shaded terraces, ideal for plants and flowers. At night, onlookers will sense and make out, without seeing, a host of silhouettes in the glints of amber behind the geometrical shapes created by backlighting. From a distance, the Plein C\u0153ur Tower asserts its identity: it is crowned by a \u201chead\u201d, resolutely turned towards the sea; during the day, the sunlight will stream through, while at night it will be lit and radiate light. The Tour du C\u0153ur stands tall from every view-point in the Rue des Anamorphoses, a new shopping street, a new place of interest for the new youth of Beirut. A street where brands and images from the boutiques are reflected in mirrored cylinders; a street where shade is key, and strolling is pleasant. The H\u00f4tel Oriental, occupying the first fifteen floors, affirms its presence at the corner of Rue des Anamorphoses and Rue du Sud. The rooms are filled with a warm amber, golden and crimson glow, a hazy reminiscence of orientalist sensations. International brand boutiques open directly onto the Riad el Solh square. Large woven blinds printed with prestigious logos provide a glimpse of the lighting and goods within. Higher up in the building, apartments protect the privacy of their planted terraces with more blinds: from the outside, the overall impression is one of both presence and discretion. Throughout the area, fa\u00e7ades vary according to their orientation and the nature of the structures they are facing. The overall composition echoes the surrounding buildings. And so a whole new area is born, vibrant with present-day life and present-day sensations, right at the heart of Beirut.<\/p>\n