Cut From Water’s Edge: The Stone Villas of Lebanon
Cut from Water’s Edge: The stone Villas of Lebanon
Eric Baldwin, Architizer Journal
“Between steep mountains and the Mediterranean Sea lies Lebanon, a country rich with history and culture. Inhabited since before recorded history, the land has belonged to many empires and civilizations, including the Egyptians, Romans, and Ottomans. Gaining independence in 1943, Lebanon now stands as a dynamic cultural center along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Basin. Known across the world for its capital city of Beirut, or the ‘Paris of the Middle East,’ the country’s cities and building traditions have evolved dramatically over time. Lebanon was once covered in forests of cedar trees, a natural resource used for construction that would eventually become emblematic of the country itself. However, exploitation and deforestation of cedar groves would drive builders to stone, a material readily found within the nearby mountains.
Today, stone houses can be found throughout Lebanon. Making use of limestone, granite, and various aggregates, these residences explore different relationships between mass and void. Crafted as rectilinear retreats with solid foundations, the houses open up the Lebanese landscape while providing secure spaces for living and relaxation. Whether designed with delicate stone screens or solid walls and envelopes, these buildings emerge from their surroundings as ordered, hierarchical volumes referencing place. The following collection examines Lebanon’s stone villas and their designs across the country. Varied in scale and context, the modern residences show how a common material can be used to create an uncommon and dynamic architecture for contemporary life.”
Plot 580 Bsous featured in Architizer Journal, by Eric Baldwin
