Beirut Urban Declaration Studio Exhibition

“The “emptiness of cities” in this context is considered under the same lens, for all urban communities that are recovering after disasters. The “urban silence” has created a real sense of anxiety and existential emptiness. An impromptu silence following the explosion has provoked a rethinking of our daily life and consequently of all the modalities of our life; the fear, for example, of losing the social and urban references that constituted the structure of our city over the centuries. ”

— Beirut Urban Declaration

The devastation that occurred on august 4. 2020 in Beirut made us once again reconsider the meaning of the city in general, the affected area, and the role that architecture plays in the construction of a sense of identity. In this context, the historical layers of the city which are based on its socio-economic and urban fabric are essential to developing a contemporary vision and projects for the devastated area of Beirut city.

The faculty and students of design studios for fall and spring 2020-21, were involved in projects that addressed the immediate social needs, as well as other projects that would be part of an urban overview of the city.

The exhibition features the work of final year projects that explored the destroyed areas under four urban categories: Waterfront, Connections, Landmarks, and Neighborhoods. The objective was to involve students in the re-envisioning of the destroyed areas both on a practical and theoretical level, with the prospect of generating new scenarios for a communal urban life conducive to dialogue, participation, and communication among all the stakeholders in the city.

11-12 December. 2021. Beit Beirut - Museum and Urban Cultural Center

SynErgy in the City

“Guest teachers and lecturers (amongst many others): Lilet Breddels (Curator and tutor at KULeuven), Nabil Menhem (Urbanist and Architect, co-founder of MetroPolicies and tutor at ALBA), Rani Al Raji (Architect, Creative and DJ), David Aouad (Director Institute for Environmental Studies & Research, Professor at LAU’s School of Architecture and Design)”

— Studio Beirut

Are there ways to organize infrastructural facilities on a neighborhood scale in times of cracking systems and institutions? Directly after the explosion in Beirut in August 2020, we saw an intense solidarity and community sense of the people of Lebanon to help each other from cleaning the rubble to fixing houses to providing food and water. Now that the dust has settled, Beirut and Lebanon are still dealing with huge problems in terms of energy supply, inflation, and lack of resources in general. One of the biggest problems is the lack of energy that literally puts the country on hold. Mobility is another challenge as fuel prices became unaffordable for the majority of people that, until recently, were still relying on private cars.

All over the world citizens experiment together with their (local) governments on how to renegotiate responsibilities, ownership, and maintenance of public services. This workshop is intended to be the kick-off of a larger and longer project in Lebanon to create a sustainable citizen-based network or infrastructure. The workshop will be partly hands-on, working on 1) creating an (electric) bike or foot-bike and 2) working on a low-tech energy device. Apart from the practical work, there will be talks, lectures, guests teachers and discussions on how a participative society works and what are the obstacles and challenges for enabling micro-scale governance structures and system change. Is bottom-up urbanism possible?

Link to workshop and public program

Aouad in Krakow Talking About Recent Projects

Invited by the faculty of architecture at the University of Technology in Krakow/Poland, Aouad lectured about his recent projects as founding partner at DAJH Architects. His lecture entitled “SUrF”, reviewed to an audience of students and university faculty, selected delivered and ongoing projects in Lebanon and abroad .

Aouad also took part of an evaluation jury for final year graduating architecture students where he exchanged development ideas and future guidelines with presenting students. This series of lecture is funded and made possible with the efforts of NAWA, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.

Unusual City Tour: Badaoui Area

Zone 7 (highlighted in light blue) running at the eastern edge of the Beirut river, holds within its realm many contrasting landscapes. Badaoui area, just below Armenia street, exemplifies this out-of-context urban situation. Spatial inequality in dwelling conditions or accessibility to social and physical infrastructure often materialize in urban areas in cities in developing countries, affecting the quality of life of those living in these areas. To narrow the increasing gap between better-off and worse-off neighborhoods, policymakers are trying to compensate for discrepancies and target these underprivileged areas.

The specific morphology of cities, their histories, their geographical characteristics, the extent of inequality in society are just a few of the contingencies that determine the present and future of divided cities. From those contingencies emerge divisions and if not recognized, it is impossible to draw a clear roadmap for the elaboration of a sustainable planning strategy. Although the results on the ground can work out very differently for each place, it will be crucial to look at divided cities keeping in mind individual preferences, individual constraints, and opportunities.

Maps and Images by D. Aouad

Aouad Guest Critic on TU-Delft/IESR Complex Projects Studio Collaboration

Once called ‘Paris of the East’, the Lebanese capital has been devastated by a shocking blast in August 2020, leaving hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injured. Dwellings, public service, healthcare and infrastructure were left in shambles. Lebanon has already been facing its worst humanitarian, socioeconomic and financial crisis, since the 1975-1990 civil war, which has led to widespread protests for political reform in 2019. Exacerbated by the impact of sanctions and dwindling US dollar reserves, as well as the effects of the global pandemic, Lebanon’s economy has been in a free-fall. The recent explosion at the port of Beirut which has damaged almost half of the city is just further compounding the turmoil.

The explosion should be seen as an impetus for the change. Besides the immediate humanitarian relief and early recovery, the city needs to establish long-term measures to return to a path of stability and development. In collaboration with Lebanese American University and its Institute for Environmental Studies and Research, the studio will address Beirut’s multiple acute challenges, notably its protracted socio-economic crisis, the reconstruction of Beirut and the restoration of its heritage.

Read more in TU-Delft website

Neoliberalism, Globalization, and the Ecological Crisis

The collapse of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 1990’s ushered a new political and economic era, marked by the triumphant emergence of Neoliberalism and the globalized capitalist world order. Some thirty years after this major turning point, it is clear that this new world order has led to the breakdown of the foundational elements of the socio-political order in nation-states, with disastrous consequences as evidenced by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. Many critics have associated the Neoliberal policies across the globe with the increasing challenges posed on the environment, and the prognostics of an ecological disaster on the horizon.

In this symposium we propose to examine the consequences of Neoliberalism and Globalization and its environmental impacts by addressing the role that architecture and urban planning policies played in this respect, the impact of  environmental on the constitution of the city, the role of information technology, and the relation between nature and the human in the context of a sustainable environment. This symposium will seek to address and debate these issues through a panel of invited critics and scholars in an interdisciplinary setting.

Link to event

SUrF: A lecture by David Aouad

“SUrF is acronym for Shared Urban Facilities, a collective motivated by the exploration and understanding of contemporary architectural issues through an intuitive and creative process. ”

— D. Aouad

David Aouad, founding partner and principal at DAJH Architects and founder of SUrF, will talk about multidisciplinary contextual design approach and the understanding of the specificities of each project, using research and exploration as a back-bone. Through a collaborative process with project teams, clients, vendors, and trades, grows his interest in creating an exploration of project goals and obstacles, resulting in better, cost-effective solutions.

The presentation will cover Aouad’s professional and academic achievements, discussing his firm’s constant thrive to offer new alternatives for achieving solutions, going through, on the one hand, delivered and ongoing architectural, design, and community-driven projects, and on the other hand, his research interests, and publications. 

Link to webinar

Watch the recording

Soul Of Beirut Seminar

“August 4, 2020, the day that impacted and wrecked the lives of thousands of Lebanese. This day is not just a day to mourn and grieve, but also a day that is a major wake-up call for change. Living and rebuilding will continue, but what happened on this day will never be forgotten nor forgiven.”

— Inspireli Awards

The divided city is ‘a physical crisis nestled within a political crisis’. The physical nature of the city stems from its spatial, psychological, and economic dynamics that operate semi-autonomously and differentiates it from larger political milieus. In most cases, a divided society will eventually generate a divided urban space, hence a clear interrelation is made between a divided society and a divided city. It is a matter of the connection between social ramification and social inequality on the one hand and spatial segregation on the other. Inequalities can aggravate inconsistencies and abandon society’s most vulnerable members.

Aouad’s presentation Neighborhood Planning for a Divided City will investigate neighborhood planning as a flexible framework that one must undertake to provide the divided city of Beirut with a healthy and sustainable development for the future years to come. Acknowledging that difference and diversity are a noteworthy feature of the city and its society, and should hence be incorporated in any planning approach, even if the consequences on the ground may differ, and considering that planning could change the spatial, economic, social, and political dimensions of a defined urban space, it would be crucial to depict which of these dimensions can be used to intensify or lessen contestations over space in the case of a divided city such as Beirut

Watch the recording

Two Things [6]

1.

It has been almost a year since August 4th, when surveys from thousands of households, under the multi-sector needs assessment, identified the following priorities: Shelter, reconstruction and rehabilitation, livelihoods, cash assistance, access to healthcare and medication, psychosocial support, and food security. Amid a wave of local and international organizations providing help and assistance for many, in a city more divided than ever, impoverished by a series of overlapping poor management, where sectarianism has emerged as a crucial mobilizing agent in the struggle for urban reform or preservation, it is time today to investigate neighborhood planning as a flexible framework that one must undertake to provide the divided city of Beirut a healthy and sustainable development for the future years to come.

2.

Difference and diversity are noteworthy features of the city and its society – to be incorporated in any planning approach, even if the consequences on the ground may differ. Considering that planning could change the spatial, economic, social, and political dimensions of a defined urban space, it would be crucial to depict which of these dimensions can be used to intensify or lessen contestations over space. By introducing a spatially targeted program sought to solve social problems at the neighborhood scale and innovative tools for neighborhood planning and management, backed by a small-scale governance structure, neighborhood planning will create an intermediate level between the municipality, citizens, and other local actors, enhancing its social capital, leading eventually to an undivided planning strategy at a city scale.

Work in Progress

Mechanical works installation and ceiling closing in project MEH-1339

View project

Sustainable Beirut City Planning Post August 2020 Port of Beirut Blast: Case Study of Karantina in Medawar District

The 4 August 2020 Port of Beirut blast caused material damage to an estimated 77,000 apartments located across 10,000 buildings within a 3 km radius of the blast, impacting around 300,000, people predominantly in the municipality of Karantina, which is situated adjacent to the Port of Beirut. The blast shed light on the instability and unsustainable development approach of the city of Beirut since well before the French mandate circa 1921–1940. The impact of the blast provides an opportunity to reassess the relationship between many relevant aspects of the city planning including but not limited to: the relationship of the city to its suburbs, waterfront, and city center; the lack of local planning and cross sectorial master plans; the preservation of the heritage versus the complexity of its urban development; the city growth and increased haphazard urbanization; the infrastructure/service systems that have over the years become increasingly deficient; the lack of public spaces; impacts on urban climate; and the urban divide and inequality that have only grown deeper since the blast, all of which have a combined and adverse impact on the quality of city life.

This paper analyzes the most suitable indicators that one must highlight within the context of Beirut city to propose a better and sustainable quality of life with a focus on areas that were significantly impacted by the recent POB blast, namely Karantina. Examples of indicators which were analyzed include sustainable urban design, open spaces, heritage, infrastructure, and urban fabric. The results indicated that the following four main urban design features help improve the quality of life in Karantina, including: (i) connecting areas of Karantina and Mar Mkhael through the reactivation of vacant lots; (ii) reactivation of Ibrahim Bacha and El-Khodr Streets; (iii) redefining the historical El Khodr Mosque boundary and reclaiming its role as an urban landmark; and (iv) integration of classified built heritage. These parameters are necessary to improve the quality of life. The benefits of community participation are also assessed in the improvement and sustainable planning of the city of Beirut.

Download the article

View the special issue

Investigating mbncp·

As cities struggle to adapt to the changes in society, culture, technology and the economy, new types of urbanism intriguingly manifest themselves as necessary tools for its re-naturalization. Today’s understanding of re-naturalization has shifted from the traditional focus on squares, parks and pavements to a broader concept that recognizes the value of less formal leftover spaces and the daily interactions that occur in them. It is through this manifestation and the emergence of a more dynamic, flexible or adaptive urbanism, that the city could become more responsive to new needs, demands and the preferences of its users

Within the context of a growing urbanization on a territory that can no longer accommodate such growth, and the lack in open and public spaces to respond to users’ needs, municipal Beirut finds within its realm an urban resource that can no longer be ignored. Aouad’s work is an inquiry into the role of leftover space and more specifically non-constructible parcels, regarding their values and potentialities for the re-naturalization of the city, based on their contribution to the public realm.

This investigation is part of Aouad’s ongoing research interests on Municipal Beirut’s urban fabric, and more specifically the left over spaces within its realm.

Explore mbncp page

A Different Kind of Climate Change

“As a follow-up to the mind catching article that triggered this lecture, Brower’s contribution to our students and faculty have shed a new light to a topic that most of us deemed obsolete or even out of reach. Brower was able, through his inspiring presentation, to inject a much-needed human approach that caught the attention of the audience and triggered an interesting debate about the future of climate change and its relation to migration and social behavior. His response to many of the questions asked were spot on and brought a practical, realistic and responsible spin to the overwhelming and often paralyzing impacts of a rapidly changing climate.”

— D. Aouad

Anthony constantly redefines sustainable design by uncovering transformational patterns in the built environment that generate new design approaches that are responsive and responsible. An award winning architect, writer, public speaker and member of the USGBC college of Fellows whose passions around high performance building design and its potential impact on the built environment drive him to continually research and uncover how design needs to evolve to respond to the overwhelming and often paralyzing impacts of a rapidly changing climate.

His work spans wide array of market expertise, and includes a primary focus on office buildings, education, civic and culture, mixed-use, sports, and media projects. As a co-author of Gensler’s Impact by Design publication, Anthony has the unique ability to navigate the impact of opportunities at a very broad scale while simultaneously working through the details that individual projects need as they contribute to the greater mission.

More info at IESR

Watch the lecture here

NYIT R-Cubed Symposium & Workshop

“A sincere thank you for your participation in the R-CUBED Symposium and Workshop at the New York Institute of Technology on April 16th and 17th, 2021. Your attendance at the symposium and the wonderful workshop sessions created rich conversations, inspired our students, and created new possibilities for our project. We can’t thank you enough for spending your Saturday with us and making the workshop a success! Thank you again, on behalf of the R-CUBED team, for sharing your insights and collaborating with our students, it was an invaluable learning experience for them… and a special thanks for taking the lead and jumping in with such enthusiasm in the conversation!! You’re the BEST!!”

— Farzana Gandhi

R-Cubed: Relief x Reconstruction x Resiliency critically considers the role of academia within community-based disaster relief projects with real stakeholders, sites and potential impact. The initiative aims to provide an experiential learning experience for students collaborating across multiple disciplines, while participating in current, pressing social and environmental research. Projects build infrastructures (physical, educational, social, biomedical, technology, communications) in locations recently affected by natural disasters such as pandemic, floods, storms, earthquakes, and drought and by man-made disasters such as political conflict, social injustice or economic decline.

Aouad was invited to participate during this two day event (April 16-17, 2021) and worked within a team of diverse professionals / community stakeholders / students on disaster scenarios to test-drive the beta R-CUBED digital tool for collaborative engagement. The tool aims to empower communities often left behind and facing systemic issues with ways to connect with each other and with professionals working on the ground.

Link to site

View the Symposium here

Beyond Campus Gates: Redefining the Role of Universities

Omar Blaik founded U3 Advisors LLC in 2006, as a consultation firm for campus design and development, with the belief that anchor institutions hold the key to sustainable community and economic development for their cities. Since 2006, Omar has overseen U3’s efforts to regenerate two neighborhoods in Detroit – Midtown and the McNichols Corridor; the Memphis Medical District; College Park, Maryland, and Chicago’s South Side, home to the University of Chicago.

Watch the lecture here

Prior to forming U3 Advisors, Omar Blaik served as Senior Vice President of Facilities and Real Estate at the University of Pennsylvania from 1996 until 2006. During his term, he oversaw the transformation of its campus into a vibrant community. Under his management, Penn embarked on more than $2.0 billion in new construction and $700 million of real estate development projects, which transformed the campus and the surrounding community, receiving AIA and Business Week awards.

In this presentation, Omar will present case studies of campus design and development, combining a strategic approach to planning with economic sustainability.

Ramadan Series "2020" Shot on Location at SUrF

Ramadan top series ‘2020” Internal Security Forces scenes were shot on location at SUrF, Mkalles.

The story of the series begins with the Lebanese Internal Security Forces obtaining, after a long wait, information that the gang leader, the drug dealer (Deeb al-Deeb), will pay to the neighborhood in which his family lives and whose members all work in the drug trade. The reason for this visit is the return of his mother from Pilgrimage.

The series was directed by Philippe Asmar and stars Kosai Khauli, Carmen Lebbos, Nadine Nassib Njeim.

Watch the full episodes here.

Beirut Urban Declaration: Conference / April 10-11

On day 1, and within the framework of the third axis: A comprehensive approach for the rehabilitation of the Destroyed Area, Aouad will be presenting his work on the Morphological and Typological study of the Karantina Region and its Relationship with Charles El Helou Highway.

The conference is organized by the Order of Engineers and Architects Beirut and the Chaderji Foundation for Architecture and Society with the support of Fondation de France, in collaboration with Faculties of Architecture in Lebanon and with the participation of many experts and academics in the field.

View the sessions recordings

View program

View DAJH-bud page

Aouad at Cafex / Hotelier Cairo, Hybrid Edition

At this year's Hotelier, Aouad will be meeting on the 6th and the 7th of April with FF&E and OS&E suppliers.

This current edition will be Hybrid ( Physical & Online) to allow B2B with a selective base of “Cherry picked” exhibitors from more than 120 key exhibitors covering the full spectrum of the Hospitality FF&E, OSE and F&B industry under one roof. You will be able to meet online and close to real with 360 view and live meeting call to view “Hotel Room Mock-up” display of different Set-Ups being exhibited covering all aspects of Hotel Contract Furniture & Furnishings.

View site

Beirut Urban Declaration: Workshop

Transport and urban mobility, housing, Beirut’s harbor, heritage preservation, towards a master plan for the districts devastated by August 4, 2020 blast. These issues, crucial to Beirut reconstruction, will be discussed on 12, 13, 14 March 2021 during a digital forum organized by the Order of Engineers and Architects of Beirut. With the support of the French government, UNESCO-LiBeirut and the International Union of Architects

An open forum with simultaneous translation in English, French and Arabic

View day 1 recording here

View day 2 recording here

View day 3 recording here