Slim House

Between pine, oak and olive trees in the family’s hometown in Chouf Lebanon, the project will house Mr. & Mrs. Slim, their son and two daughters while providing each of them with their privacy and an independent entry.

Mr. Slim came with an unusual request: being the owner of a metal fabrication company working with high quality international facade systems, he wanted to showcase the different windows and facade systems while responding to the users needs.

An accurate survey of the 2500m2 plot with sloped morphology, was conducted in the aim of preserving every single pine and oak tree while olive trees, flexible by nature, could be relocated.

After several on-site workshops where carried out with the entire family, we proposed a stratification of slabs following the levels of the site allowing the indoor-outdoor activities carried out by the family. 

Several functions were carved out into the existing stone walls of the land making the impact of the dense program lighter on the site. Using the same architectural language, a central stone volume was erected comprising vertical circulation, a fire place and amenities.

The playful slabs outlines, aim to protect the facades from the steep summer sun rays and allow the shallow angled winter sun to warm up the interior. At other locations, these slabs extend the interior into covered outdoor spaces and allow the house to take different directions around a courtyard endowed by its own micro-climate.

In coordination with the electromechanical and structural engineers, the concrete slabs are conceived to embed electrical and mechanical rooting. Once poured, they have their final finish from both sides.

Eventual imperfection in the execution of the concrete works would contrast with the sophistication of the glass facades and emphasize its pure perfection.

Project status | ON HOLD

ARCHITECTURE - Tofy Semaan and Raji Ghannam

STRUCTURAL/ GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING -  POLYTECHNICAL | Mr. Jihad Ghannam