The Beach Club

Located along an agriculture plane by the Mediterranean Sea, the project draws on local socio and environmental elements to take shape. Contrary to the local custom of separating the sea from the land by boulevards and clutters of high buildings, the design emphasizes the continuity of the agricultural land along its North-South axis and ensures unobstructed sea views on the East-West axis. 

The ground is uncovered then raised to reach the level of the upper border of the land. The resulting wedge makes room for the new project, where all the functions and space requirements are embedded. The ensuing volume is then sculpted for maximum light penetration and public space.

For any passerby, unaware of the existence of the beach club the view of the fruit trees touching the horizon is maintained. For the visitor, the first encounter with the project is not overwhelming, but rather intriguing. Visitors are drawn to explore the unseen space through a wide opening in the floor that hides as much as it reveals.

Inspired by Mediterranean Architecture the volume opens up towards the sea. The center is eroded to create a piazza around which all circulation is arranged, and maximize the interface of the inside functions with the outdoors. The monolithic aspect of the project is perforated, the land is then tilted forming a slope to maximize the physical and visual relationship between the upper and lower floor. Several courtyards are also introduced in the massing of the project. The cut out spaces are then transcribed onto the lower floor bringing the agricultural plane into the core of the project. Sky wells in the parking facility are also foreseen to reduce the cost of mechanical ventilation and artificial lighting.

The placement of the functions and their orientation follow the principles of sustainable architecture. Cooling down the spaces in hot summer days is ensured through the use of cross-ventilation. 

All around the courtyard, the glass panels can be moved to open the surrounding spaces to the outside, enhancing the ventilation and natural lighting and  creating more livable spaces.

Tennis courts and playgrounds are positioned on top of the building to maximize the open space at ground level and keep the sea view unobstructed. Instead of using wire mesh fences, the project draws on, once more, on traditional craftsmanship and promotes the use of local, environmentally-friendly materials. 

Canes are used to create an envelope that freshens up the air as it goes through it and provides shade against the setting sun.

Project status | COMPETITION WINNER

Project put forward by the Order of Engineers and Architects OEA (March 2017)

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN TEAM - Tofy Semaan and Raji Ghannam

AD HOC CONSULTANTS

PASSIVE DESIGN CONSULTANT -  Mr. Naji Tannous

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING -  PIERRE DAMMOUS & PARTNERS | Mr. Elie Fadous

ELECTRICAL / BMS ENGINEERING -  D.E.P | Mr. Nasr Farhat

STRUCTURAL/ GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING -  POLYTECHNICAL | Mr. Jihad Ghannam

TECHNICAL INSPECTION -  QUALICONSULT Middle East | Mr. Alexandre Richa

FACADE ENGINEERING -  ALUSPEC | Mr. Rawad Saliba 

CONSTRUCTION COST CONSULTANT -  NHCC Lebanon | Mr. Nasrat Husseini