109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 1 ‘USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport’ by 109 architectes in beirut, lebanon images courtesy of 109 architectes

located in beirut, the ‘USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport’ by lebanese practice 109 architectes is nearing completion. integrated into the urban fabric, this new campus seeks to unify architecture with the immediate surroundings teeming with culture and history. carved from an urban block, hollow voids lead to a central gathering space while a large stair receives and circulates students vertically into the building. the stair’s terminus leads to a landscaped terrace with uninterrupted views of the city encouraging students to connect with their environment. 

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 2 front facade and central exterior gathering area

light, a vital component of oriental architecture, plays an important role in the design of the facade. the skin, composed of small ‘moucharabieh-inspired’ perforations, allows both direct light and ambient luminescence to penetrate into the interior spaces creating whimsical patterns. the openings also serve as portals into the urban fabric providing glimpses of the destruction left from the lebanese war, serving as a reminder of their significant landscape.

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 3 entrance to stair

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 4 facade

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 5 central stair

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 6 walkways connecting campus buildings

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 7 walkways connecting buildings from below

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 8 view of building from walkway

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 9 facade detail

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 10 facade detail

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 11 (left) grand stair leading to central gathering area (right) bottom of grand stairs in central gathering area

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 12 central gathering area

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 13 covered gathering area viewing auditorium

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 14 auditorium viewing covered gathering area

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 15 light patterns generated by facade

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 16 view of campus

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 17 site plan

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 18 floor plan

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 19 section

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 20 elevation

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 21 elevation

109 architectes: USJ campus de l’innovation et du sport - 22 sectional light study

 

project info:

location: beirut, lebanon
 client: université saint-joseph (USJ) budget: m usd
 year: 2005-2011
 status: under construction team: ibrahim berberi,  nada assaf, rani boustani, etienne nassar, emile khayat, naja chidiac, richard kassab in collaboration with architect youssef tohmé structural consultant: b.e.t. rodolphe mattar
 mechanical consultant: ibrahim mounayar electrical consultant: georges chamoun
 control bureau: apave