souks entertainment center by AKK architects, caï light + valode et pistre architects

souks entertainment center by AKK architects, caï light + valode et pistre architects
above image courtesy of tony elieh

the ‘souks entertainment center’ is located in the northern reaches of the old souks of beirut, lebanon. originally a reconstruction project, caï light, valode et pistre architects and annabel karim kassar architects (AKK) were declared joint winners in a 1993 competition by solidere to complete the building.

‘souks entertainment center’
image by tony elieh

eleven years after the competition, the project was relaunched. since more than a decade had passed, the program had to be rethought to respond to current needs. the reimagined ‘souks entertainment center’ contains 14 movie theaters, as well as food courts, retail centers, offices, and a ‘mega’ store space.

the space contains movie theaters, as well as food courts, retail centers, offices, and a mega store space
image by tony elieh 

the main volume, which acts as the face of the structure, is composed of metal golden ribbons that wrap around in a north-south orientation. together they generate a dynamic sculptural form that gives the center a dynamic image.

front façade 
image by tony elieh

in order to emphasize the image of the project, caï light (AKK’s sister company founded by christophe hascoet, annabel karim kassar, and isabelle rolland), transformed the façade into a moving light texture. 5,000 LED polycarbonate modules (brilliant model) were embedded within the structure. when in use, the structure becomes a luminous, shifting texture that switches colors and patterns throughout the evening and night. 

5,000 LED units are embedded within the building
image by tony elieh

moving texture due to LED lights 
image by tony elieh

the structure attempts to blend in with boutiques along allenby street 
image by ieva saudargeite

details 
image by ieva saudargeite

the project was originally meant to be started in 1993 
image by ieva saudargeite

‘souks entertainment center’ was a joint effort by AKK architects and valode et pistre architects
image by tony elieh

façade detail 
image by tony elieh

LED polycarbonate lighting modules

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