A Wake Up Call from Annabel Karim Kassar

Annabel Karim Kassar French-born architect has developed an international expertise in Architecture and Interior Design since founding her architectural practice in Paris in 1994.

During Beirut Design Week , AKK Architects has announced ‘ Handle with care’ a story of conservation and restoration of traditional Lebanese housing to raise awareness on the significance of protecting our Lebanese architectural identity through creating a panel talk for Lebanese designers, architects, influencers and others on the ground floor of the 750 m² .

The building is located in one of the most cultural and historical areas in Beirut Gemmayze , Gouraud street.

The mansion was built in 1870  for a prominent Lebanese family in the final decades of the Ottoman Empire.

In this pop-up exhibit, Kassar shared the first exploration of the renovation work, diagrams, survey drawings, digital photogrammetric documents, studies on reconstruction, and architectural details that was used back then and opened the doors of Beit Kassar to the people to engage people and encourage them to experience all the architectural and historical details.

“In order to grow, we need to be connected to our roots.” said Annabel. The aesthetics of the Ottoman-era-its scale, elegance and craftsmanship , permeate the consciousness of the Lebanese people.

The ground floor consist of commercial shops, while the family will occupy the two remaining floors, overlooking the street and the gardens below.

There are several restoration architects and specialists who will work on this project such as:

• Doris Shäffler, an engineer and photogrammetric specialist
• Ziegert Roswag ,  an architect, who will restore the structural aspects
• Aurelia Badde, a conservator and restorer
• Ralph Bodenstein, an expert in architecture, architectural history and art
• Nathalie Chahine, an conservation architect and restorer
• Youssef El Khodr , architect

as well as other local artisans who will be commissioned to restore the building’s spectacular ceilings, screen windows, frescoes and staircases.

Beit Kassar will be completed within two years where Anabel will combines the modern and historical look through using contemporary furniture within this historical skin.

The exhibition was lit by Cai-Light, Christophe Hascoet, Annabel Karim Kassar and Isabelle Rolland.

Finally, one can say that it is time to wake up and learn the importance of preserving and protecting our Lebanese historical identity rather than neglecting or demolishing them since we can create impressive outcome.

Public relation by Mariana Wehbe PR

Photographed by Clombe clier, Samer Noun, Matheo el khodor, Andrew Farhat and Theconcept

Article by Theconcept