The intention of the project was to provide for the headquarter and residence of the Archbishop of Zahle as well as a community centre adjoining the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas, on an island site in the heart of the picturesque city.

The program is organized around a central cloister flanked by the Cathedral, with the residence of the Archbishop on one end and the community centre on the other, the latter two components connecting together by a linear arcade. Official functions and community services include a multipurpose hall together with its ancillary facilities, a court house, administrative offices and a center for the youth, in addition to accommodation facilities for the assisting clergy, a refectory and medical facilities for the needy. The Archdiocese has been equipped as a comprehensive religious community center, intended to cater for religious, social and communal services for all sectors of the congregation.

The contextual approach allowed for a concentration of construction along the perimeter of the site, hence defining the street edge and clearing the interior of the site in order to prioritize the ‘cloister’ and draw attention to the old free standing Cathedral. The architecture aims at a friendly and modest expression relying on the use of indigenous natural materials, mainly stone, exposed concrete and wood as well as details and motifs reminiscent of the regional religious heritage.