“This project uses elements in a thoughtful way to create a rich urban place. Smart use of its surfaces and resources and in keeping with the local conditions. The outdoor spaces are more comfortable because every piece of the building is leveraged to its best advantage.“

Jury Comments, 2009 National AIA Honor Awards

Following the master plan guidelines proposed by Sasaki Associates, the project intends to complete the university lower campus with a sports and recreational facility that include a swimming pool, basketball court, athletic facilities, indoor and outdoor amphitheatres, café and underground parking. The project consists of five separate low-lying buildings organized around a series of courtyards, pedestrian walkways and roof gardens that are oriented towards the sea and negotiate the elevation change from the upper campus to the seafront.

Architecture and landscape are carefully weaved together in order to create a diversity of spaces where students can gather throughout the day and the evening. The design is further enhanced by the innovative use of environmental strategies combining planted roofs, sun control, thermal mass with radiant surfaces, slab cooling, chillers cooled with sea water from deep wells and natural ventilation. While intended to encourage social interaction, the design approach focuses on reducing energy as well as water consumption, preserving the existing trees and directing daytime and night time breezes to cool the outdoor spaces.

CONSULTANCY TEAM
Lead Architect
VJAA
MEP Engineer
Barbanel Middle East
Climate Engineer
Transsolar Klima Engineering
Landscape Architect
Hargreaves Associates
Quantity Surveyor
DG Jones & Partners
Project Management
DG Jones & Partners
Principal Contractor
Karagulla Engineering and Contracting
Photography
Paul Crosby
FACTS
Client
American University of Beirut
Scope
Associate Architect, Structure & Supervision
Area
18,950 m²
Completion
2008
Award
2009 AIA Honour Award 2008, AIA/COTE, Top Ten Green Environmental Buildings, Nominated for the 2010 Agha Khan Award