LEGACYIn 1956 Georges Haddad - Nizar's father- a veteran Lebanese architect renowned for being among the pioneers who introduced modern architecture to Lebanon, launched his architectural firm alongside other celebrated men in the field who include Gregoire Serof, Khalil Khoury, Nicolas Bekhazi and others.
His major achievements include, Spiro Hayek Building in Achrafieh (1956), Diab Twin Residential Buildings in Bhamdoun (1958), Al Biyada Chalet Complex in Qanat Bakich (1970), Chez Michel Restaurant in Faqra (1995), Abdel Massih Villa in Beit Mery (1990), Notre Dame of Younbou' in Bauchrieh (1967), Al Nahr Restaurant in Baskinta (1970), Echmoun Building, Achrafieh (1975), and Saint Michel Church in Baskinta (1992) etc. |
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SPIRO HAYEK BUILDING
ACHRAFIEH - MOUNT LEBANON
Architect Georges Haddad designed the Spiro Hayek building while he was still a student at the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts ( permit signed by an older schoolmate who had just graduated ). The entrance open to the sidewalk, separated from the garage pilotis by a stone wall, the staircase bathed with light, and the cantilevered canopy held by stay-rods, make of this part of the building a distinguished feature, tempering the otherwise rigorous architecture. The prominent balconies of the bedroom facade are inspired by the Bauhaus school, giving the façade a unique look. Patio doors are used for the bedroom balconies, while using bay windows for the living rooms façade, to allow maximum of light.
VILLA JAMIL HADDAD
BASKINTA - MOUNT LEBANON
Built in the 1990s, this villa is located in Baskinta, on the flank of a hill. Since the village in question is characerised by a green landscape and the variety of its stones, the architect was able to utilize natural stone in conjunction with concrete, with the intent of ideally integrating the villa into the landscape. The volumes of the edifice are crossed in a simple dynamic composition, and the openings of the dwelling are simple geometric shapes.
VILLA ABDEL MASSIH
BEIT MERI - MOUNT LEBANON
In taking into account the sheer beauty of the site, in the green village of Beit Mery, the architect has chosen to utilize large curtain walls from which sea and capital can be seen in the distance.
A plain functional architecture which nonetheless retains a dinamic apearence through the use of different materials such as concrete, metalic tubes, and stone in its different forms. The pool, dominant, seems to hover in the air, due to its overhanging stance and aerodynamic shape. It sits attop a concrete mass which serves the purpose of pool technical room. Elsewhere, a decorative water work is created on the terrass, with a concrete basin above which passes a small arched bridge
A plain functional architecture which nonetheless retains a dinamic apearence through the use of different materials such as concrete, metalic tubes, and stone in its different forms. The pool, dominant, seems to hover in the air, due to its overhanging stance and aerodynamic shape. It sits attop a concrete mass which serves the purpose of pool technical room. Elsewhere, a decorative water work is created on the terrass, with a concrete basin above which passes a small arched bridge
SAINT MICHEL MONASTERY
BASKINTA - MOUNT LEBANON
The project was to increase the size of an old church, in a modern way... the challenge was accepted by the architect who was able to introduce the spirit of modernity all the while conserving the characteristic elements of byzantine architecture, such as the domed roof. He managed to revisit the dome in a modern style, by utilizing stained glass, thereby introducing light from above. Arches form the periphery of the dome from within, and leaning walls are conceived on both sides of the altar.
A large terrass surrounds the church and overlooks the village. It is supported from all sides by flanks of rugged concrete, which allow for people to gather before and after ceremonies, all the while serving as an enclosure. Finally, a large concrete parasol, traversed by a tree, covers part of the sunny terrass. It sits attop a single pillar, thereby freeing the space around it.
A large terrass surrounds the church and overlooks the village. It is supported from all sides by flanks of rugged concrete, which allow for people to gather before and after ceremonies, all the while serving as an enclosure. Finally, a large concrete parasol, traversed by a tree, covers part of the sunny terrass. It sits attop a single pillar, thereby freeing the space around it.
HOUSING PROJECT
BHAMDOUN - MOUNT LEBANON
This housing project, consisting of two blocks with several stories, embraces the slope of its terrain. In order to struggle visually against the slope it's self, the architect conceived of a leaning wall, thereby creating a kind of opposition to the natural slope. A modern minimalistic architecture was exercised in the merging of different materials such as concrete and natural stone. A coordinated composition of concrete shapes, succeeds in defeating the horizontality of the inferior block's terrace. This terrace performs a useful spacial function for the superior block.
OUR LADY OF YOUNBOUU CHURCH
DEKWENEH - MOUNT LEBANON
Constructed in 1965, the church is comprised of, in addition to the chapel it's self, reception offices, a waiting room, a small refecory, and a kitchen. The building is of concrete, cladded both outside and inside with white cement plaster. A fence of locally extracted sand stones stood upright, surrounds the chapel and isolates it from surrounding buildings. The construction being primarily a place of prayer, the shape of its frame evokes a vertical momentum directed towards the heavens. The dual notions of the sealed and the opened, dictate the relationship between the religious and the world. The first is ensured by the barrier, the second by the presence of the building amid a residential area. A great simplicity of form and a subtle use of materials, provide this church with a dignity which inspires meditation.
RESTAURANT AL NAHR
BASKINTA - MOUNT LEBANON
The Architect has encouraged his friend the restaurateur, native from Baskinta, to import and cultivate trout. From there was born the architectural concept which consists primarily of the creation[C1] [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5] [C6] [C7] [C8] [C9] of a vast floating slab above the trout cultivation tanks. Within the slab were perforated several large circular openimgs which permit the visitor to see the trout swimming.
Within the closed section of the restaurant, which is consecrated for winter time, a tree traverses the room by piercing through both floor and ceiling, and extending upwards towards the sky, allowing natural light to penetrate the room, and creating a whimsical atmosphere. A cental conic chimney of hand beaten copper adds to the warm authentic ambiance.
Within the closed section of the restaurant, which is consecrated for winter time, a tree traverses the room by piercing through both floor and ceiling, and extending upwards towards the sky, allowing natural light to penetrate the room, and creating a whimsical atmosphere. A cental conic chimney of hand beaten copper adds to the warm authentic ambiance.
AL BIYADA (for sale)
QANAT BAKICH - BASKINTA - MOUNT LEBANON
A complex of 58 chalets has been conceived by Georges Haddad at the end of the sixties at Qanat Bakish, near the ski slopes. The project was interrupted by the war in 1975, leaving an intact concrete structure which was able to withstand the weather and the swings in climate. Typically modern architecture, the shapes are simultaneously minimalist and dynamic, with large bas-reliefs which decorate one façade of each chalet.
