Lebanon Through a Design Lens
Beirut is Lebanon’s capital city and its cityscape is like an onion. Each layer peels back another story of the inhabitants before. Even to this day, ruins are being unearthed. Beirut has been rebuilt many times, and the scars are visible with bullet-holed buildings (the infamous Wyndham Hotel) contrasted by modern architectural marvels like the Beirut Terraces. The former downtown Souk now resembles Monaco-style shopping promenades that were built to be the playground for the Middle East elite.
The transformation of the city and its focus on design is visible through its exteriors and beautiful interiors with impeccable attention to detail. One of my favorite architectural design features is the three-arched stained glass windows that you can commonly spot on many traditional homes and buildings. After moving there, I often explored the city on foot and always found something new to be in awe of. On almost every walk, I would discover a museum or an art gallery so I quickly realized that Lebanon boasts a thriving art and design community.
Arthaus Beirut
A dreamy example of Lebanese art and design is Arthaus Beirut, a stylish boutique hotel with an incredible art collection and interior design. Its center room with vaulted ceilings is customary of Lebanese buildings and provides a grand entrance to guests entering the hotel.
In the newly designed gallery, the owners procure a rotating art exhibition, while the whole property is decorated with art from the lobby to the beautifully appointed rooms. It has a lively social scene as they often host musicians and it makes for a great spot for an afternoon lunch or dinner on the terrace. The owners are currently starting a new venture in the south of the country, C by Arthaus, and I’m looking forward to seeing that take shape in Tyre.
Beit Kanz
Beit Kanz, a part of Beit Al Baraka Non-Profit, is a fantastic new cultural hub that features products, food, and Lebanese culture, down the street from the famed Sursock Museum. Make an afternoon out of visiting both the museum and Beit Kanz, within a few short blocks in the tree-lined streets, and walk down the St Nicholas Stairs that connect you to the trendy Gemmayze neighborhood - right by Arthaus. The bottom of the stair has my favorite boutique Hotel Lost with the tiniest bustling lobby bar that always spills out into the streets with a fun social crowd.
Musee Henry
Located just outside of the small beach town of Batroun, Musee Henry is a house and cultural museum opened in 2021, which was made from 100 houses demolished in Beirut. The collection houses design elements and pieces of the house, photos through the three-story house by Lebanese collector Henry Loussian. Rooms are dripping with chandeliers with archways leading to you another discovery of traditional Lebanese décor.
Bokja Design
Bokja Design was founded by two women with the same passion for design and textiles. The collective of designers with a focus on tolerance and inclusion. From the very start, “the company was sustainably focused with zero-waste policy, empowerment of regional craft and community while dealing with topics from ecological narratives to women power.” I love that about the company beyond the stunning craftsmanship and products from furniture to clothing.
Travel to Lebanon to experience its art & design
There are many more designers and craftsmen and women throughout the region but these examples are but a glimpse at the vibrant and interconnected arts community there. We’ll be weaving these into the itinerary for the Lebanon group trip from September 1-9, so please join us and experience it for yourself. More details about the group trip can be found here.
