Zeytouneh Square

Beirut, Lebanon | 2012

Situated at the Western end of Shoreline Walk, Zeytouneh Square celebrates modern Beirut. Gustafson Porter + Bowman’s design uses the land’s existing topography to create an informal amphitheatre for hosting events. The choice of bold, geometric paving marks changes in the contours of the landscape and references the black and white patterning found in traditional Lebanese architecture.

Specially designed benches are placed in shaded locations under Bauhinia trees, while water channels and fountains offer the cooling sound of running water. At the base of the trees a pool gently flows towards the North edge. Water spills over in a long cascade, signalling the entrance to the square, and a wide stone bridge crosses the lower pool, leading to terraces with a subtle ramp of angled geometry that distorts and increases the size of the space. Each terrace provides a platform for activities such as markets, concerts, film and festivals against a panoramic view of the Shoreline gardens and the evolving city skyline.

“Our design for Zeytouneh Square celebrates modern Beirut. It creates a large public space which references traditional Lebanese architecture within a modern, vibrant and energetic scheme which makes use of water features and the natural topography of the land.”

— Eduardo Carranza, Partner

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