Garden of Forgiveness

Beirut, Lebanon | 2000-2006 | On hold

The winning entry for an international design competition supporting Beirut’s re-emergence from the 1975‒1990 Civil War, Garden of Forgiveness represents the City’s past, present, and future. Following in the tradition of the ‘paradise garden’, its calm, uplifting design creates a place for solitary reflection and togetherness.

In responding to its historical context, Garden of Forgiveness integrates the archaeological Hellenistic, Roman and Medieval heritage of a city which has been destroyed and rebuilt many times in its 5,000-year history. Neighbouring mosques and churches provide a visual backdrop for this new meeting place for divided communities, while scaled references to Lebanon’s landscape and cultural heritage are brought together by rich flora and natural features. The result is the creation of a contemporary, multi-use landscape that reflects the vibrant city which surrounds it.

Courtesy of Land Securities
“This is one of the most moving projects I have ever worked on. One park will not change the world, but you might change a nanosecond of someone’s thinking - and that accumulates.”
— Kathryn Gustafson, Founding Partner

Lebanon’s Garden of Forgiveness is a work in progress conceived by British-Lebanese citizen and psychotherapist Alexandra Asseily. It aims to nurture peace and healing in a country still recovering from a 15-year civil war of religious factions. But the garden has been beset by delays. In 2013, Asseily hosted a ceremony near the garden, bringing together people from all religious backgrounds to celebrate their common beliefs.

Awards

2005 Commended Urban Project Unbuilt, RIBA Urban Space By Design Awards