Harbour Square
Beirut, Lebanon | 2011
SSitting in the heart of downtown Beirut, Harbour Square provides a calm space: a respite from the surrounding urban district. Gustafson Porter + Bowman’s concept conceives the square as a reinterpretation of a traditional harbour, providing shelter to users from the surrounding urban districts. While water and paving establish this metaphor, the spatial organisation of the site builds on this idea with broad, sweeping design gestures and the detailed treatment of materials used.
Repositioned within the square is the old harbour wall which acts as an important sculptural and historic focal point. Partly surrounded by water to resonate with its original function, the wall supports a large canopy made from vertical and inclined steel plates that take their inspiration from an ancient Arabian pattern. It appears to ‘float’ over the water, recalling the historic mooring of boats, while the materials used throughout the scheme have varied patterns, textures and colours which reflect the history of artisan crafts and traded goods in Beirut. Furthermore, trees line and enclose the square to soften the space.
“Our design conceives of the square as a reinterpretation of Beirut’s historic harbours.
It provides a calm space which acts as a respite to the surrounding urban district.”
