In the observatory, visitors place pins on maps to trace their daily path from home to work, mapping the bus routes that they can rely on. In exchange for this fun activity, they receive a free coupon for the journey ahead. (Credit: Rayanne Tawil)
Beit Beirut is a building that once bore witness to the sniper’s gaze and now houses the city’s collective memory. On its top floor, there is a room with a view not of the skyline, but of what could be possible: Marsad (The Architecture and City Observatory) is a space dedicated to architects, urbanists and activists reclaiming the conversation around Beirut’s built environment.For decades, urban discourse in Lebanon has been buried in the drawers of consultancy firms or confined to university syllabi. Now, Marsad opens those drawers wide.“Usually, when we want to do such studies in the area, we need to head to the Order of Engineers and Arhcitects or museums,” said Hala Younes, architect and co-founder of the observatory. “But now we have a space, a reservoir, like headquarters, we can work from and have all the information we...
Beit Beirut is a building that once bore witness to the sniper’s gaze and now houses the city’s collective memory. On its top floor, there is a room with a view not of the skyline, but of what could be possible: Marsad (The Architecture and City Observatory) is a space dedicated to architects, urbanists and activists reclaiming the conversation around Beirut’s built environment.For decades, urban discourse in Lebanon has been buried in the drawers of consultancy firms or confined to university syllabi. Now, Marsad opens those drawers wide.“Usually, when we want to do such studies in the area, we need to head to the Order of Engineers and Arhcitects or museums,” said Hala Younes, architect and co-founder of the observatory. “But now we have a space, a reservoir, like headquarters, we can work from and have all the information...