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Hamra Beirut

Residential Tower in Beirut's thriving city quarter Hamra.

This high-rise residential building is designed for the heart of Beirut featuring high-end flats and penthouses with views over the city and the sea on 22 floors. The building shape is driven by the site’s shape and the desire to maximize daylight in the flats and on the balconies. More valuable residential area is created by expanding the floor plates in the middle of the building.

The overall shape resembles a pine cone and refers to Lebanon’s national symbol – the pine tree. Similar to a pine cone, the convex bulges of the balconies undulate from floor to floor and minimize self-shading of the balconies.

A giant arch spans from one side of the building to the other. It form the main structural support but also the tip of the shape, the characteristic landmark. The orientation of the arch creates a surface that follows the sun path over the day. Clad in solar panels it contributes to the energy used in the building. At the same time it shades the roof terrace with its pool and restaurant. The design was set up parametrically to test many different options in terms of the their shape, floor area and efficiency.

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