Bronze Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2019
Extension of Identity Villa
- A' Design Award 2019 Bronze Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2019
- CLIENT: Paseo Architecture
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 20,341
- Verification code 4251FF5AAA · Verify this award
About Extension of Identity Villa
Identity Villa is set on a small plot with lots of constrains,it is an experiment for modern extensions,to express the spirit and characteristics of the old building with modern language. The concept is to strongly and obviously separate yet link the extension from the existing structure. The imperfection of craftsmanship and the way people circulate and interact with the old house should be echoed in the new addition,answering the modern lifestyle needs. The resulting villa holds the identity of the past with modern language. It holds new approaches and different perspectives for extensions.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This design is an extension to an old Mount Lebanon house. It speaks to the old house using new language and materials yet sensitive to the elements of time and workmanship that characterizes old houses. This villa has the same spirit of the old house circulation identified in the cantilevered stairs that connects the ground floor to the first floor, but uses modern material (Steel & Wood). The hierarchy of the entrance respected but presented through the void space pointing to the entrance. The imperfections in workmanship of the natural stone with rough cut used in the extension echo those of the old house.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The plot dimension is 474 sqm, The old building is 95sqm and the new extension overall is 140sqm ground floor 52sqm and first floor 88sqm.
- Tags
- Identity, Extension, Architecture, creativity, stone villas, new Extensions, modern extension
- Production Technology
- The materials used are Stone and wood. The stone is treated as one block and fixed smooth as naturally cut with no joints to have the effect of one huge rock contrasting the old stone type that is rough and full of joints. The Architect left the stone imperfect, echoing the imperfection of craftsman ship in the house in the existing part.
The circulation was cladded with wood, to be emphasized from the rest of the functions and to recall the importance of the circulation in old village houses. - Design Challenge
- The plot size, with the municipality rules, with the requirements of the owner, were the hardest part concerning the program. The toughest part of the design part was to create the best scenario that applies our vision, the historical evolution and the program, and then convince the owner with this scenario specially that the design is bold to the school of thought in the village and the approaches to extensions
- Project Duration
- The design started in 2015 in Paseo Architecture office and it was constructed in the years 2016, 2017 in AinBal El shouf, MountLebanon, Lebanon, as it was delivered in the april 2018.
- Operation Flow
- The owners as well as the visitors felt the concept and were able to communicate with their nostalgia of the old village mount Lebanon house, As well as they felt the identity even though they did not know the concept.
- Research
- Designing extension to an old building in a village of Mount Lebanon and intending to have a bold, contrasting, yet sensitive and humble design to make the existing stand out was the Architect main design concern. His team studied the extensions that was done to the existing building and then they studied the history of the village and its development. After research they discovered that the existing building has already been twice added, both extensions had different methods of construction, and different materials but all of the extensions preserved the same approach. The Architect concluded that the extension should respect and preserve the old approach, at the same time should have different texture even if the same material was used. As well as this extension should become part of the extensions by answering the needs and the objectives of the owner and history and their concept for design and that is to have a space that tells a story.
- Inspiration
- The existing building was built in 1852,in 1943 the first extension was done,it had different structure style but same material,in 1980 another extension was done that differed in structure,style and material.When the architect Tarek Ibrahim first visited the site,he was asked to propose a big extension of the house on a small plot.He noticed that the old and strong approach to the house separates two mediums which are the garden and the house,he kept the same separation but this time separating the existing from the extension
- Image Credits
- Bahaa Al Ghoussieny
Colors of Extension of Identity Villa
Design Interview about Extension of Identity Villa
The History of the existing building, its approach and the surrounding pushed me to design a bold yet sensitive design, I want my design to respect the old building and for future generations not to be honest to the design language that each building was built in.
My main focus was to propose a new school for extensions in our society. Taking into consideration the beauty and the characteristics of the old buildings, yet to identify the old from the new, and I think I was able to achieve a modern extension holding the genes of its ancestors.
In My own opinion every person from his own career has to make the quality of living for human being a better place, this reputable prestigious Award is very important to prove that you are doing so. After this Award I will just keep exploring and experimenting in Architecture to make spaces and stories in architecture that will make a higher standard for living and leave history for our coming generations as what our ancestors did..
After knowing the owners way of life and their thoughts, and after visiting the site the factors and concept the concept was almost there. So it was like a Matter of Month of understanding the clients and the plot.
Yes it was commissioned, and I saw a great opportunity to apply my concept of extensions.
Every designer has a particular story with his history and to become part of the history is the greatest achievement a men can do. So what about adding value to history or a story it is a dream coming true.
yes, The Spanish school of though in Architecture and dealing with heritage is my influence.
It is Bold yet Sensitive
I came out with name of the villa from the Intention I wanted to appeal in the design.
The most Unique aspect of the design is the power of boldness in design yet sensitivity in the approach to the past, and how can a building hold its heritage identity hidden in an international language.
The question of engineering and weather the old building consisting of stone will hold the weight of concrete above it during the process of building.
I thought that the outcome deserves to be evaluated on an international level.