On a tight budge, new-york firm nARCHITECTS gives ABC, dbayeh, beirut's most prominent department store, a facelift worthy of the high fashion merchandise within. based on the company's logo, a laser cut aluminum screen envelops the existing 200,000 sf building, inverse cut-outs adorn the facades of the three-volume 250,000 sf addition.
The theme reduces construction waste, while simultaneously reducing operational costs, as the light-colored metal skin reduces solar heat gain. refining project's proportions, the form shifts as it ascends the inclined site, and glazed displays and entrances respect the scale of the user. at the west facade 217ft long expanse designates space for a dramatic light installation to be experienced both by pedestrians and those traveling on the adjacent highway.
Above, a large picture window allows passersby glimpses into the cafe, while diners can peer through the facade, framing views of the nearby mediterranean sea. a place to see and be seen, the ensemble successfully transforms the 1980s construction into a spectacle of light and texture.