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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. TheLoveTriangle Gallery in Baabdat, LebanonJune 11th, 2019 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: The love triangle Design collective TheLoveTriangle has designed and completed its off-grid pavilion in Baabdat, Lebanon, to provide its members with a space for experimentation, exhibitions and art residencies. The pavilion sits in a site that was historically used for agricultural purposes. It features stone terraces gently following the slope, abandoned stone structures, a molasses press, a small water creek as well as a 400-year-old oak tree collectively owned by one of the village's families. A narrow gravel road runs through the terrain and connects the different structures together and to the main road.  Southern elevation, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily
 Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily The aim was to create a peaceful space, a gesture, not competing with the surrounding landscape. Therefore, the design of the pavilion was stripped down to a pure and primitive architectural form: A rectangle of 96 sqm, discreetly nested in a clearing between the pine trees. The open plan, flat-roofed structure is reminiscent of the traditional and modest stone construction typical of Mount Lebanon prior to the introduction of more complex design elements in the midnineteenth century (I.e. Central hall, arcades, pitched roof etc. Speculatively attributed to a Tuscan influence) and features a simple metallic ladder on one of its facades.  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily The existing retaining stone walls had to be reinforced to be used as foundation, and in order not to disturb the natural setting, the construction was mostly off-site. Four Pre-cast concrete modules were lifted over the trees with a mobile high-boom crane to their final position. The resulting modular open plan gives full flexibility for interior installations, and large glass windows frame the landscape. Reciprocally, the interior spaces are framed from the outside, creating intertwined exterior-interior opportunities.  Contextual view, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily The structure is oriented on an exact North-South axis, ensuring that in the warmer summer days, sunlight is filtered through the surrounding trees, keeping the space cool and resulting in a particular shadow play of branches and leaves. In the colder winter season, the sun's path -now tilted on a more southern trajectory-brings natural light and warmth through the length of the space from the more exposed southern facade.  Exterior service path, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Contextual view, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily It is conceived that the pavilion will be completely off-grid and will not depend on any form of energy consumption (electric power, heating etc.). The aim is to experiment with the space with what it has to offer, taking advantage of the natural light and the natural elements to create any experience or installation. However, an infrastructure of power outlets and electric connections is in place in the floor, which could be used by artists or exhibitors if they wish to bring and connect their own renewable energy source. TheLoveTriangle pavilion will be inaugurated on the 2nd of July during Beirut Design Week and will host the latest research work of the collective entitled “Anonima Plastica”.  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Pre-noon natural light, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Morning natural light, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Anonima Plastica preview, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Anonima Plastica preview, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Morning natural light, Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Image Courtesy © Rana Rmeily  Image Courtesy © The love triangle  Image Courtesy © The love triangle  Image Courtesy © The love triangle
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