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#PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS

souks entertainment center by AKK architects, caï light + valode et pistre architects

the ‘souks entertainment center’ is located in the northern reaches of the old souks of beirut, lebanon.

originally a reconstruction project, caï light, valode et pistre architects and annabel karim kassar architects (AKK) were declared joint winners in a 1993 competition by solidere to complete the building.

eleven years after the competition, the project was relaunched. since more than a decade had passed, the program had to be rethought to respond to current needs. the reimagined ‘souks entertainment center’ contains 14 movie theaters, as well as food courts, retail centers, offices, and a ‘mega’ store space.

the main volume, which acts as the face of the structure, is composed of metal golden ribbons that wrap around in a north-south orientation. together they generate a dynamic sculptural form that gives the center a dynamic image.

in order to emphasize the image of the project, caï light (AKK’s sister company founded by christophe hascoet, annabel karim kassar, and isabelle rolland), transformed the façade into a moving light texture. 5,000 LED polycarbonate modules (brilliant model) were embedded within the structure. when in use, the structure becomes a luminous, shifting texture that switches colors and patterns throughout the evening and night.

moving texture due to LED lights

Details

  • Beirut, Lebanon
  • annabel karim kassar architects