This architecture design studio offers students a unique opportunity to engage with the complex challenges of urban revitalization through the lens of architectural innovation. Focusing on the historic city of Byblos, Lebanon, students will confront the pressing issue of declining vitality and cultural stagnation, particularly among the youth population. Byblos, once a thriving hub of commerce and culture, has gradually succumbed to a pattern of transient tourism, with visitors merely passing through rather than actively engaging with the city’s rich heritage.
The studio project seeks to disrupt this narrative by proposing a bold intervention: the creation of youth-centric hostels seamlessly integrated with vibrant craftsmanship workshops. Recognizing the potential of youth as catalysts for change, students will explore how architecture can serve as a catalyst for revitalization, fostering creativity, community, and cultural exchange.
The course begins with an immersive exploration of Byblos’s historical, social, and architectural context. Through site visits, archival research, and interviews with local residents and stakeholders, students will gain insight into the city’s past, present, and future aspirations. Each student group will be tasked with selecting one of the seven designated lots within Byblos, initiating a deep dive into site analysis and contextual understanding.