Unearthing the lost elements of Tripoli, the project seeks to preserve the essence of Barsbay Tower, the last standing medieval tower in the city, through both grand and subtle interventions. A hidden tunnel, tracing the path of forgotten train tracks, leads to the building.
The tunnel opens into an entrance hall with backlit glass walls, where shadow theater plays intertwine and blur. It guides visitors to the vaulted hall within Barsbay Tower, revealing a concealed water tank. The building itself becomes an exhibit, dimly lit, with light streaming through narrow arrow slits.
As visitors ascend towards the first floor, the light gradually brightens until they reach the first hall, that portrays the building as a time capsule featuring the “صندوق الفرجة” or “wonder box.” This miniature cinema box, viewed through a peephole, is integrated into the vaults, showcasing forgotten memories of Tripolitans archived by the Arab Image Foundation.