Over the decades, Lebanon has birthed many successful architects and designers. It’s not hard to see how they were inspired while growing up.
Many unfinished architectural works, abandoned since the civil war, leave the imagination roaming.
The contrast of massive construction projects in the middle of war-torn cities – new buildings rising next to old ones – is astounding.
High-end and modern cityscapes
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rami Rizk (@ramirizk) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rami Rizk (@ramirizk) on
Quaint authentic towns
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rami Rizk (@ramirizk) on
They seem rather hoity-toity in contrast to the “lived-in” parts of the city.
View this post on InstagramWandering in the streets of #livelovetripoli by @whoisbutterfly #fromtripoliwithโฅ๏ธ
A post shared by Live Love Tripoli (@livelove_tripoli) on
But architects dream of a better place so the futuristic designs continue.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ARCHITECTURE (@livelovearchitecture) on
It’s all in the details!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Raja Zakhour (@rajazakhour) on
Like these unique symmetrical balconies
View this post on InstagramStraight facade ๐ง#Beirut#shotoniphone#architecture
A post shared by Karl Mansour (@karliseverywhere) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by โ๐๐ท๐ฆ๐ณ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ช๐น ๐โLebanon ๐ฑ๐ง (@over_the_phoenix_rainbow_) on
And buildings of interesting shapes and sizes
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jay Khawand (@jaykhawand) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ARCHITECTURE (@livelovearchitecture) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Alexander Doronin (@lisiy_demon) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ARCHITECTURE (@livelovearchitecture) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Yammine ูู ููู (@un.architecte.a.beyrouth) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Simon Balsom (@beirut.cyclist) on
Perhaps even giving you a taste of vintage elegance
View this post on InstagramCharming Beirut ๐โจ #Beirut#shotoniphone#iamatraveler
A post shared by Karl Mansour (@karliseverywhere) on
And made with religious influence…
Even bizarre homes that are out of this world…
View this post on Instagram๐๐ท ๐ช ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ ๐ฐ #TheJallouls #August2019
A post shared by ๐ง ููููููุฑ (@nourberro.me) on
The contrast
View this post on InstagramBeirut! a city full of contrasts ๐ #Beirut#shotoniphone#iamatraveler
A post shared by Karl Mansour (@karliseverywhere) on
The contrast between old and new, traditional and futuristic, dreamlike vs the diversity of industrial, authentic vs. imaginative, all make Lebanon a very special place; a fascinating rhapsody.