Rethinking Solidere: Reviving Etoile

john2890 · November 24th, 2009, 05:51 AM

Hi everyone! Some people will think this is crazy.. but i hope some of you will agree slightly :P ! tell me what you think!

I think it would be fair to say that Solidere isnt as successful as it was hoped to be. It looks alright i suppose, but it is a pretty dead area most of the time.

I personally think that it is mainly because of the patch-work urban design that was caused by the ancient ruins. It is obviouse simply by looking at an areal view of solidere than the city is not "complete" ! not only from an areal view, but also by being there on ground level, the open spaces where the ruins are located ruin the urban form and kill pedestriansation.

The only way it can be retransformed into an urban core is by completing the etoile shape:

1- YES! we'll build over the ruins

. Having a Garden of Forgiveness "park" (if you can call it that) right beside a large public square is not logical and bad urban planning. Public squares should be fully defined areas with buildings on all sides.
The Garden of Forgiveness will off course remain as an underground museum to showcase the ruins. but buildings will be built into the star form OVER the ruins.
On ground level the new buildings will look normal and integrated. The only extra addition to the regular streescape will be glass windows on the floor looking down into the ruins underground. We can have them wherever needed. here are some examples:

2- The two churches on Etoile should be rearranged so that they fit into the star form.

3- Trees should be planted where neccessary. not stupid palm trees. but large/wide decidiouse Plane Trees or Sycamore Trees which are seasonal: Green in summer so they filter out the sunlight giving shade to pedestrians. leafless in winter to warm up pedestrians when sun shines through.
in autumn the streets will be covered in leaves

and spring full of flowers.. Trees will encourage people to spend time outside, and will lower the temperature during summer so even during the day people can be around.

Plane/Sycamore Trees are VERY fast growing. about 2 meters per year! so we'll have "mature looking" streets in about 5 years!

lebnani · November 24th, 2009, 06:32 AM

Who are you! AND how can I get you hired for Solidere!

Joe.KL · November 24th, 2009, 11:52 AM

Building over the ruins is very famous in countries like Greece, where ground floors are made as museums and then the building picks up normally.
And it is a good idea, but not for garden of heavens, because it really is a big area!
And i believe we already damaged our ruins beyond repair.. So we should openly display the little that remained.
Keeping in mind that there will be Much less open space after DT is completed, and all parts of downtown joined together.

john2890 · November 24th, 2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe.KL

And i believe we already damaged our ruins beyond repair.. So we should openly display the little that remained.

yep! they are damaged beyond repair. mostly by human intervention, but also cause of weather damage. If we have the entire area as one large super-modern underground museum (with only some pillars as foundation for the new buildings above) the temperature/moisture etc.. conditions could be maintained so that the stone/mosaics whatever can be preserved. We'll be doing the ruins a favor as well as offcourse doing the city and beirutis a favor too!

if complete the star shape, that will create 2 large avenues linking up etoile and martyr which will encourage te flow of people! and that is the answer to DT's problem: lack of people.

didnt know about underground museums in greece though. Can't believe they stole my idea :P but thanks for the info.

john2890 · November 24th, 2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lebnani

Who are you! AND how can I get you hired for Solidere!

lol that would be my dream come true! i'm john, used to post here alot but have been very busy moving out the past year havnt come on very often.. still kinda busy, but i have so many lebanon plans which i'd like to show you guys once finished

LeB.Fr · November 24th, 2009, 02:45 PM

Yeeey more dream projects to come!

ainmreisiot · November 24th, 2009, 03:20 PM

Don't really agree, John.

The Garden of Forgiveness would be an intervening space that should actually encourage pedestrian activity. It will offer a very different experience to what is currently on offer in the center, in that it will offer a mix of greenery and history, with no commerce. The plans include a little information center built into the walls, which should attract the curious. And the only way to experience it will be on foot. If completed as originally planned, people will even have a footbridge from where the Nouriyeh chapel is over to Martyrs Square, though if one is not built they will presumably be able to cross the Garden in different directions.
More, having a garden flowing off a square might be a problem if we were talking about spaces the scale of Tiananmen or Red squares. Then you'd just have empty space bleeding into more empty space. But if Martyrs Square is built up as planned it will actually be long but narrow - as narrow as before. Moreover, the buildings on the Saifi side will be about as high as the Saifi II building, and will contain a two-storey stone arcade like we have on Maarad. That should nicely frame at least that side of the Square and draw pedestrians in as they'd have a shaded, and presumably attractive pathway along what is now simply an empty lot.

From an urban planning / space creating standpoint I'd rather see some kind of arcade built up on the Martyrs Square side of Rafic Hariri's and his companions' burial plot. Leaving it completely undefined weakens the space. An arcade would leave it open to the Square, while framing the Square at the same time (and completing the al-Amin Mosque arcade).

When it comes to the open side leading to the sea: I've always found it a difficult question. Like with the Rafic Hariri burial plot, leaving it completely open weakens the square (though Prague has a very long square too, if I remember, and still very attractive). But it creates a sea view people have long asked for. Not clear to me, as I like the idea of a strongly defined central space, but also like the idea of a view to the harbor and its activity, the new district, and the sea beyond.

ainmreisiot · November 24th, 2009, 03:53 PM

Moving away from formalistic design arguments, I think the real problem with life in the city center is that people still don't really live there. There are many residential developments, but for the most part they are either not complete, not fully occupied, or not occupied by people who live in them year round (as opposed to having them as summer residences, or as a home in Beirut for when they return to visit or eventually return to retire).

The flow across Martyrs Square will likely change dramatically once all of the empty space on the Saifi side is developed and the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs building is built (not to mention the Phoenician Village - oversized in my opinion but probably an activity magnet). If the Foreign Ministry is actually built, and CMA CGM overcomes its cash flow problems and does indeed finish and occupy its building, there will be people there in the daytime who might want to go out for a coffee or lunch.

The real problem with pedestrian life in the center, in my opinion, is the ring road. Whether you're trying to cross over from the Ashrafiyeh side, or the Ras Beirut side, the traffic is fast, heavy, and not everyone stops at the lights. Not a pleasant experience, and kind of a barrier reinforcing the separation of downtown from the rest of the city.

john2890 · November 24th, 2009, 05:29 PM

By "arcade" do you mean an arched wall that stretches from the al-Amin mosque to Virgin store? arched wall

or a building with arcades on its ground floor? (torino)

either case would be a good compromise i think. Though it really wont be the ideal.
Or how about a monumental entrance linking etoile and martyr? Brandenburg Gate

You're so right about the Ring road. It does act as a barrier, turning Solidere into a seemingly remote island, at least thats what it feels like. They should never have turned Charles Malek avenue into a high speed motorway, and building overpasses and bridges. It should have been made into a tree-lined / wide-pavement avenue. (Infact i personaly think that all the bridges built inside the city limits are a big mistake. )

As for Martyr square itself, its narrow (width about the same as the champs elysee) and thats why i think it would be silly to leave it open on the north side. that will make the "square" look and feel like a road. Martyr should finish at Bab Idriss. I tried to show that in the map (with whatever pathetic computer skills i have

)
Besides even if left open, it will not actually look out onto the sea, but instead onto the new solidere development.

Joe.KL · November 24th, 2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john2890

from the al-Amin mosque to Virgin store

There's a building there

ainmreisiot · November 24th, 2009, 06:49 PM

It wouldn't stretch all the way from Virgin, because right next to Virgin they're already working on the Beirut Gardens building: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=399294 Originally there was to have been another building, between Beirut Gardens and the mosque,that would have closed off that edge of the square. There was to have been spacing between the buildings, almost in the form of short alleys, that would have joined the Square to the Garden. But after Hariri's murder and the decision to bury him next to the mosque, the plot between Beirut Gardens and the Mosque was designated an open area. So it's just the burial plot whose Martyrs Square edge, I think, would best be delineated with some kind of arcaded or otherwise porous barrier. I'd think it would help mark the Square while at the same time partly shield the burial place.

You're right, leaving the end of Martyrs Square open would not leave a view to the sea. But it would leave the view open to the First Harbor of the port and whatever cruise ship or other activity it will cater to, to the second marina behind it, and then to the buildings at the edge of the landfill. Not bad if it works, but maybe you could partially close off the end of Martyrs Square, to leave a wide 'gate' in the middle as a kind of viewing corridor. Actually, given that they had plans (don't know if I'll see them built in my lifetime, at the pace Martyrs Square, the Garden of Forgiveness, etc are progressing) for a museum right in front of the An Nahar building, whose superstructure in the concept drawings is of glass, they are indeed contemplating closing off a bit of that end...

Re Charles Malek: I fault Solidere for widening it rather than knocking the original elevated road down and building a surface road (or, to dream, digging a tunnel, with an avenue open to slower traffic on top). But the bridge was already there: it goes back to before Solidere's time. But it's always bothered me too. Like you, I can't stand elevated highways in the middle of a city, and I think the bridges being built on the way up north are horrendous, given the number of apartment buildings that have sprung up in Antelias etc. I'm a big fan of Boston's 'Big Dig,' however expensive it was: http://www.boston.com/beyond_bigdig/

Really like the models you're putting up. I'd like to see that idea you had for extending the landfill along the mole!

November 24th, 2009, 05:51 AM	#1
john2890 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London/Beirut Posts: 449	Rethinking Solidere: Reviving Etoile Hi everyone! Some people will think this is crazy.. but i hope some of you will agree slightly :P ! tell me what you think! I think it would be fair to say that Solidere isnt as successful as it was hoped to be. It looks alright i suppose, but it is a pretty dead area most of the time. I personally think that it is mainly because of the patch-work urban design that was caused by the ancient ruins. It is obviouse simply by looking at an areal view of solidere than the city is not "complete" ! not only from an areal view, but also by being there on ground level, the open spaces where the ruins are located ruin the urban form and kill pedestriansation. The only way it can be retransformed into an urban core is by completing the etoile shape: 1- YES! we'll build over the ruins . Having a Garden of Forgiveness "park" (if you can call it that) right beside a large public square is not logical and bad urban planning. Public squares should be fully defined areas with buildings on all sides. The Garden of Forgiveness will off course remain as an underground museum to showcase the ruins. but buildings will be built into the star form OVER the ruins. On ground level the new buildings will look normal and integrated. The only extra addition to the regular streescape will be glass windows on the floor looking down into the ruins underground. We can have them wherever needed. here are some examples: 2- The two churches on Etoile should be rearranged so that they fit into the star form. 3- Trees should be planted where neccessary. not stupid palm trees. but large/wide decidiouse Plane Trees or Sycamore Trees which are seasonal: Green in summer so they filter out the sunlight giving shade to pedestrians. leafless in winter to warm up pedestrians when sun shines through. in autumn the streets will be covered in leaves and spring full of flowers.. Trees will encourage people to spend time outside, and will lower the temperature during summer so even during the day people can be around. Plane/Sycamore Trees are VERY fast growing. about 2 meters per year! so we'll have "mature looking" streets in about 5 years! Last edited by john2890; November 24th, 2009 at 02:10 PM.

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November 24th, 2009, 06:32 AM	#2
lebnani Libano Cinéphile Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Beirut, Toronto Posts: 314	Who are you! AND how can I get you hired for Solidere!

November 24th, 2009, 11:52 AM	#3
Joe.KL Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Beirut Posts: 72	Building over the ruins is very famous in countries like Greece, where ground floors are made as museums and then the building picks up normally. And it is a good idea, but not for garden of heavens, because it really is a big area! And i believe we already damaged our ruins beyond repair.. So we should openly display the little that remained. Keeping in mind that there will be Much less open space after DT is completed, and all parts of downtown joined together.

November 24th, 2009, 02:45 PM	#6
LeB.Fr beirut guy Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Beirut - Paris - Riyad Posts: 3,370	Yeeey more dream projects to come!

November 24th, 2009, 03:20 PM	#7
ainmreisiot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 166	Don't really agree, John. The Garden of Forgiveness would be an intervening space that should actually encourage pedestrian activity. It will offer a very different experience to what is currently on offer in the center, in that it will offer a mix of greenery and history, with no commerce. The plans include a little information center built into the walls, which should attract the curious. And the only way to experience it will be on foot. If completed as originally planned, people will even have a footbridge from where the Nouriyeh chapel is over to Martyrs Square, though if one is not built they will presumably be able to cross the Garden in different directions. More, having a garden flowing off a square might be a problem if we were talking about spaces the scale of Tiananmen or Red squares. Then you'd just have empty space bleeding into more empty space. But if Martyrs Square is built up as planned it will actually be long but narrow - as narrow as before. Moreover, the buildings on the Saifi side will be about as high as the Saifi II building, and will contain a two-storey stone arcade like we have on Maarad. That should nicely frame at least that side of the Square and draw pedestrians in as they'd have a shaded, and presumably attractive pathway along what is now simply an empty lot. From an urban planning / space creating standpoint I'd rather see some kind of arcade built up on the Martyrs Square side of Rafic Hariri's and his companions' burial plot. Leaving it completely undefined weakens the space. An arcade would leave it open to the Square, while framing the Square at the same time (and completing the al-Amin Mosque arcade). When it comes to the open side leading to the sea: I've always found it a difficult question. Like with the Rafic Hariri burial plot, leaving it completely open weakens the square (though Prague has a very long square too, if I remember, and still very attractive). But it creates a sea view people have long asked for. Not clear to me, as I like the idea of a strongly defined central space, but also like the idea of a view to the harbor and its activity, the new district, and the sea beyond.

November 24th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#8
ainmreisiot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 166	Moving away from formalistic design arguments, I think the real problem with life in the city center is that people still don't really live there. There are many residential developments, but for the most part they are either not complete, not fully occupied, or not occupied by people who live in them year round (as opposed to having them as summer residences, or as a home in Beirut for when they return to visit or eventually return to retire). The flow across Martyrs Square will likely change dramatically once all of the empty space on the Saifi side is developed and the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs building is built (not to mention the Phoenician Village - oversized in my opinion but probably an activity magnet). If the Foreign Ministry is actually built, and CMA CGM overcomes its cash flow problems and does indeed finish and occupy its building, there will be people there in the daytime who might want to go out for a coffee or lunch. The real problem with pedestrian life in the center, in my opinion, is the ring road. Whether you're trying to cross over from the Ashrafiyeh side, or the Ras Beirut side, the traffic is fast, heavy, and not everyone stops at the lights. Not a pleasant experience, and kind of a barrier reinforcing the separation of downtown from the rest of the city.

November 24th, 2009, 05:29 PM	#9
john2890 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London/Beirut Posts: 449	By "arcade" do you mean an arched wall that stretches from the al-Amin mosque to Virgin store? arched wall or a building with arcades on its ground floor? (torino) either case would be a good compromise i think. Though it really wont be the ideal. Or how about a monumental entrance linking etoile and martyr? Brandenburg Gate You're so right about the Ring road. It does act as a barrier, turning Solidere into a seemingly remote island, at least thats what it feels like. They should never have turned Charles Malek avenue into a high speed motorway, and building overpasses and bridges. It should have been made into a tree-lined / wide-pavement avenue. (Infact i personaly think that all the bridges built inside the city limits are a big mistake. ) As for Martyr square itself, its narrow (width about the same as the champs elysee) and thats why i think it would be silly to leave it open on the north side. that will make the "square" look and feel like a road. Martyr should finish at Bab Idriss. I tried to show that in the map (with whatever pathetic computer skills i have ) Besides even if left open, it will not actually look out onto the sea, but instead onto the new solidere development.

November 24th, 2009, 06:49 PM	#11
ainmreisiot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 166	It wouldn't stretch all the way from Virgin, because right next to Virgin they're already working on the Beirut Gardens building: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=399294 Originally there was to have been another building, between Beirut Gardens and the mosque,that would have closed off that edge of the square. There was to have been spacing between the buildings, almost in the form of short alleys, that would have joined the Square to the Garden. But after Hariri's murder and the decision to bury him next to the mosque, the plot between Beirut Gardens and the Mosque was designated an open area. So it's just the burial plot whose Martyrs Square edge, I think, would best be delineated with some kind of arcaded or otherwise porous barrier. I'd think it would help mark the Square while at the same time partly shield the burial place. You're right, leaving the end of Martyrs Square open would not leave a view to the sea. But it would leave the view open to the First Harbor of the port and whatever cruise ship or other activity it will cater to, to the second marina behind it, and then to the buildings at the edge of the landfill. Not bad if it works, but maybe you could partially close off the end of Martyrs Square, to leave a wide 'gate' in the middle as a kind of viewing corridor. Actually, given that they had plans (don't know if I'll see them built in my lifetime, at the pace Martyrs Square, the Garden of Forgiveness, etc are progressing) for a museum right in front of the An Nahar building, whose superstructure in the concept drawings is of glass, they are indeed contemplating closing off a bit of that end... Re Charles Malek: I fault Solidere for widening it rather than knocking the original elevated road down and building a surface road (or, to dream, digging a tunnel, with an avenue open to slower traffic on top). But the bridge was already there: it goes back to before Solidere's time. But it's always bothered me too. Like you, I can't stand elevated highways in the middle of a city, and I think the bridges being built on the way up north are horrendous, given the number of apartment buildings that have sprung up in Antelias etc. I'm a big fan of Boston's 'Big Dig,' however expensive it was: http://www.boston.com/beyond_bigdig/ Really like the models you're putting up. I'd like to see that idea you had for extending the landfill along the mole!