QSB Project
Overview
QSB is a Care Center for the elderly managed by the Sisters of the Holy Family located in the village of Qsaibeh, in the Beirut River Valley, nestled in a forest of stone pines.
Location
The site lies on two plots that cascade down from the street level in an increasingly inaccessible slope. Due to this constraint, and with a concern of preserving as much of the natural landscape of the site as possible, most of the program has been concentrated on the upper plot.
Perspectives
The Care Center sits on a naturally leveled platform, and is organized around a central orchard connecting the common spaces both physically and visually. This orchard and vegetable garden serves as the social heart of the project, bringing the community together.
The use of split-levels connected by ramps ensures a smooth flow of the circulation, and minimizes the need for vertical climb in the day-to-day life of the residents.
The bedrooms are oriented south and west towards the view, and benefit from long exposures to natural daylight. The play in the disposition of the single and double bedrooms modules generates the terraces that overlook each other reinforcing the neighborship between the residents.
Concept
The program consists of rooms for up to 90 residents divided in single and double bedrooms, a common living and dining space with their respected amenities, a physiotherapeutic spa, a chapel, guest rooms, an administration, and a residence for the nuns.
Diagrams
The therapeutic center is made up of an arrangement of organically shaped enclosures of different materials that support the upper slabs. The residents stroll around in the negative spaces between these enclosures which open up to the landscape.
The Nuns’ quarter sits on the second plot and connects to the main building via a tunnel. It is buried in the hillside giving them total privacy. A translucent meditation area protrudes from the planted roof inviting the residents of the center above for a promenade.
TEAM: RANI BOUSTANI, FIRAS MAATOUK, LARA SLIM, MARIE EL KHAZEN
STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT: BCDC CONSULTANCY
MECHANICAL CONSULTANT: BACHIR SAADE
ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT: ROGER NOUJAIM
TECHNICAL CONTROL SPECIALIST: APAVE
QUANTITY SURVEYOR: EGN CONSULTANTS
