Architect: Bernard Khoury

Firm: Bernard Khoury / DW5

Location: Kferdebian, Lebanon

Project Type: Residential

Status: Built 2010

Copyright / Photographers: Jon Shard, Geraldine Bruneel & Bernard Khoury

Plot # 4328 is located on a 535-square-meter parcel in Kferdebian, Mount Lebanon on a steep topography with a 10-meter drop between its road frontage and the lowest point on the site.

The south façade connecting the project to the access road is an inclined plateau that starts at ground level and slopes up seven meters in the northern direction. The inclined plateau acts as the roof as well as a street façade deployed on an oblique plane which steps up to an elevated pool at the northern tip of the slope.  The sloping plane also leads the visitors up to the main entrances at mid-level located on the eastern and western edges of the roof.

The north façade is glazed from floor to ceiling on all three levels, open to long and narrow balconies overlooking spectacular views of the valley. The eastern and western facades have limited openings which provide access to intermediate terraces that define the eastern and western edges of the property. 

The two proposed units are organized on three split levels with high-ceiling reception spaces located on the upper level. The northern terraces of the project located at the lowest edge of the site are also accessible from the reception area by making use of a mobile balcony that travels vertically on the façade.