Jamila Abou Daher
student
Lebanese University - Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture
Lebanon
Architecture
The Innovation Center focuses on clean and sustainable energy solutions and technologies to improve energy efficiency in buildings. All in aim to reduce… more
Tamer ElSerafi
advisor
Effat University
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Tamer ElSerafi is the Head of the Architecture Department and Director of the Master of Science… more
This project presents a highly compelling and contextually rooted vision for an innovation center in North Lebanon, addressing both the country’s energy crisis and cultural heritage. The design successfully merges traditional Lebanese architectural elements—such as courtyards, passive cooling strategies, and layered density—with contemporary functions related to clean energy, technology, and public engagement. The spine-like circulation system and interlocking programmatic volumes generate a lively, exploratory spatial experience that aligns with the pedagogical aim of turning the building itself into a “teaching material.”
Environmental responsiveness is embedded throughout the project, from wind-oriented planning and green roofing to water-retentive landscapes and thermal insulation. The use of traditional forms is reinterpreted rather than replicated, showing architectural maturity and innovation. The visual expression, material selection, and spatial diversity support inclusion, learning, and community gathering.
Overall, this is a sophisticated and mission-driven architectural work that skillfully integrates sustainability, pedagogy, and cultural identity into a spatially rich and socially relevant civic anchor.