A contemporary academic landmark designed for openness, connection, and urban presence.
This competition proposal for the University of Balamand’s new campus in Dekwaneh explores how an academic building can become both a recognizable urban landmark and an open environment for learning and exchange.
The architecture is defined by a light, layered envelope that filters daylight while giving the building a distinctive presence within its dense urban context. Circulation is expressed as an active architectural element, creating visual connections between different levels and encouraging movement, interaction, and collaboration throughout the campus.
Landscaped terraces and open communal areas extend the academic spaces beyond the classroom, introducing moments of greenery and gathering within the building. The proposal creates a contemporary campus identity centered on transparency, connectivity, and a strong relationship between the university and the surrounding city.