ABROYAN — The Value of the Existing

The Abroyan Factory was built in the 1920s by Abro Abroyan, an Armenian businessman from Istanbul. Originally renowned for producing high-quality clothing and undergarments that gained popularity beyond Lebanon, the factory spans approximately 5,500 square meters of built space. It is currently privately owned, and much of the factory now sits unused, except for a bar/restaurant occupying part of its ground floor.

The factory’s value lies in its striking concrete volumes and unique architectural spaces. This intervention seeks to restore the factory’s full spatial potential, ensuring it serves both the surrounding community and its owner. To achieve this, the factory's functionality must be restored—not only by repairing essential systems like electrical and plumbing, but also by anticipating potential uses for the space and preparing accordingly. For example, envisioning how many people may visit at once and improving vertical circulation, fire escapes, separate entrances, and possibly installing industrial elevators to accommodate a variety of activities.

Bourj Hammoud is known for its local craftsmen and artisans, and one idea is to open up this complex to artists, providing them with studios and housing to work on their personal projects while benefiting from the resources and craftsmanship that the neighborhood offers. This would turn the project into a mutually beneficial endeavor, enriching the artists’ knowledge while engaging the local community.

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