CAHL — The Value of the Existing

CAHL was founded in the 1940s by Swiss missionaries, as a dormitory for Armenian orphans and individuals with disabilities who survived the Armenian Genocide. It later came under the ownership of the Armenian Evangelical Church.

Much of CAHL’s potential lies dormant, despite its long history of adaptation to meet the evolving needs of its occupants and the surrounding community. Over the decades, it has served many functions, including a kindergarten for disadvantaged children, a home for the elderly, offices for NGOs, a school and workshop for the blind, dormitories for orphans, and even a shelter during the Lebanese Civil War. However, decades of economic, social, and political crises have left much of it derelict and underused. While some parts remain functional and continue to serve the community to the best of their capacity, significant portions of the complex remain untapped, holding immense potential for future use.

In the absence of government support, CAHL’s historical significance lies in its ability to adapt to the community’s evolving needs. This intervention seeks to restore and amplify that flexibility, reviving the complex as a vital community resource. The strategy prioritizes first ensuring safety and cleanliness, then securing essential amenities such as water, electricity, and strategically located shared kitchens and bathrooms, before addressing superficial finishes. The remaining spaces will be kept flexible to accommodate a range of current and future needs.

Additionally, the intervention focuses on improving passive climatic comfort, maximizing natural light, enhancing ventilation where needed, and providing sun protection where necessary. Strengthening the relationship between indoor spaces and the surrounding gardens is central to the approach, carefully balancing natural and urban elements.

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