Page 2 — The Value of the Existing

This architectural research project was developed by Arine APRAHAMIAN under the mentorship of Anne LACATON and supported by the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative.
The full scope of the research will be published in a book of the same title, scheduled for release in mid-2026.

Established in the 1920s, Bourj Hammoud initially provided refuge for thousands of Armenians fleeing the genocide carried out by the then Turkish authorities.

These refugees first lived in camps on the shores of Beirut, in makeshift quarantine cities, before being relocated about a kilometer inland to what is now Bourj Hammoud.

Originally a mix of swamps and argricultural land, the area has evolved into a dense urban landscape known for its narrow, bustling streets, small plots, and diverse population of locals, migrants, and refugees – a home to many who are simply looking for one. It is a community shaped by layers of history, migration, and survival.

This architectural research project was developed by Arine APRAHAMIAN under the mentorship of Anne LACATON and supported by the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative.The full scope of the research will be published in a book of the same title, scheduled for release in mid-2026.

This architectural research project was developed by Arine APRAHAMIAN under the mentorship of Anne LACATON and supported by the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative.
The full scope of the research will be published in a book of the same title, scheduled for release in mid-2026.