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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.

Architecturally, the neighborhood might seem overwhelming at first glance. Unregulated construction, years of neglect, and the scars of wars and crises are evident. Yet beneath this apparent “chaos” lies an intricate ecosystem—a product of decades of shared effort, struggle, culture, and knowledge, countless values not only worth preserving but also amplifying.

With limited space for new construction in its tightly packed streets, the neighborhood rarely builds from scratch. Instead, it morphs like a living organism, continually adapting to the needs of newcomers through constant, incremental mutations. This fluidity, made possible by blurred ownership boundaries, minimal government intervention, and the ingenuity of its residents, allows those who might never afford ownership to actively participate in shaping their environment.

However, this patchwork of unorganized and unsupervised interventions is far from perfect. While there is much to learn from these adaptations, more could be done—and done better. Bourj Hammoud is where I grew up, where I first understood what space and its design truly mean—how inseparable and valuable they are, and how their manipulation, big or small, affects the lives of inhabitants and their societies, for better or worse.

This architectural study emerged from this understanding—not from a commission, but from personal curiosity and care. It began with the aim of discovering a local, economical, and sustainable architectural strategy to improve the lives of Bourj Hammoud’s residents. Officially launched at the end of 2022, this research project has, at its core, been a lifetime in the making.