Hello everyone, feel free to browse my portfolio including a selection of my undergraduate work and my graduation project. I hope you enjoy the trip through my hard working years...

1. A R C H I T E C T U R E P O R T F O L I O
Bassem ABOU ANTOUN
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik – USEK
Masters in Architecture
Selected works 2016-2020
Beirut, Lebanon

2. Bassem ABOU ANTOUN
Portfolio
2016-2020

3. Introduction
Extract from the motivation essay
One of the things I enjoy the most of architecture is the relationship between scientific and humanistic themes.
What effects me is that the design of a building should be harmonious between theoretical, social, functional and technical
characteristics and, at the same time, relate respectfully to the context.
In every project I worked on, I have always tried to guarantee a well balanced treatment of any of those aspects and to
tackle the need of the built environment in the most realistic and objective way.
In addition, I think it is very relevant to notice how architecture works at many scales, from territory to city, from specia l
issues to structural details: this underlines the link between architecture, urbanism and building science,
and their mutual implementation.
My experience so far include not only university courses, but I also was able to relate with the professional word, internshi ps
and with some extra activities. In all of these experiences I noticed how important was and in fact it is to be capable to go
through many themes and requirements that a project needs, from team work and theoretical issues to dealing with clients,
engineers, and building regulations.
I concluded that it is not only the architectural design part which fascinates me, but also on-site work, and all the other
knowledge that an architect needs to acquire in order to perform as one.

4. Architecture
Projects
In this first selection I show five projects
during my years in of Bachelor and Masters
studies at the Holy Spirit University of
Kaslik, Lebanon.
They offer a overlook of the wide range of
planning aspects I faced and of the variety
of topics I dealt with.
All drawings, schemes and models shown
have been made by myself unless otherwise
stated.
Mediterranean
Maritime
Museum
Amchit,
Lebanon
Municipal
Media
Library
Zouk
Mosbeh,
Lebanon
Cultural
Center
Jounieh,
Lebanon
Jesuits
Public
Parc
Achrafieh,
Lebanon
Total
Lebanon
Administrative
and
Awakening
Center
Arts
and
Crafts
School
Gemayzeh,
Lebanon

5. Cultural Center
Jounieh, Lebanon
Architecture Design Studio 3
Prof. Architect Rita Karam
The project I was assigned is to create a cultural meeting space in Jounieh to boost its cultural status and interest that began to regress against the
dominance of modern culture and night life on the city. This center’s purpose is to encourage people return to their cultural roots.
The chosen site is located on the infamous historical bay of the city that is well known in its commercial and fishing port, as well as many touristic
destinations, restaurants, old stone houses, the old souks… It is a well known destination area for tourists, visitors and residents and this cultural center is
an inviting as well as a destination element for the region’s visitors.

6. Conceptual
Approach

7. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
Underground Plan -1
Ground Floor Plan
Southern Elevation
Northern Elevation
Western Elevation

8. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
Underground Plan -1
Eastern Elevation
Section A.A
Section C.C
Section B.B

9. Municipal Media Library
Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon
Architecture Design Studio 5
Prof. Architect Robert Karam
The project I was assigned is to create a media library and cultural space for the municipality of Zouk Mosbeh.
The existing old traditional library is no longer accessed by the new generation as it was in the past. So a cultural place has to be
established to please the new generation’s demands. That’s why I decided to create a modern media library in front of the most
important cultural building in the village, Our Lady of Louaize Church, near the Notre Dame de Louaize University so the project
could be a destination for students also.
Its purpose is to gather the village residents and mostly the younger generation upon many cultural activities.

10. Conceptual
Approach
Idea and conceptual approach:
- Invitation
- Contextual integration
- A world on its own
- Media Library:
Knowledge, know and
understand the project
- Soothing elevations
- Attracting and inviting open ground floor
Calm zone
Noisy zone
first floor open plan
Ground floor as the same level
as the pedestrian road
encouraging public access
Public flow
Main entrance
Educative area
Entertainment area
rooms
green
space
adults
young
Circulation
Multipurpose Rooms
and Cafeteria
Contact with
neighboring public
spaces
Mass Plan

11. Ground Floor Plan
Western Elevation
Southern Elevation
Eastern Elevation
Plans
–
Elevations
-
Sections

12. Underground – 1 Plan
Section B.B
Section A.A
Northern Elevation
Plans
–
Elevations
-
Sections

13. Jesuits Public Park
Achrafieh, Lebanon
Landscaping Project
Prof. Carine Nasr
The historical Jesuits Garden is a destination for many people who are living in the condensed district of Achrafieh knowing that it is one of the
very few remaining green spaces in Beirut. But this garden is actually menaced by many factors. People are starting to lose interest in the garden
because it is becoming very old and no one is showing interest of intervention in this space. Old cladding, sand spread playgrounds muddy in the
winter, old benches, small library, lack of lighting. Beside all that, the garden was selected for demolition by the Municipality of Beirut in order to
create a new underground car park as part of a highway extension project.
The task I was assigned is to create a new landscape proposition to revive the place and create a much safer and attractive park, so we can
convince the municipality to preserve this historical green space.

14. Actual
situation
of
the
park
–
Renovation
proposal
Historical
The Jesuit Garden, also
known as the Jeitawi Garden
is a public park in the district
of Rmeil in Beirut, Lebanon. It
is located in Moscow Street
covering approximately
44,000 square meters
The Garden was donated to the city in
the 1960s by the Company of Jesus. The
Jesuits opened schools in the area
around an old Byzantine church in the
1600s. The garden houses the remains
of an ancient temple and includes
Roman columns and mosaics
JESUITS GARDENS
ACHRAFIEH JEITAOUI
Problem
In 2013, the garden was selected for
demolition by the Municipality of Beirut
in order to create a new underground
car park as part of a highway extension
project. The parking lot project
sparked an uproar (faced a great
opposition) and several protests by
local residents and heritage activists
Different groups and NGOs participated in the
Manifestations and expressed their concerns, notably
Green Line, Biladi, Save Beirut Heritage and the
Association for the Protection of Lebanese Heritage.
Guided tours of the ruins were made and it was explained
how the planned construction works would irreparably
damage the trees, the Byzantine Church, and one of the
few green spaces that are in Beirut
Municipality’s parking study - Section
Actual pictures of the park

15. Strength points:
• Library
• Children's games
• Meeting place for the
elderly and adults
• 2 Access to the
middle of the garden
linking it directly to
the road. Easy access
• Lung of the region
• Historical zone and
National heritage
Weakness points:
• Lack of activities for
adults
• Lack of significance
for heritage and
historical ruins
• Lack of cleanliness
• Lack of direction and
planning
• Lack of security
• Absences of renewal
elements
• Lack of bright
colors
• Suffocated area and
surrounded by
concrete buildings
Garden’s historical:
1600 s:
In green, the
original condition
of the garden,
44000 sqm.
Location: Moscow
Street, Achrafieh.
1960 s:
in red, the current state
4400 m2
The garden was donated
to the city by the
Compagnie de Jesus, the
jesuits.
1975 – 1990:
Lebanese Civil War.
Destruction of
historic Byzantine
ruins and trees in the
garden.
2013:
the garden was selected for
demolition by the municipality
of Beirut in order to create a
new underground car park.
Demonstrations by supporters
of the garden.
Beirut
Jeitaoui
Achrafieh
Jesuits
Garden
Actual pictures of the park
Actual
situation
of
the
park
–
Renovation
proposal

16. Daylighting:
Proposal
Plan:
1
3
2
4
5
1- Road access
2- Ruins zone
3- Playground
4- Cultural zone
5- Circulation
Visits diagram:
Actual pictures of the park
Actual
situation
of
the
park
–
Renovation
proposal

17. Design Proposal
Actual
situation
of
the
park
–
Renovation
proposal
Adult Zone
Library
Kids zone - Playground
Path threw the park
towards the street
Elderly zone

18. Actual
situation
of
the
park
–
Renovation
proposal

19. Actual
situation
of
the
park
–
Renovation
proposal

20. Mediterranean Maritime Museum
Maritime Boulevard – Amchit, Lebanon
Master Architecture Design Studio I
Prof. Architect Zafer Sleiman
This is the first reconversion project I have been assigned to. The task given was to convert an abandoned brewery to a much useful space taking
advantage of the building’s location.
Built in 1972, this building was operational until partially destroyed in the Civil War in the mid 1980s, and was abandoned since then.
Mainly, seeing the site’s location on the boulevard and on the Lebanese coast that opens to the Mediterranean coastal cities where our ancestor
Phoenicians spread the Alphabet departing from Byblos, and seeing the richness and the importance of the Mediterranean basin and the commercial,
cultural and politic role he played during thousands of years, I decided to reconvert the old brewery into a Mediterranean Maritime Museum.

21. Conceptual
Approach
Mass Plan

22. Eastern Elevation
Western Main Elevation
Mass Plan
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

23. Southern Elevation
Ground Floor Plan
Ground Floor - Access
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

24. Underground Service Plan
First Floor Plan
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

25. Section A.A
Section B.B
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

26. Section C.C
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

27. Arts and Crafts School
Old train station - Mar Mikhael, Beirut, Lebanon
Master Architecture Design Studio II
Dr. Architect Antoine Fischfisch
The project I was assigned to is to architecturally solve a problem of many existing in the district of Mar Mikhael, Beirut. This district that is well known in its loud night
life, bars, artists and hippies gathering is the destination for thousands of young people every week end from all over the country and also is the home of a large
number of artists, painters, architects, and hosts many artistic events and exhibitions through the year on its streets for the lack of expo spaces. Beside the positive
image among its visitors, this neighborhood reserve a negative image among its residents. Because of the chaotic urban development since 1960s and the wide use of
concrete, this neighborhood began to suffer from a sharp increase in population, lack of basic public services and disorderly urbanization. Modern buildings of
considerable height stand side by side with traditional houses generally in degraded or abandoned condition, which many volumes and floors were subsequently
added to.
So seeing the artistic aspect of the neighborhood, its attraction for young people and especially the artists, I decided to establish a Arts and Crafts School that meets
the neighborhood’s artistic and cultural needs and let the students express themselves in the right place not just on the streets, this architecture that also respects the
traditional buildings aspect of the district, so the residents accepts it and feel comfortable when visiting it.

28. Conceptual
Approach
Photos of Mar Mikhael district

29. II- Morphology Micro-boundaries: Zones
Residential zone Mixed zone Train station
Train station
Residential zone
Mixed zone
EDL
Office zone
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 6/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

30. II- Morphology Figure Ground
Roads and Voids
Roads and Voids
Built inside study
zone
Built outside study
zone
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 9/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

31. Green spaces
Built
II- Morphology Green spaces
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 12/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

32. III- Typology Typological Evolution
Liwan house Three Arches house Veranda house Bay window Modern buildings Post modern buildings
Ottoman houses
1800s - 1900
Buildings 1900 - 1920
Buildings 1940 - 1970
Buildings 1970 - 2000
Buildings 2000 - present
Unidentified
19th century 1860 1920 1940 1960 2000
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 13/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

33. IV- Circulation Stairs
2- Private stairs
1- Public stairs
• Path with stairs leading to
a group of buildings
• Used by the residents as
an external extension and
a meeting space
• Pedestrian paths are
made by old beirutys to
access the Achrafieh hill
Highway
Main road
Secondary road
Tertiary road
Blind alley
Stairs
Parking
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 21/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

34. V- Social
Gentrification and rupture
Commercial ground floor Residential ground floor
East Village
New buildings
Skyline Tower
The rupture between different
architectural styles
Visual contacts
Traditional buildings
Modern buildings
(1980 – present)
East Village
Skyline Tower
Aya Tower
New post modern style buildings are
being built in the district which are
beginning to give it a new architectural
and social identity, and threaten the
existing traditional buildings.
As they promote the settling of wealthy
people in the neighborhood, they create
social rupture and segregation.
Old buildings
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 31/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

35. V- Social Lifestyle: Art spaces
Vandome Stairs
before renovation
Vandome Stairs
after renovation
Arts gallery
Crafts
Artists
Graffiti
Outdoors artistic
exhibitions
• A large number of artists and
musicians live in the poor
neighborhood of Mar Mikhael
• Lack of work for young people
who have resorted to art, music
and graffiti to express themselves
• Outdoor exhibitions of arts and
masterpieces especially on the
stairs
• Lack of public exhibition spaces
and theaters, live performances
happens in the street
Train station walls
* This slide is extracted from a analytic study done by my colleagues and I on the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael – slide 32/35
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections

36. Model
Photos

37. Total Lebanon HQ
Administrative and Awakening Center
Final Project
Prof. Architect Georges J. Hakim
Mass Plan
Burj Hammoud
Municipal Park
Beirut River
Refinery study
Total is the main company responsible for activities concerning the discovery of natural gas and oil the Lebanese territorial waters.
But until this time Total, and here I am talking about Total Lebanon, does not have a suitable administrative headquarters in Lebanon. A HQ that will
allow it to support the large number of employees and independently direct its future activities in the country.
One of the policies that Total has recently defined is Societal Commitment, where Total seeks to solidify its relationship with the people and be more in
contact with them, seeking to find ecological solutions for their energy problems, since Total, and after several catastrophic incidents and given global
climate change, tends to invest globally in the field of renewable energies.
So, given that Total does not have a suitable headquarters for its major activities in Lebanon and based on research concerning Total, its policies and
activities, and how it can return economic and social benefit to the State, therefore I have decided to plan an ecological headquarter which will be the
administrative and awakening center for Total Lebanon.

38. Design of the main elements:
1- Public and private spaces
Design of the main elements:
2- The Slab
Conceptual approach
• The project is divided into two parts:
Public part and private part.
• Each has its own main access
• Each opens onto its own green space
• Continuity from the park to the project
• Pedestrian flow park - project
Project site
Mutual space
Buffer zone
Municipal park
Beirut River
Beirut River Refinery study
/ / / / / /
Public zone
Private zone
Total Offices
Extension of the park
• Green slab
• Ensures the height extension of the park
• Help to create a covered public meeting
space which will be the extension of the park
towards the project
• Foster a sense of security and shelter
A Signal Element of Unity
• The slab joins the two public and private parts
• Help to execute Total's policy of “Societal
Commitment”
• It indicates the placement of the different
functions in the project
• Create covered areas on the ground floor
level
Accessibility
• The slab extends towards the park to ensure
accessibility
• Ensures the extension of the park
• Promotes the Total - Public relationship
• Indicates access to the plots on the ground
floor
• Its extension indicates Total offices green
space

39. Design of the main elements:
3- Volumes
Design of the main elements:
Access
Conceptual approach
Awakening Center
Public Library
Public Functions
Total Offices
• Division of public and private zones
according to the functions in each one
• The slab ensures the fusion between the
headquarters and the park: extension in
two directions
• The volumes are reminiscent of fuel tanks
• Respect several sustainability criteria
• Slab with holes to provide natural lighting and
ventilation to the plots below
• Create an attractive and peaceful meeting space
Gross volume
Clearance on the ground floor for
offices - opening towards green
space and outdoor plots
Covering of the exterior skin in
perforated corten panels
Total Offices
Cafeteria – Total Products Store
Awakening Center
Exposition plateform – Public and Private mutual zone
Public Library
Helipad
Auditorium – Main Purpose Room – Expo Room
Green space
Main piazza
VIP Parking
Parking
Transfer the existing
road through the
underground to
protect the pedestrian
flow between the park
and the headquarters
Pedestrian access to the slab (in dark red)
Park
Access from the maritime motorway
and the dawra highway
Vehicular access

40. Main programming Diagrams:
-programming-
Main Programming Diagrams:
Slab: Structure location
Conceptual approach
Slab
Public Library
Public Cafeteria
Total Products Store
Internal Expo
External Expo
Multipurpose Room
Auditorium
Administration
Fuel and Gas Dpt.
Solar Energy Dpt.
Bio-Energy Dpt.
Awakening Center
Frame of structural posts supporting the slab -
20x20 m
Posts arms resembling tree branches

41. Main programming Diagrams:
Offices
Conceptual approach
Reception Hall – Press Room – Events Room
Risk Department
Legal Department
Financial Department
General Administration
Medical Department – H.R
Shipping Department
Trading Department
Financial Department
Mutual Meeting Rooms
Electricity and Gas Division
Polymers Division
Refining and Petrochemical Division
Department’s General Administration
Administration
Fuel and Gas Department
Employee’s Multipurpose Room
Offices
Department’s General Administration
Entertainment Room
Offices
Department’s General Administration
Employee’s Cafeteria
Solar Energy Department
Bio-Energy Department

42. Mass Plan
Burj Hammoud
Municipal Park
Beirut River
Refinery study
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details

43. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details Ground Floor Plan
Public zone
Ground Floor Plan

44. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
Ground Floor Plan
Office buildings

45. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
First Floor Plan
Office buildings

46. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
Second Floor Plan
Office buildings

47. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
Third Floor Plan
Office buildings

48. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
Fourth Floor Plan
Office buildings

49. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
Library and Mezzanine Plan
Awakening Center Plan
FF.L +5.00

50. Eastern Elevation
v
Southern Elevation
Eastern Elevation – Public Area
Close-up elevation
v
Public cafeteria Total Products Store External Expo Internal Expo Multipurpose Room Auditorium
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details

51. Section A.A
Section B.B – Fuel and Gas Department
Close-up section
Section C.C
Section B.B
Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details

52. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
1 - Wall Section
Detail 1
Model
Photos

53. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
2.A - Partial Plan
2.A - Partial Plan
Detail 2

54. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
3.AF - Partial Elevation
3.A - Partial Section
Detail 3.A

55. Plans
–
Elevations
–
Sections
–
Details
3.B - Partial Section 3.BF - Partial Elevation
Detail 3.B