Oscar Niemeyer's project in Tripoli, Lebanon is one of the many lost jewels of the country. The project was dreamed up as an international fair and park, although it was never finished, nor fully functional.
Though the site does occasionally get weekend visitors and acts as one of the prime architectural tourist attractions, this Architecture & Art Center was a project created with the vision that eventually, the International Tripoli Fair would be completed, and become a social hub in the heart of Tripoli.
The project is erected on a triangular center, which houses the main circulation of the building, and is surrounded by floating platforms which hold the several functions of the building.
Each platform is rotated and twisted around the central structure in order to provide a 360 view of the park, as well as Tripoli in general.
Rendered building concept within the context of the fair and Tripoli. The project was designed to be a landmark at the entrance of the fair.
Concept for the platforms. Each platform had a specific view around the sea, park, and city.
The functions of the building were many in number, and specific functions related to others. Organizing these functions was a primary obstacle in order to develop the platforms.
Rendered view of the fourth floor.
On the ground floor, the area was carved out to create different heights and a hierarchical feel for the functions. The area was split into park areas, small pavilions, and large stairs that double as meeting spaces.
Rendered interior view of the second floor.
The height was an important aspect of the project in order to make the project stand out as much as possible.
