Beirut offers little public green space. “Beirut Pine Forest” in the city center is soon to be reopened, after having been closed for decades. Architect Raëd Abillama has shown how the park should be upgraded to serve as many users as possible.

The architects divided the park into three zones: a green living room for leisure and relaxation, similar to a classic park; an urban extension & fitness zone, where a broad range of activities is possible, everything from a skating park to a playground to fitness areas; and a cultural, public programs & community events zone, with space for markets, festivals, outdoor exhibitions and installations, and a botanical garden. In this way, all visitors – an estimated 25,000 or more per day – will be able to use and enjoy the Pine Forest as they wish. The park is intended to be filled with life all week long, not just on the weekends.

Project author Raëd Abillama says: “Architecture is more than deciding which park bench to place where.”

Read feature interview in 4th Holcim Awards 2014/2015 (flip-book)