Agriculture Research Center, Raas Baalbeck, Beqaa, Lebanon | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

The site location is in Ras Baalbek, Bekaa, Lebanon, close to Hermel (10 km) and the Al-Assi River (7 km). The historic and abandoned watermills define the location. The project’s primary objectives are to establish a memorial site in a unique way and raise awareness of it among the next generation. They will focus more on the context-specific culture that is derived from the water and agricultural resources by proposing an agriculture research center.

Two primary purposes will be served by the water mills on the property.

1- To revitalise the outdated water mills in order to provide the project with hydroelectricity. This will support the project in a sustainable manner.

2- To design an alternative method of directing water within the structure in order to conduct testing. The water plant centres in the area will benefit from this process.

Design Process

The concept behind the project is to integrate it with the surrounding environment and the surrounding land. The implementation of this project in the centre of the region will make it special. The surface has been sliced by a series of lines that mimic a spatial equaliser in order to direct light into the space, creating a pattern of ribbons that establish their roots in the earth.

Natural and artificial boundaries are blurred by these roots. Fluid spaces are created by these ribbons (or strips). The intricate relationship between the cultivated fields’ interior and exterior is translated into the project’s form, which consists of a series of ribbons articulated by internal structure.

Final Outcome

The final outcome is an agriculture research center with an organic form that respects the terrain and blends harmoniously into its surroundings. The project attempts to revitalise the once-abandoned watermill and restore its cultural and historical significance by turning it into a social gathering place. Thus, the land’s agricultural significance is preserved for future generations.

The project includes several features that facilitate and enable agricultural research and practices. Labs for plant breeding, soil management, water management, and fertiliser production are located in the basement. The research labs surround the central area of the building, which is bounded by the water stream from the watermill. To reflect the expansive panoramic views of the site, the vertices of the planes are extruded.

The project is the area’s first airfield. It is not a sculpture; rather, it is a resource centre for the people who use and live in the Bekaa. The memory travels back in time with the water mills. The project’s focal point is these architectural monuments, which serve as both the project’s beginning and conclusion. They are recycled in order to provide the building with hydroelectricity. The agriculture center’s interior is equipped with regenerated water channels that serve as a centre for water testing.

Conclusion: The architecture thesis showcases the effective use of contemporary building methods to produce a force that offers the user a unique experience in a simple yet appealing architectural form within a historical context. In addition to being a unique experience, this project serves as a social attraction.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]