Sandra Frem; Boulos Douaihy

Beirut Shifting Grounds is a research project that spanned over two years, simultaneously as Beirut was going through major changes at an unprecedented rate with the collapse of its economy, devaluation of the national currency, the viral outbreak of Covid-19, and finally the deadly Beirut Port explosion—one of the biggest non-nuclear blasts ever recorded—that ripped the city apart on August 4th, 2020. This very same period was ripe with an unprecedented wave of activism, collective self-organization and bottom up mobilization, in the modern history of the country, in the face of the pervading adversity. In such context, the project probes How will we live together? by foregrounding spatial practices at the ground level of Beirut that allow people to adapt through uncertainty and change. Through four parallel narratives, this installation focuses on manifestations of improvisation, reclamation, and production that offer possible lessons of adaptation and solidarity for the uncertain future.

Image 1 – How will we live together?
Grounds of Production. After the port blast in Beirut, the reconstruction process in destroyed neighborhoods showed first and foremost the potential of people, activists, collectives, and civil society groups in the bottom-up production of the city in response to people’s needs. We speculate on different ways of inhabiting and reclaiming Beirut that depart from such collective energies and engage ground realities. Vacant lots, structures, and existing open spaces become available for collective appropriation. Overlaid by essential infrastructure outlets—water, electricity, data— that come from neighborhood-harnessed renewable energies, the ground becomes equipped to support collective activities and exchanges, like communal kitchens, markets, temporary gatherings, and occupation. Such outlets can be customized, relocated, and adjusted as needed, objects of negotiation between the different collectives using it, not unlike the revolution and post-blast collective deployments.

Image 2 – Sneak peek of the project
Beirut Shifting Grounds. We foreground positive practices at the ground level of Beirut that allow people to adapt through shifting conditions and uncertain futures. Improvisation, reclamation, and production are three practices explored each at a specific scale/lens. The fourth lens present visual and physical installations as public practices that poke internalized ground conditions.

ArD | Department of Architecture and Design, American University of Beirut (AUB)
MSFEA | Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, AUB

platau: Sandra Frem, Boulos Douaihy

American University of Beirut (AUB): Carla Aramouny, Rana Haddad, Nicolas Fayad
Contributors: Nayla Al Ak, Ahmad Nouraldeen, Joanne Hayek, Joanne Harik (Rice University)

Production Team: Yara Abdallah, Nour Abdel Baki, Salameh Abla, Rabih Arasoghli, Yasmine Atoui, Ghinwa Azzi, Michelle Azzi, Nour Balshi, Mia Baraka, Taha Barazy, Lama Barhoumi, Christina Battikha, Mariana Boughaba, Joseph Chalhoub, Annabelle Chebat, Dina Chehab, Araz Demerdjian, Gina Ghaoui, Souraya Hammoud, Yara Haidar, Joanna Howayek, Ismail Hutet, Lynne Khater, Tara Kanj, Karen Madi, Thea Maria Maroun, Carmen Matta, Careen Matta, Nathalie Mounzer, Mohammad Nahle, Rayanne Njeim, Yasmine Saad, Clara Saade, Lama Salameh, Tala Salman, Hala Stouhi, Lea Tabaja, Sarah Tannir, Nicol Yamin, Hussein Zaarour, Maya Ziade

Featured Projects:

PIIIISSSST, 2018
Rana Haddad, Pascal Hachem

In Between, AUB. 2016
Students: Mira Al Jawahiry, Luzan Al Munayer, Mia Baraka, Ibrahim Kombarji, Shada Mustafa
Studio co-taught by: Rana Haddad and Joanne Hayek

Corniche Extended, AUB. 2012
Students: Jalal Makarem, Farah Harake, Marianne Safi, Mustafa Chehab, Rami Saab
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad, Carole Levesque, Sandra Richani

Crates’ Play, 2018
Students: Mohamad Chami, Tala Salman, Taha Barazy, Andrea Chaanine

Moving Monument, 2018
Students: Amina Kassem, Sari El Kantari, Elie Geha, Tamara Salloum

Let’s Park, 2018
Students: Nicolas Abou Haidar, Soraya Hammoud, Nicol Yamin, Lina Akkaoui, Carl Yammine

6.5 m Beach Cart, 2018
Students: Nicolas Abou Haidar, Soraya Hammoud, Nicol Yamin, Lina Akkaoui, Carl Yammine
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad and Pascal Hachem, AUB

“Stop Pushing Us Away”, AUB. 2019
Student: Abdo Kanachat
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad and Pascal Hachem

1 Acte / 2 Pieces, 2001
Rana Haddad and Pierre Hage-Boutros
in collaboration with the Atelier de Recherche, ALBA

Radio Silence, 2016
Rana Haddad and Joanne Hayek

Basket Ball Net, AUB. 2018
Students: Mohamad Chami, Tala Salman, Taha Barazy, Andrea Chaanine
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad and Pascal Hachem

Air Rights, AUB. 2012
Students: Youssef Ibrahim, Jana Aridi, Loulwa Achkar, Thea Hallak, Micheline Nahra
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad, Carole Levesque, Sandra Richani

[In]Contemplation, AUB. 2019
Students: Abdo Khanachat Yara Kamali, Lina Badda, Ralph Karam, Jamie Lau, Sama Beydoun
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad and Pascal Hachem

Nature’s Calling, AUB. 2012
Students: Tracey Eid, Lamia Dabaghi, Hala Tawil, Mira Moussa, Sara Batal
Studio co-taught by Rana Haddad, Carole Levesque, Sandra Richani

Video and Photo Credits: Ali Chehade, Wissam Chaaya, Louay Kabalan, Joanne Hayek, Rana Haddad

Acknowledgments: Archives and Special Collection Department, Jafet Library - American University of Beirut, Sursock Museum Library and Archive, Arab Image Foundation, Beirut Urban Lab, Emerge Beirut, Antoine Atallah, Rawan Bazergi, Michael and May Davie, Fadi Ghazzaoui, Balsam Madi, Camille Tarazi, Serge Yazigi