Lebanese University Tripoli
The new citadel
Project description
The Lebanese University campus in Tripoli is the main public higher educational hub in Northern Lebanon. The masterplan is composed of 8 faculties and accommodates up to 18,000 students. It also includes a library, a central cafeteria, a sports complex and 50,000m2 of landscaped areas.
The brief
The Lebanese Government aimed to achieve three objectives:
- Building a campus for the Lebanese University in Northern Lebanon
- Having the flexibility to scale construction activities along with funding availability
Our response
Laceco responded to the above objectives by:
- Developing a modular masterplan based on a 0.9m x 0.9m grid that allowed radical horizontal and vertical flexibility for all built components (from classrooms to landscaped areas)
- Designing buildings that integrate all programmatic requirements but can still be adapted/phased in accordance to client wishes
- Making sure that the masterplan functions within the very challenging spatial constraints of the site (accessibility, topography, narrow shape)
- Optimizing views towards the city of Tripoli and the nearby seafront
Interesting facts
Laceco responded to the above objectives by:
- Tripoli is famous for its ancient Citadel overlooking the city and symbolizing the realm of war and security. The Lebanese University Campus was conceived as a counterpoint to this image: a Citadel standing on a hill and overlooking the city, but symbolizing culture and education.
