My project embraces the potential for adaptive reuse of war-damaged infrastructure while paying homage to the historical significance of the Egg, an unfinished cinema building in Beirut, Lebanon. Rooted in the building’s war-era narrative, my design is aimed at breathing new life into its spaces, simultaneously honoring its past and presenting a new vision for its future.

Central to my design approach is the transformation of the Egg into a community space that serves the structure's original function as a cinema and a venue for clandestine nightlife. Both of these programs are carried out through a versatile three-dimensional grid system akin to scaffolding. The grid's adaptability allows for fluid reconfiguration, respecting the authenticity and architectural integrity of the structure while accommodating diverse functions and serving as a testament to the building's resilience amid societal and political turbulence.

By day, the space caters to the various needs of the community; by night, it transforms into a nightlife spot that departs from the growing trend of VIP rooms, bottle service, and guest-list-only admission typical of venues in the city. Within the Egg’s walls, partygoers share an experience of cultural and sonic exploration that knows no hierarchy or special treatment, a significant occurrence in a country where wasta (the closest English translation of the word is “nepotism”) runs rampant.

The materials for the project have been selected consciously to reflect Lebanon's resourcefulness and resilience. Recycled glass, salvaged from the debris of the 2020 Beirut explosion, adorns the nightclub's roof, symbolizing renewal amid devastation, while the labyrinthine nature of the grid system invites visitors to lose themselves in the structure, fostering a sense of discovery. Symbolically, the labyrinth also embodies the project's ethos—a testament to the intricate layers of history and culture waiting to be unearthed within the Egg's enigmatic shell.

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