Villa Chams
PROJECT: VILLA CHAMS
TYPE: PRIVATE RESIDENCE
LOCATION: BAALBEK, LEBANON
AREA: 700SQM
YEAR: 2020
Laying remotely within Lebanon’s most arid and historical naturescape, Villa Chams embraces its surrounding’s identity from the flora to the Roman temples, and presents itself as a melodically elemental story teller.
At a distant glance, this one shelled structure grounds itself horizontally, while respectfully blending in with the mindfully preserved rocks, opunita, olive trees and other flora on a backdrop of distant mountains. Upon a more intimate inspection, sporadically equidistant walls and columns orchestrate a rhythmic flow on a rudimentary grid, creating both introverted spaces and open extensions. The pool is floored with rough terrazzo, mixed with native mineral aggregates, which emits a grounding effect and massages the feet. Flowing like a river through concrete columns, the water comes to a gentle rest by bordering rocks that lead to a view of neighboring plants, distant mountains and sky. Rooms are naturally furnished with poured earth concrete walls, stone, light and layers of view, emitting an earthy sensorial balance. The music and reading room is infused a level lower into the ground which further introverts the spirit of it’s function and opens to an eye level glazed view of the outdoors. The bathroom, irradiated solely through a skylight, is embraced with a floor to ceiling rock and contrasting smooth sound reflective walls which further enhance the soothing water acoustics. In further manifestation of the living nature of this house, certain materials are encouragingly left to change color aesthetics with the natural wear and tear of time. The seasonal nature of Baalabek adds another dimension to this built environment. Dry and sunny days can be enjoyed under shaded areas and within cooling rocks, while chilly mystical nights can be spent stargazing by the fireplace around the heated pool. Touching on all elements of the earth, this house is meticulously designed to emit feelings of harmonious tranquility with nature’s many sensorial layers, for a solemn retreat.
ABOUT CARL GERGES
After pursuing a decade of architectural ventures, Carl Gerges’s immutable drive paved a timely opportunity to launch his own studio, Carl Gerges Architects. The media immediately took notice and he found his home, which he designed, instantly featured on the cover of AD Middle East. A seasoned traveler with a dual vocation and a resilient ambition for continuous progress, Carl acquired a well cultivated skill set and experience. Thus, his horizons touch on various architectural styles, historical realms, urban fabrics and philosophies. Carl Gerges Architects adopts a purely human scale manner of work, whereby each project aims to consider and preserve its relative social, environmental and historical aspects. An advocate of authentic and honest designs, the studio commences creations by delving into the client’s stories and identities, basing the scope of work on the project’s core value and DNA. Reserving a deep respect for sustaining the natural resources within the space at hand, Carl avails himself these earthly fabrics. Alongside, he handles heritage with intimate sensibility, preserving the past world that grandly inhabits each project’s site and air. During the founding years of Mashrou Leila, his internationally recognized musical band, Carl gained his BFA from American University of Beirut and worked for local and international firms. With a desire to remain in close connection with the new generation of architects and AUB, Carl served successively as a jury member in the Architecture school. A believer in creative vision regardless of the medium, he retains his dually passionate momentum for making music while managing his Architecture studio. This boundless career path grants him the freedom to express and reinvent himself, while striving to impact people’s lives on a sensual, practical and emotional level.
All material is copyright Carl Gerges Architects.
Portrait ( Tarek Moukadem)
