BeMA, a 'Museum in the Making'

At this time last year the Association for the Promotion and Exhibition of the Arts in Lebanon (APEAL) launched a design competition for the planning and design of a new modern and contemporary art museum in Beirut: "A Museum in the Making." A shortlist of 13 architects/teams was announced in March 2016, culled from 66 submissions from 16 countries – all with an architect of Lebanese origin. From the shortlist, the jury* selected the design by HW Architecture, led by Beirut-born, Lebanese/French architect Hala Wardé.

The jury stated that the design was selected for "the way it creates a succession of varied landscapes and spaces where art and society can come together. The connections between garden, amphitheater, exhibition spaces and roof garden have been well considered and offer a continuous visitor experience that lends itself to both exhibiting art and engaging with the community."

Situated on a plot of land owned by Université Saint-Joseph (USJ), the most notable feature of Hala Wardé's design is the nearly 400-foot-tall campanile that anchors one side of the public garden. Intended to act as "a cultural beacon for the entire city," it will contain space for workshops and performances, as well as artist's residences with amazing views of downtown Beirut. The garden will include a promenade, an amphitheater for performing arts, and is intended to accommodate site-specific installations and artworks.

BeMA: Beirut Museum of Art is expected to be complete in 2020.

*The jury was chaired by Lord Peter Palumbo and included curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Dame Julia Peyton-Jones; architects George Arbid, Dr. Farès el-Dahdah, Dr. Rodolphe El-Khoury, Rem Koolhaas, and Lord Richard Rogers; artist Lamia Joreige; and APEAL president Henrietta Nammour. Zaha Hadid was a member of the jury until her sudden death at the end of March.