We firmly believe that these collaborative activities between different working groups and countries with study, research and project activities can concretely recognize and propose by contributing to rethinking the renewal of the identity of this wonderful city, which has been so badly affected by the terrible event. The study activities are already underway and the program will develop over a period of 12-18 months and will involve quick semester and project workshops, flanked by research projects and exhibition projects related to daily life activities, to the micro-infrastructure of neighborhood and the principles of Community Design and Design for Territory, particularly in the areas of Central Beirut affected by the devastation. Within the annual Design for Territory program, we aim to work on the level of experimental and experiential Design which aims to create useful tools for the Regeneration of a dynamic and participatory identity of the Beirut community and the central area
LINES OF ACTION, ACTIVITIES AND PROJECT THEMES
In addition to the Research Activities, together with the Lebanese partners we are developing a program of specific Training Activities such as six-monthly project workshops for in-depth study of the themes, interspersed with some international workshops and exhibitions held in some phases in San Marino, Bologna and Venice and in other phases in Lebanon to get as close as possible to the local reality.
These research, training and exhibition activities see the participation of some Lebanese Stakeholders, but are open to other Stakeholders interested in contributing.
LINE OF ACTION 1 | STRATEGIC PROJECT
In the first months of studying the area, the theme and the brief, it was considered correct to define a strategic research development plan, shared with some partners. This plan will be announced shortly within the project Laboratories in order to make about 120 students of the Laboratories work on two or three specific themes.
Settle
As mentioned earlier, the strategic plan foresees the first installation of food and craft cores, including during construction and reconstruction, which form a temporary network of settlements that could gradually become a permanent system of relationships between place, people and community.
The project aims to address and involve micro-grocery stores and craft micro-stores in a single structural complex that includes activities and encourages consumers to purchase local products, a symbol of Lebanese tradition.
It would be interesting to propose the new location right in the recently devastated area as it is on the city’s waterfront and represents both a strategic point and a symbol of rebirth.
In addition, all activities involved could be identified by the same visual identity (differentiated for example by colours or patterns), both in the use of packaging and in the architectural placement structures.
LINE OF ACTION 2 | PRODUCT DESIGN WORKSHOPS
The reasoning with the students concerns:
– Graphic representations of the possible material and immaterial networks of the place, of tradition, of today and tomorrow;
– Study of the umbrella brands and the coordinated image of the artisan and food districts;
– Mapping of markets, shops, materials, techniques, needs and principles to be assessed in Beirut;
– Diagrams of the possible on-time but reticular settlement of micro-grocery and craft micro-shops since the construction of new buildings or the reconstruction of damaged buildings;
– Design of the micro shop and grocery stores;
– Coordinated picture of the revitalization operation through food and handicrafts;
– Artisanal or semi-industrial products to reactivate the community design for a circular economy and short supply chain (ceramics, wood, leather or wool fabrics) to be sold in shops in the centre;
– local food;
– packaging for these products;
– micro-exhibitors for these products;
– Stalls – removable booths for a temporary solidarity market in the neighbourhood (assembly and disassembly) for food and handicrafts;
– Exhibitors for Fab-Lab stores for these products as a core for reactivating relationships between residents, craftsmen and tourists;
– Products or furniture for bookstores
– others
LINE OF ACTION 3 | DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS
Promotion through video narration of the identity definition processes;
Participation in the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale;
Creation of a publication of narration and reflection on the topic;
Organization of Exhibitions in San Marino, Bologna and Lebanon;
Organization of round tables in Lebanon and in the group’s universities and abroad;
TRAINING AND APPLIED RESEARCH RESULTS EXPECTED IN THE SHORT PERIOD
Creation of a complex network system scheme for identity regeneration;
Creation of 30 projects or prototypes of artefacts or product families to be proposed to local supply chains in Beirut;
Sharing of projects and results with local partners;
Realization of some prototypes of objects or cockpits in the context of Beirut:
All documents, including some that aren’t on this submission form, are available at: Regenerating identity. Dynamic pills for the community of Beirut | Applied Research Project – Google Drive.