Architectural Cases

Harmony in Contrasts: Where Tradition Meets Modernity

The Art of Illumination: Balancing Radiance and Depth

Light is a precious commodity in interior design, yet its optimal use lies not in abundance, but in balance. This Beirut residence, situated in the city's lively Clemenceau district, exemplifies a chiaroscuro aesthetic, masterfully blending illumination and shade to craft contrasting yet cohesive environments.

A Bespoke Transformation: Crafting a Sanctuary for a World Traveler

Elie Riachi, an architect based in Beirut and London, undertook the redesign of this four-bedroom apartment for a businessman whose life is defined by constant travel. Riachi describes the project as a “facelift” that revitalized outdated elements without altering the foundational layout. The renovation involved removing all existing bathrooms and old carpentry, along with false ceilings in many areas. However, the original tiled limestone floors were preserved, serving as a neutral foundation for Riachi’s vision. The client’s extensive collection of regional artworks and discerning taste in design were central to Riachi’s creative process.

Inspiration from the City: Embracing Beirut’s Vibrant Energy

The owner sought an interior that felt rich and lived-in, reflecting his global journeys. This aspiration, combined with the apartment’s prime location on the first floor of an early-2000s building with garden views near Beirut’s famous Corniche, deeply influenced Riachi’s concept. He notes how “the energy of the city flows past you like a television screen” from within the apartment.

Layering and Texture: A Brutalist and Mid-Century Influence

Riachi, whose background is in architecture, intuitively embraces contrasts. “I’ve come to appreciate the importance of layering,” he reflects. His design philosophy draws heavily from Brutalist architecture and mid-century aesthetics, which celebrate the intrinsic beauty of materials, spaces, and objects. This layering journey commences in the entry hall, a space that required meticulous attention due to its inherent darkness and lower ceiling. Riachi enhanced its shadowed character by incorporating American walnut paneling and perforated screens. Chosen for its timeless richness, the walnut, framed by travertine, creates dynamic patterns of dappled light when illuminated by the sun. These screens are a modern homage to traditional Arabic Mashrabiya, designed to “create an intriguing dance” and pique curiosity about what lies beyond.

The Living Spaces: A Symphony of Neutrals and Custom Details

The expansive living area echoes the material language of the entrance, albeit with an open and airy feel. Riachi designed a custom travertine fireplace with a walnut surround, featuring vertical openings and linear alabaster wall sconces that subtly reference the entrance screens. A silk-and-wool rug by Nalbandian, with its delicate striated pattern, complements a custom ivory fabric sofa with a ribbed walnut base. A built-in bar, crafted from walnut and travertine, borders the dining area, further integrating these core materials.

Curated Furnishings: A Dialogue Between Eras

Understanding the homeowner’s rotating art collection, Riachi maintained a palette of earthy neutrals and opted for a matte finish on all timber and stone surfaces, underscoring their enduring quality. The apartment is adorned with rare furnishings, many of which Riachi discovered in Parisian and London flea markets and galleries. Mid-century masterpieces, such as a 1950s ivory Cleopatra daybed by Dick Cordemeijer and a 1960s walnut desk by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, coexist harmoniously with contemporary pieces like a brass-and-zinc coffee table by Marko and Edoardo Lietti’s Sedia Tonda chair, which subtly references the apartment’s perforated screens.

Thoughtful Design: Comfort and Personal Expression

Alongside thoughtfully selected artworks, including Léo Pacha’s patinated metal sculpture “The Hiker,” the layered narrative envisioned by Riachi comes to life. A distinct contrast emerges between the public and private areas; while the living room features a palette of ivory, “greige,” brown, and black, the bedrooms and bathrooms introduce subtle color variations. Riachi notes that the custom curved headboards draw inspiration from the foliage visible from the apartment’s balconies, and he chose French linen for the wardrobe doors to create a softer ambiance. Despite the presence of exceptional art and design, Riachi successfully ensures that the spaces he creates feel “comfortable and effortless.”

Paul Rudolph's iconic Walker Guest House is currently being showcased at Basic.Space LA, reanimated with a curated selection of items from A$AP Rocky's Hommemade studio. This three-day event, held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, centers around Rudolph's 75-year-old modernist structure, which is celebrated for its unique system of adjustable wooden panels and cannonball counterweights. Visitors have the opportunity to acquire design pieces from over 80 artists and galleries, both on-site and online, with the renowned house itself also available for purchase at $2 million. This presentation marks a significant public appearance for the house, which has largely been in storage since its acquisition at a Sotheby's auction six years ago.

A Contemporary Vision for a Modernist Masterpiece

This weekend, Paul Rudolph's architectural marvel, the Walker Guest House, is being brought to life at Basic.Space LA, an event featuring a unique collaboration with the multifaceted artist A$AP Rocky. Situated at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, this three-day, invite-only retail experience highlights the 75-year-old modernist structure, celebrated for its ingenious system of movable exterior wooden panels counterbalanced by 77-pound cannonballs. Jesse Lee, founder of Basic.Space and owner of Design Miami collector's fair, articulated the event's theme, "Own the Future," emphasizing discovery not just of the new, but also of cool vintage finds, encouraging attendees to acquire a piece of what they love. The house, presented with its original furnishings and a contemporary twist, is available for purchase at $2 million. This marks the second instance Basic.Space has offered a 20th-century architectural masterpiece for sale, following the successful sale of the Jean Prouvé Gas Station for $1.5 million last year. A$AP Rocky, through his furniture and interior design studio Hommemade, has infused the Walker Guest House with a carefully selected array of items from his personal collection, including a 2021 Tom Sachs Shop Lounge Chair and a 1971 Super Studio Onos Bed. His curation also features a vibrant marigold-colored Estudio Compana Bolotas sofa from the 1970s, psychedelic Gaetano Pesce dining chairs from the 1990s, and an striking oversized Gufram Cactus, aiming to create a space that feels intentional yet lived-in, playful yet luxurious. Rocky expressed that Hommemade's philosophy is about storytelling through environment, inviting people to experience design with the same immersive quality as music. This event represents Hommemade's first major public showcase, with all displayed design objects available for purchase, bridging the gap between historical design and contemporary consumer access. Lee noted that Los Angeles's dynamic atmosphere and favorable climate facilitate such innovative, boundary-blurring collaborations between art, fashion, design, and architecture, a ethos mirrored in Rocky's diverse career. The house, previously unseen by the public since its original creation for the Walker family and subsequent sale, now stands as a testament to creative reinvention, introducing foundational design histories to new audiences.

This innovative exhibition of the Walker Guest House, enhanced by A$AP Rocky's vision, prompts reflection on the evolving intersection of art, design, and commerce. It challenges traditional notions of how we interact with historical architectural pieces, transforming them from static museum exhibits into dynamic, experiential spaces. The initiative underscores the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to breathe new life into established works, making them relevant and accessible to a broader, contemporary audience. This blend of past and present, high culture and popular influence, sets a fascinating precedent for future design showcases and offers a compelling new model for engaging with architectural heritage.