The IFI was established as a neutral, dynamic, civil, and open space where people representing all view-points in society can gather and discuss significant issues, anchored in a long-standing commitment to mutual understanding and high quality research. The institute aims to harness, develop and initiate research of the Arab world to enhance and broaden debate on public policy and international relations.

Relocating the infirmary closer to the new university hospital presented AUB with the opportunity to build the institute on the constrained site with a 7 metre drop in elevation between its south and north boundaries. The existing AUB campus combines buildings constructed in concrete through-out the 20th Century in a variety of revivalist and modernist styles with different cladding and ren-dering treatments. The 3,000 sq. m. IFI building is defined by the many routes and connections within AUB; inter-weaving the pathways and views within the campus to create a forum for the exchange of ideas at the heart of the university. The IFI design introduces new links between the Central Oval with the forested area of the Middle Campus and sea beyond. Existing Ficus and Cypress trees on the IFI site (aged between 120 and 180 years old) are integral to the design. The building emerges from the geometries of intersecting routes as a series of interlocking platforms and spaces for research, en-gagement and discourse. The IFI’s reading room, conference workshops and research rooms ‘float’ above the exterior courtyard. The 100-seat auditorium is on the lowest level with its own entrance to the north. The building takes full advantage of the region’s tradition and expertise of working with in-situ con-crete. Passive design measures, high efficiency active systems and recycled water technologies minimise the building’s impact on the local and wider environment.

Issam Fares Institute Beirut, Lebanon

Architects Zaha Hadid Architects London, United Kingdom

Client American University of Beirut

Beirut, Lebanon

Commission 1995 Design 2007-2008 Construction 2011-2014 Occupancy 2014

Site 7'000 m2 Ground Floor n.a. Total Floor 3'000 m2

Costs n.a.

Programme This 3,000 m2 building is defined by the routes and connections within the American University of Beirut (AUB), introducing new links between the Central Oval with the forested area of the Middle Campus and sea beyond. Existing Ficus and Cypress trees are integral to the design. The building emerges from the geometries of intersecting routes as a series of interlocking platforms and spaces for research and discourse. The reading room, conference and research spaces ‘float’ above the exterior courtyard. The 100-seat auditorium is on the lowest level with its own entrance. The building’s construction is in-situ concrete, and passive design measures, high efficiency active systems and recycled water technologies minimise its impact on the environment.

Building Type Higher Education Facilities 2016 Award Cycle 4748.LEB

0 1m

5m

10m

20m

ISSAM FARES INSTITUTE IFI - Cross Section

12

56

4

11

12

9

10

8

7

3

1314

15

1. ReadingRoom2. Intern’s Office3. Roof Terrace4. Smart Zone5. Breakout Room 6. Translation Room7. Researcher’s Office8. Seminar Room9. External Covered Area10. Auditorium Main Entrance11. Lobby12. Void to Below13. Auditorium14. Projection Room15. Ventilation Cavity

111 113112

FRL m +11.85

FRL m +19.65

FRL m +15.75

FRL m+/- 0.00

- 5.04 m

FRL m +7.90

FRL m +3.95

FRL m -4.40

FRL m -6.40

The Oval

The Middle Campus

FRL m +21.90

FRL m +11.85

FRL m +19.65

FRL m +15.75

FRL m+/- 0.00

FRL m +7.90

FRL m +3.95

FRL m -4.40

FRL m -6.40

5m 20m

10m1m0

3

2

3

812 3

3 4

43

39

6

5 37

10

11

1

2

2

Issam Fares Institution IFI - Cross Section Through Atria

1. Smart Zone2. Atrium3. Lobby4. Entrance Lobby5. Auditorium 6. Ventilation Cavity7. Storage Room8. Seminar Room9. Sump Pit Room10. External Covered Area11. East Entrance12. Kitchen

102

Nicely Hall 1

102

RAMP

1

3 22222

2 4

2 5 6 6

2 4

89 10 11

12

13

77

14

ISSAM FARES INSTITUTE IFI - Cross Section

1. Roof Terrace 2. Researcher’s Office3. Workshop Lounge Area 4. Seminar Room5. Utilites Room 6. IFI Director’s Office7. Ventilation Cavity8. Mechanical Room9. Control Room10. Projection Room11. Translation Room12. Lobby13. External Covered Area14. Water Tank Nicely Hall 1

5m

10m0 1meter

20m

FRL m +21.90

FRL m +11.85

FRL m +19.65

FRL m +15.75

FRL m+/- 0.00

FRL m +7.90

FRL m +3.95

FRL m -4.40

FRL m -6.40

4748.LEB