ABC Dbayeh Department Store Façades

Beirut, Lebanon

The ABC department store expanded with a 25,000 m2 addition, creating a stunning ensemble where the architects focused on the design of the façades and massing. Four new aluminium and concrete volumes undergo horizontal and vertical shifts to break down the scale. Inspiration came from the haute couture sold within, and from ABC’s recognisable logo transformed into a dress-like pattern enveloping the building’s four volumes. Its silvery façade is an LED back-lit laser-cut aluminium screen, with apertures of varying size. In addition to creating a luminous icon at night, the new façade reduces solar heat gain from western exposure. Waste from nearly 3,000 aluminium cut-outs have been re-used as façade elements throughout the remaining three volumes.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture