K Galleria

Location: Kaslik, Lebanon

Overview

Volumetrically, the building presents itself as a solid monolithic cubic element evoking the typical square layout of khans, with a shifted parallelepiped that breaks up the bulky look of the volume and generates the geometry of the main atrium. As a reference to the loopholes on the outer walls of Khan El Franj, the K Galleria elevations are partially traversed with vertical openings, creating an inviting and attractive building facade with strong visual relations with its contiguous exterior spaces, and allowing natural light and ventilation to enter the building, thus saving on energy. This contemporary interpretation of the vernacular is complemented with the sober choice of natural local white stone treated in a contemporary aspect, as the main building material.