Abi Saab Memorial
IGA role: Full design
Location: Thoum, Lebanon
In the loving memory of Michel Abi Saab, a memorial is planned to be built near the main Church of Thoum Village. The memorial is intended to host spiritual ceremonies and eventually other events to commemorate Michel’s active social life.
When approaching the site from the main road, a steep slope is planted with Lavandula that draws the attention of the passer by, animates the place with a mauve purple color and spread a nice odor around the memorial.
The access to the memorial follows the topography of the land and unfolds gradually as one goes up to culminate in a calm and serene place (evoking Michel’s path) where the altar can be located towards the East. East being the direction adopted in all the old churches and often means a new dawn of a new day or the resurrection.
The internal space communicates strongly with the surrounding landscape. The pedestrian path skirts the existing line of trees towards the east, and then uses the one to the west as a protective screen from the road and the late afternoon sun before it ends into the covered space completely open towards the church.
Finally the materials can be really pure and inspired from the nature itself to reflect Michel’s modest character and refined taste: local stone cladding for the walls, crushed stone in some areas, plane concrete flooring. The light, whether natural or artificial at night, has also its role in providing a warm and welcoming ambiance.
