After conflict comes architecture. Built to house a Japanese restaurant in 2005, this building stands on the demarcation line of what was East and West Beirut. In the images, traces of past shelling can be seen on the adjacent buildings. In the urban sense the architecture marks this boundary of conflict with what at first appears like a monument of some sort, but is in fact a restaurant – a sign of normality.
The building, by Bernard Khoury/DW5, has two below ground levels and three above ground. A somewhat bizarre sounding 'mobile reception room' connects the levels and animates the centre of the plan according to he architect. Whilst being intentionally over-exposed it is used as a device around which to order the seating.
