LOCATION - Situated within walking distance from the National Museum, the Beirut Hippodrome, the French Cultural Center, St Joseph University and the vibrant Down Town, Badaro 3696 enjoys a prime location.Badaro’s neighborhood predominant architecture dates back from the 1960's and 1970's, displaying late modernism trends on stucco colored building. CONTEXT - Facing traditional townhouses and residential buildings from the 60s, one cannot help but cling onto the prestige and luxury the existing building represented to its tenants and the neighborhood, offering around 4m of clear height, and an open view onto the main street ‘Damascus Boulevard’, as well as the beautiful private garden in the back.With the demolishment of an existing building with a historical architectural value, Badaro 3696 finds itself taking part of the restructuring of the neighborhood, as the surrounding new buildings thrive to go higher, much higher than the predominant line of horizon.MASSING STUDY - The playful flipping of the apartments bestows a dynamic image to the building- The protruding balconies enhance the views from the apartments, provide shade to the apartments below, and act as terraces for the apartments above- The stepped terraces invite greenery up from the ground floor to the penthouse- The sliding folding sun-breakers ensure the necessary privacy and shading, while animating the facades.DESIGN CRITERIA - Meet the new street elevation height on Damascus Boulevard- Provide view clearance for both apartments on both the main street and the garden, as well as side views- Liberate the G.F. to ensure a welcoming building entrance and a safe green playground - Elevate the space quality of the small apartments into double height lofts- Stack the apartment units in a way to ensure a 4m clear height for all the reception areas by flipping the apartments and resting the reception area on the 3m high night time area- Allow for green terraces to creep up the building- Crown the building with a beautiful penthouse - Animate the neighborhood with a dynamic elegant façade fit for the image of Kettaneh Real Estate