Chouf embraces architectural heritage

BEIRUT: The Chouf region is digging deeper into Lebanon’s broad architectural heritage for the purpose of building or renovating homes and residences. The union of municipalities in the Chouf has recently adopted an initiative to preserve and spread the architectural heritage of the area. 

“The Chouf municipalities took a decision to revive traditional Lebanese architecture by making them apply to all new buildings or houses to be built,” said architect Wael Faraji, who is the project manager. 

The initiative also received the approval of Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Faraji added. 

Located in south-east of Lebanon, the Chouf is considered the heartland of the Druze community in the country. 

The Chouf region is home to some of the best-preserved examples of of 17th and 18th century provincial architecture in the country. 

It is renown for its old stepped streets, stone houses with red roofs, and walled gardens. 

Faraji explained that while urban and rural planning were two “missing concepts” in Lebanese society, “individual municipalities, especially in the Chouf region, were exerting significant efforts in that direction.” 

He added that the project was the result of “continuous efforts to preserve traditional Lebanese architecture, rather than a recent initiative.” 

“Since the year 2000 we have exerted extensive efforts to renovate the Chouf’s architectural vestiges,” Faraji said. 

The Chouf’s impressive traditional architecture can be seen in the numerous palaces and monuments throughout the area. 

According to Faraji, the Chouf municipalities have undertaken the renovation of the Fakhreddine Palace, the Beiteddine Palace, the Deir al-Qamar Mosque, the Mir Amine Palace, the Beiteddine Diocese, and the Takieddine Palace in Baaqline, among others. 

The Beiteddine Palace is a magnificent 19th century palace complex, with a style between traditional Arab and Italian baroque, as best craftsmen from Damascus and Aleppo as well as Italian architects were invited to adorn it. 

Faraji said the Chouf municipalities have made it mandatory for any one who wishes to build a residence to use limestone bricks and red tiles for the roofs. “More than 70 percent of the constructions built as of the year 2000 conform to those criteria,” he added. 

The architect added that between 10 to 20 percent of constructions built “strictly conform” to the traditional 18th and 19th century Lebanese provincial architecture. 

“They confirm to the last de-tail. You cannot really tell if these were built in the 21st century or 400 years ago,” he said. 

Faraji also expressed hope that municipalities across Lebanon would follow suit. 

“If this model is closely followed we will turn all our villages into model ones, which are extremely sought after by tourists,” he said. 

Faraji stressed that the Lebanese should be made aware about “the wealth of our architectural heritage.” He said reviving traditional Lebanese architecture did no “go against modernity and economic, real estate and social development.” 

Faraji added that the preservation on Lebanese architectural traditions will “greatly benefit” the real-estate sector. 

“It is imperative that the Lebanese learn to respect and preserve their architectural traditions,” he said.