Inside and out, much of this rugged yet sleek home in Lebanon was executed by local artisans, pairing modernist restraint with refined stonework and stunning panoramic views.
"What excites me most is the possibility of transforming intangible emotions into physical spaces. Each project is an opportunity to create atmospheres that move people, whether through the resonance of a carved stone bench, the glow of a handcrafted lantern, or the orientation of a space that frames a landscape,” says architect Carl Gerges, who is based between Beirut and Paris. Gerges designs every detail of his projects “to enhance a moment of the day”, with particular care given to nature and mindful living.
A case in point is his recently designed Villa A in the mountains of Faraya, Lebanon’s winter town. Its clean horizontal lines are influenced by Modernism, while its proportions ebb and flow with its surroundings. “The architecture harmonises with the dramatic setting,” says Gerges, who used a restrained palette of stone, concrete and wood indoors and out. The home’s uncluttered interior exudes an air of calm, with a panoramic glass façade opening onto uninterrupted mountain views; a series of skylights bathes the house in light, which shifts between cool and warm tones at various times of day.
Also read: Architect Carl Gerges’ Open-Air Majlis Is a Sight To Behold
Gerges says that his practice is increasingly moving towards “projects that focus on storytelling, craft and heritage”, and Villa A embodies that in its artistic treatment of stone, which appears in numerous guises throughout the property. The organic boulders of the façade are reshaped as hand-cut tiles on the porch and pool, as floor mosaics, as gravel in the garden (which lends texture and colour to the rocky terrain, erupting in a carpet of flowers come spring), and as various tessellated surfaces indoors. Much of the work was executed by local artisans, reflecting the architect's long-standing mission to support Lebanese creatives.
The reinvention of Middle Eastern tradition is also apparent in Gerges’ upcoming projects beyond this charming home in Lebanon, including a Dubai restaurant “inspired by Arab constellations and Mediterranean heritage,” as the architect puts it. Wellness, and “spaces devoted to balance and renewal”, are of growing importance in his work. “Clients today are looking for spaces that go beyond function and luxury,” he reflects. “They want environments that feel immersive, both emotionally and sensorially.” @carlgerges
