Revitalizing Tradition: Exploring Hamat House
Preserving Heritage in a Modern Context
Nestled within the historic village of Hamat, the Hamat House stands as a testament to traditional Lebanese architecture. Designed by platau, this project serves as an extension to an existing historic house, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary design elements. Built in the early 20th century, the original house boasts local white limestone construction, surrounded by lush fruit orchards and offering panoramic views of the coastal landscape.
Honoring Architectural Heritage
The essence of traditional domestic architecture is preserved and celebrated through the new addition to the Hamat House. Drawing inspiration from the original stone construction, the new extension takes the form of an abstract white cube, clad in the same white stone as the original house. Vertical stone pieces adorn the cube’s facade, mimicking the traditional stone lintels and creating a cohesive aesthetic. Strategically positioned glass openings punctuate the facade, allowing natural light to filter into the interior spaces, while maintaining a visual connection with the surrounding landscape.
Blending Tradition with Modernity
The program for the extension includes a kitchen and additional living spaces on the ground floor, along with a master bedroom on the first floor. An interior vertical circulation connects the separate levels, revealing and enhancing the architectural qualities of the existing house. A glazed circulation space, spanning two stories, floods the interior with natural light and establishes a renewed relationship with the outdoors. The intervention in the garden is minimal, with existing fruit and olive trees retained to maintain the site’s natural beauty.
Harmony of Old and New
The intervention at Hamat House juxtaposes tradition with modernity, creating a dialogue between past and present. By abstracting the rational form of the existing cube and introducing playful design elements, platau highlights the evolving nature of architectural construction. The result is a harmonious blend of old and new, where contemporary design principles breathe new life into traditional Lebanese architecture, preserving heritage for generations to come.
Hamat House stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of Lebanon’s architectural heritage, offering a glimpse into the past while embracing the possibilities of the future.
