Located atop a magnificent hill in Ghouma, in the Batroun region of Lebanon, the project by architects Walid Ghantous and Patrick Mezher of BLANKPAGE Architects ingeniously combines two houses within a single structure overlooking a verdant valley and offering panoramic sea views. Designed as a “balcony-belvedere”, the binomial residence is a pure jewel in the heart of nature.
Two beautiful residences, one for the client, the other for his parents, united in a single setting nestled on a high hill in Ghouma, in the Batroun region, such is the magnificently executed project led by architects Walid Ghantous and Patrick Mezher of BLANKPAGE Architects. To reduce the impact of excavation and retaining walls on such a steep site, two floors were built projecting from the cliff. The more solid lower level houses the bedrooms of both houses, separated by a Japanese-style meditation room with a raised wooden platform surrounded by greenery on three levels. The living areas and open kitchens enjoy uninterrupted views over the vast landscape. By sliding the aluminum windows, these spaces open onto the outside, reinforcing the impression of living on a balcony. A reception area with infinity pool conceals the sunken parking area and provides a ramp to the main house. The pool terrace is also connected by a bridge to the villa’s roof, which serves as an additional outdoor living area. The base of the building is composed of an inner shell of exposed concrete and an outer shell of corrugated concrete, giving it a mineral effect and serving as a backdrop for the rosemary bushes growing in the planters. The concrete and steel upper level features a profiled wing-shaped roof clad in white composite materials. Powered by solar panels, the dwellings are completely self-sufficient in sunny weather, providing a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature in all seasons.
