Ada Dodge Garden at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Team: Mais Kalthoum, Liz Stark, Dilip Lakhani, Cesare Cardia
Awarded third place in the competition
The objective of this project is to design a garden for the American University of Beirut. The proposal focuses on three central themes: demonstrating the exquisite beauty of a dry botanic garden, connecting the primary features of the adjacent university buildings, and breaking out spaces for visitors.
The planting strategy ensures the University’s overall mission statement is upheld, honouring conservation, education and sustainability. All existing trees are retained, complimented by three distinct new planting zones of agaves, aloes and cacti. Each zone houses unique botanical collections to further establish the Ada Dodge as an exemplary garden.
These new habitats employ drought tolerant planting and water conservation techniques. The Ada Dodge Building and planted xeriscape become the new view, offering multiple focal points in addition to the existing sea horizon. The garden becomes a space for looking inwards; not just outwards. It brings people, and the University’s distinctive built and green cultural resources, together.
Historical features are credited through the used hard materials, from the vertical pillars of the West Hall extended in the form of bougainvillea columns, to sandstone typical of the area.
Seating space is fundamental to the design. Visitors and students can sit and enjoy this naturalistic space from the vibrant terraces or privately, in tranquillity, in the independent booths.