Project M – Bechwat


Project: Project M - Bechwat

Footprint: 1,848 m²

Built-up area: 5,270 m²

Land area: 25,000 m²

Category: Military

Status: Suspended

Address: Bechwat, Bekaa, Lebanon

The design


Located in the heart of the Bekaa Valley at an altitude of 1300 m, in an area with extreme weather conditions, Bechwat military base for the Lebanese Army Rangers was designed to accommodate more than 500 soldiers. Inspired from video games, and childhood computer games, this base used every single detail to reflect the strength, agility and solidity, 3 main features reflecting the spirit and aggressiveness of our rangers.

The challenge


Spread among 16000m2, surrounded by a defensive wall and 4 towers, the project is oriented on 2 main axes creating a central intersection as a meeting point of the entire project. Reinforced concrete, is the main key element in designing the building, giving it a strength and robust approach while giving the interior space a safe defensive shell from any attack.
Small fenestrations were created avoiding any contact with the exterior keeping in mind the safety of the sleeping units. The layout of the project took advantage of the existing slope to fuse the project within, creating underground functions with emergency escape tunnels towards the surrounding dunes. External landscaped spaced were designed as a continuation of the axis created by the volumes, hosting any additional troops in case of emergencies, while serving as sports and outdoor training facilities in regular days.

Each extruded box, embrace a different function, as each volume will have a different function, the project is divided between private, highly secured and public section for visitors and meeting places. Large parking spaces are located around the base, while an underground secured storage space is provided for military classified purpose.