HBA’s Dubai office has unveiled its design of the Kempinski Beirut, an opulent waterfront resort located in the heart of the Lebanese capital.
“We took inspiration from natural elements such as the cedar tree forest, the endless sunshine, and blues of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as places of cultural significance, like Mount Lebanon and the Byblos ruins, when we began the project,” says lead HBA designer and partner David T’Kint. “Various aspects of the Lebanese culture are reinterpreted through the design to create a continuous thread throughout the property.”
A Rub el Hizb eight-pointed star pattern spans the lobby’s beige floors, while a shimmering water wall flows from the 33-foot-tall ceilings to channel the essence of ancient ruins and regional mountains. Walls on the lobby’s right side are clad with gray cedar wood and intricate arabesque motifs carefully etched into several planks. The property’s original contemporary art collection draws an emotional connection between the interiors, location, and local culture.
The lobby lounge radiates warmth with the ambiance of a Lebanese home, drenched in natural light and balancing both subtle and vivid colors. Low-beamed ceilings with inset woven textures are reminiscent of local architecture and fishing culture, and semiprivate seating enclaves are partitioned with carved screens.
Rich burgundy and teal tones in the resort’s bar recall the nation’s vineyards, and reflective finishes amplify the volume of the small venue. Inset oval mirrors grace the ceiling to infuse a sense of lightness, while metal and wood screens with arabesque patterns create a layered effect. The all-day dining restaurant features a mint motif, with green and teal colors set against a beige backdrop and a green wall. The natural light-bathed eatery includes a white and gray woodplanked ceiling and upholstered wall panels juxtaposed with white architectural screens carved with decorative patterns.
The resort’s ballroom is also adorned with arabesque patterns in celebration of local architecture. Warm tones and white walls are balanced with cool gray hues to establish a neutral backdrop alongside the carpet’s gray biomorphic design. The scheme is complemented by the draping chandeliers crafted from crystal and lasercut metal, and cedar leaf patterns grace the doors.
Strong lines and geometric patterns define the 153 guestrooms and suites, which are amplified with architectural lighting to illuminate the cedar flower design on feature walls above headboards. The bathroom’s shower and tub are carved beige stone, while light slots feature a glass Mashrabiya pattern. The presidential suite includes a private study and a wood-clad dining room and lounge sculpted with oversized patterns and handwoven carpeting inspired by the texture of cedar bark. Mother of Pearl inlays add subtle detail to archways and furniture. Accented in burgundy and gold, the bridal suite hosts an upscale lounge influenced by the Majlis and features a triptych bedroom mirror and a headboard wall adorned with pearls and engraving reminiscent of a wedding gown.
