Family solidarity revival : restructuring Lebanese central hall

Abstract

Social and political aspects in Lebanon were considered as an essential factor in Lebanese architecture style modification. The shift to modern architecture and design were the outcome of lifestyle’s commercial events and foreign rules. In this prospect, many Lebanese architecture elements and prototypes waned as a result of this shift to modern architecture and change of lifestyles. One essential element/prototype was the Central Hall house, which was the social core of the Lebanese family. Thus, Central Hall, valued as a national Lebanese heritage, faded progressively, eliminating the central core of residential integrity where socio-cultural connection in families’ reunion was directly affected (Shayya & Arbid, 2010). Trying to deal with the fading Central Hall structure and familial value status, this research questions the possibility of reviving and re-considering the Lebanese layout, and if so the how. Accordingly, this research aims to propose a spatial systematic methodology to detect potential “living space,” inspired from our Lebanese residential Central Hall in terms of its social and structural aspects. The purpose of this research is twofold. The first is to ensure a better understanding of Central Hall background. The second is to propose a structural layout for “living” space. Researches as well as methodologies study will examine the Central Hall heritage, its origins and its interior structural modifications leading to its extinction throughout the years. In addition, research for related social and structural theories will serve as guidance to create a possible layout implementing “living” space in a Lebanese contemporary socio-conceptual approach. Through social and structural theories, an approach will be studied and applied on a case study, which will be software tested in a final stage to demonstrate its validity. This research will target readers, especially Interior Designers and Architects who are not primarily productive in our situation, but a sign of foreigner's social position. This study will encourage them to re-evaluate their designed residential layout, enhancing the essential role of interior spacing in socio-connection between family members.