We Design Beirut, held from May 23 to 26, 2024, was a remarkable four-day event focused on the themes of Preservation, Empowerment, and Sustainability. The event took place across several historically and architecturally significant sites in Beirut, transforming them into vibrant hubs for designer showcases, installations, talks, and workshops.
One of the standout exhibitions was PSLab’s ‘Metiers d’Art’, which celebrated and empowered master craftsmen and women. Additionally, the We Mediterranean project, a collaboration between five Italian architect studios and We Design Beirut, made its stop in Beirut, highlighting cultural exchange and innovative design. Villa Audi, a landmark location, hosted ‘Past Echoes: A Journey Through Middle Eastern Product Design’, curated by Babylon – The Agency. This exhibition showcased the rich heritage of Middle Eastern design, featuring over 30 regional product designers and seamlessly integrating their works within the historic villa.
The factory space, dubbed ‘WeSearch’, presented an exhibition of student designs from five Lebanese universities. Curated by Federica Sala, Anne-France Berthelon, and François Leblanc di Cicilia, the exhibition emphasized sustainability with a focus on eco-friendly materials. A poignant retrospective, ‘All things must(‘nt) pass: A subjective recount of Khalil Khouri’s life and career as a designer’, was curated by Bernard and Teymour Khoury. Held in the Interdesign building designed by Khouri, the exhibition provided a deep dive into his contributions to international design.
Open Studios allowed visitors to engage directly with local designers, artisans, and shops, offering a glimpse into their creative processes and philosophies. The event’s opening ceremony at Cinema Royal, a former cinema turned cultural center, evoked nostalgia for Lebanon’s artistic heyday of the ‘60s. Exclusive experiences included a private tour of the Oscar Niemeyer International Fair in Tripoli by East Architecture Studio, showcasing the site’s modernist architecture and historical significance.
We Design Beirut 2024 highlighted the vibrant design scene in the Arab world, fostering cultural exchange, innovation, and sustainability within the design community.
